Editors Note: Yeah, yeah…..another year end review! Tis the season! So, here are my favorite things that have passed through the Twenty Nine Inches review process during the past year. I want to point out a few parameters that I used for what I chose here.
1. The product had to be in the review process during the time period of December 2010 through to the end of November 2011. Reviews that are currently in process I did not include and will be eligible for my 2012 Top Ten list.
2. They had to be products or bicycles that I personally used during this period. Nothing any of the other Twenty Nine Inches staff reviewed on their own could be considered for my list. This list doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinions of anyone but me, Guitar Ted.
3. The reviewed products were provided to Twenty Nine Inches at no charge for review.(Except where indicated) I was not paid or bribed for this review. I will give/gave my honest opinion or thoughts through out.
That said, let’s get on with this……
Number Nine: Specialized’s Ground Control 29″er Tires: Specialized has had a “Ground Control” tire off and on in its tire line for almost as long as they have been making mountain bikes. This is the first time they have brought out the model name in awhile and when they did, they hot patched it to a 29″er sized chunk-o-rubber. See my “Sneak Peek” and “Part II” posts on this tire, (tested as a prototype), here and here.
Why They Made The List: These tires are designed in a new way by Specialized using FEA analysis and “Adaptive Tread Design” which is claimed to give better rolling resistance while not sacrificing traction abilities. This all wrapped up in a 2Bliss casing weighing less than 600 grams for a 2.1″ width. Pretty impressive, but Specialized also claimed 18% better rolling resistance compared to tires not using these technologies. That’s a pretty stout tech list and the tires seemed to back up the claims.
My Two Cents: Specialized showed me a big commitment to the 29″er by hauling out the hallowed, old Ground Control moniker and sticking it on a 29″er tire. But it isn’t just a marketing ploy. They actually used some cutting edge technology on these tires, and in my viewpoint, it works. These might not be as wide a ranging “all arounder” as The Captain tires which Specialized also makes, but they aren’t far behind, and they definitely roll better.
The Ground Control has great traction too. The casing is supple, and of course, it sets up tubeless really easily. All through the test, these tires were always fun to ride, felt fast, and never gave me any issues. Offered in 1.9 and 2.1 inch widths, the Ground Control is only missing a wider variant, which I think this tread design is very worthy of. That said, I am fully impressed with the way Specialized made a grippy tire roll like a fast, XC type tire. That’s why it is Number 9 on my Top Ten 29″er Products list this year.
Stay tuned for more from Guitar Ted and c_g’s Euro Top Ten coming soon!
I’ve got to agree, the ground control tire is far better at cornering than the captain was.
In areas of hard lean angles and kitty litter over hard, the captain would wash out unpredictably at times when used as a front tire, the ground control however digs in and holds a line and carves corners like a racing ski. Climbing bite is about the same, however the captain is offered in a larger volume casing than the control but I’m sure that will change. Rolling is good with the captain but the new control and new fast trak are effortless to pedal. Looking forward to larger sizes in the future.
@all…while I had the ear of the Specialized tire guy, I put in a suggestion that a 2.3″ version of this tire would be a killer SS rim protector.
I just did a night ride that was a slick in places post rain ride on the OS Blackbuck and the Ground Control was up to the task. Our clay here packs anything up, but it held its ground and got me home rubber side down. Really good all-rounder.
grannygear
How would you compare the Ground Control to the new Bonty 29-4?
@Gavin: No comparison. The Bonty is a bigger, more voluminous tire. The Specialized GC rolls faster, and is lighter, more toward the XC spectrum. I would say they actually compliment one another, rather than compete for the same territory.
Gotta’ say, I do love many things about this tire. Traction like velcro, rolls fast, smooth as butter.
Alas, they have to come off the Jet9. Couldn’t make it 30 miles before ripping the sidewall (on the least rocky trail where I ride here in NJ). When I got ’em I was a little concerned how thin the side walls were. Pitty, I was really digging these–but today was the first time in over 4 years I had any tire problem on the trail; maybe a fluke, but I doubt it.
So, if I was the king of Specialized, I too would make a (true*)2.3 version, but with a little tougher sidewall. My golly that’d be a great tire.
*the 2.1 never grew past 2″ for me.
Gotta’ go clean up my ol’ AKA TNTs and throw ’em back on now…