Specialized has a new version of its Eliminator tyre out, the tread has been completely redesigned with chunkier lugs, and overall it looks like a much better option for this summer. Most obviously, the shoulder knobs are now much bigger and higher, which Specialized reckons increases cornering stability, and the edges are now less ramped for more outright grip.

There’s also a new version of the Butcher, which in its old format remains one of the best mountain bike tyres out there. Again the tread design has been rejigged, with 12% more block surface contact with the ground, better damping and an increased tread height for grip in the mud, Spesh claims.

The Butcher now gets taller shoulder lugs, and they’re bigger and more square to inrease contact with the trail

Last week Specialized launched its new XC tyres, the Fast Trak and Air Trak, and now it’s the turn of trail and gravity to get some fresh rubber.

Eliminator and Butcher changes

Both new tyres come in two different casings, Grid Trail for trail riding, and Grid Gravity for downhill and enduro. The Grid Gravity casing has been made more compliant and softer in feel, something Schwalbe tried with its Albert Radial Gravity Pro tyres, which boasted of a radial construction.

The Grid Gravity casing has been designed softer and more compliant

“We adjusted construction of our Grid Gravity casing for more flexibility, better ground adaption and more traction,” Wolf VormWalde from Specialized told me. “…we wanted more give in the crown of the tire to enable the tread to wrap over rocks and roots easier. We want as much of the tread blocks and the compound in touch with the ground to dampen impact and to clench the dirt.”

The Trail casing versions are already more compliant because the bead to bead protection is arranged in three separate and thus flexible panels.

Where to use Eliminator and Bucher

Specialized is pointing riders towards the Butcher up front, and the Eliminator on the back. You then pick the casing according to your riding.

This is because the Eliminator Grid Trail gets the faster rolling but less grippy T7 rubber compound, and the Grid Gravity uses T7 down the middle and softer T9 on the side lugs.

The Eliminator on the left now gets bigger shoulder lugs than the old version; the Butcher has more of a spike so should do better in soft ground

Bucher sizes, prices and weight

• 27.5×2.2 Grid Trail T9, 1000g
• 29×2.4 Grid Trail T9, 1048g
• 29×2.4 Grid Trail T9 TAN, 1048g
• 29×2.6 Grid Trail T9, 1110g
• 27.5×2.4 Grid Gravity T9, 1260g
• 29×2.4 Grid Gravity T9, 1307g
• 29×2.6 Grid Gravity T9, 1330g
• Butcher Grid Trail T9 £50 (€60), Butcher Grid Gravity T9 £55 (€70).

Eliminator sizes, prices and weight

• 27.5×2.4 Grid Trail T9 TAN, 975g
• 27.5×2.4 Grid Trail T9, 975g
• 29×2.4 Grid Trail T9 TAN, 1004g
• 29×2.4 Grid Trail T9, 1004g
• 27.5×2.4 Grid Gravity T7/T9, 1240g
• 29×2.4 Grid Gravity T7/T9, 1330g
• Eliminator Grid Trail  £50 (€60), Eliminator Grid Gravity £55 (€70)