Now with the growing gravel grinder segment and the shouts for non-UCI compliant cyclocross tires for the masses, Specialized has recognized the need for a lighter, folding version of the higher volume 38c Trigger, and we spotted a prototype of the tire on former Masters Cyclocross National Champion James Alan Coat’s bike prior to the 2014 Lost and Found gravel race this past weekend.
Specialized has been working on a new line of cyclocross tubular tires for several years now, and with input from riders like 2010 National Champion Todd Wells, it developed several prototypes last season. The Specialized Tracer cyclocross tire comes in three configurations: the 290tpi, 423g Tracer Tubular, the folding 282g Tracer Pro clincher, and the Tracer Sport wire bead clincher (weights are average of early prototypes, as measured by Cyclocross Magazine) . All three models are listed at 33c to fall within UCI regulations. Our early tubular versions measured out at 32c, and Specialized informed us that the production versions will have slightly larger casings.