Get your Specialized 29er…
December 14th, 2005 by Tim GrahlTires!
Yes Specialized Fast Trak Pro tires (size 29×2.0) are due to arrive in their warehouse any day now. From there, there’s a few extra days of inspection and quality assurance before they can actually be let out the door. So they are about a week from going on sale.
But take the part number 0016-0285 to your LBS to put your order in.
And yes the question does arise… Why are you making a tire and not a bike? R&D costs, blah, blah, blah. I’ve already gone off on that.
I still think they have something up their sleeve, although everyone there is still saying they have no knowledge of any plans for a 29 inch wheeled platform.
What is RSS?
Get our articles in your inbox:
If I were them, with this difficult dilemma, I’d hire a few external guys, and lend them Specialized engineering tools and logistics. Much like Ritchey and Syncros. Set up a 29″-only brand, or one that can simply try out stuff Specialized doesn’t dare to put their own name on yet.
I’d be very paranoid in a changing market such as MTB, and not have a backup plan in place.
I just checked with a Specialized shop and the Tires are available. $35.00
weight? comparison to little albert’s??
Around 600g. About twice the width of Little alberts, and half the rolling resistance. This 2.0 would be called 2.3 at most companies.
given the dramatic differences with the little albert why would anyone buy these heavy and wider tires?? I still think the alberts are much better ….
I think the Little Alberts in reality are actually heavier than 600g, what were yours? Much better maybe, but only for hightly specific circumstances, and for bikes that don’t take larger tires. I would say LA’s are more for the really loose, the FT’s for real hardpack.
I had the 26″ LA’s, and found them weird handling, slow rolling, with silly amounts of traction I couldn’t find a use for.
I for one went 29″ to have big tires, LA’s are cyclocross all over again (well, almost).
Considering you nickname, I can understand you may look for pure traction more than handling and rolling.
I appreciate your help on this tire choice…the LA’s are per their website 575 grams but sometimes heavier out of the box…what are your thoughts on the maxxis ignitor 29er which is about 575 grams per the maker…I really do need the better tire for mostly hard pack and the infrequent sand pit…I’m worried the specialized won’t fit my frame if they are 2.3 like in size…will await your comments or those of others on the maxxis ignitor 2.1 tire…thans a lot…pretty snowy here in Michigan at moment…
What frame is that? The Specializeds are nothing extraordinary, just so happens not many wider 29″ tires exist.
I don’t have the Ignitors, but all reports say 580-590g as far as I remember. I like Bontrager XR’s for deep sand, even wider. FT’s are fine in sand, at least better than most 26″ tires in existence.
talking about an orbea 29er…the frame does not accomodate extremely wide tires and the company knows it but 2006 is said to be improved on this issue…plenty of room on the 292 fisher