After a long-awaited nine-month tease, Specialized has finally unveiled its new tubeless cotton tires, and they're here to shake things up!
The iconic Turbo Cotton and Cotton tires have been a part of Specialized's lineup for years, with a rich history in the cycling world. But here's where it gets controversial: these tires have been spotted in the wild as early as June 2025, with their logos discreetly Sharpied out at the Critérium du Dauphiné. So, why the long wait for an official launch?
Specialized's tire range can sometimes feel like a maze, but let's unravel it together. The original Turbo Cotton is still available in 24, 26, and 28mm sizes, sporting those distinctive golden/yellow sidewalls. There's also the HOTN (Hell of the North) version, offering extra protection and tread, but it's no longer available on the website.
Then we have the 'Turbo Cotton Folding Racing Only' tire, a 320TPI beauty with T2/T5 compounds and a cotton casing, but it's designed for tubes only.
Fast forward to last year's Opening Weekend, and we spotted teams rocking the S-Works Turbo TLR tire, easily identified by its unique sidewall color and hot patch logo. This model is tubeless-friendly and offers a wider range of sizes up to 30mm.
And this is where things get interesting. It seems there was a demand for a tubeless tire with the characteristics of the cotton sidewalled model, but in a larger size. Enter the Cotton TLR, with a polyester core and a cotton wrap, designed to work seamlessly with tubeless sealant.
Specialized boasts that these new tires combine the feel of cotton with the speed and precision of modern tubeless technology. But here's a fun fact: the press material reveals that only six pairs of these tires originally existed! Bora Hansgrohe got their hands on them and allegedly refused to give them back, prompting Specialized to go into full production.
What's more, at Opening Weekend, we noticed a clear sealant applied to the Cotton tires used by Red Bull Bora. The team mechanic claimed it was for protection, but we're digging deeper to uncover the full story.
The Cotton TLR tires will be available in 38, 30, and 32mm sizes, with weights of 280, 290, and 320 grams respectively. They feature a 320 TPI construction and utilize Specialized's Gripton T2/T5 compound.
Specialized has been on a roll, launching five new tires just under a year ago, including the S-Works Turbo TLR. The brand also assures us that these tires are manufactured to ISO standards for a seamless tubeless setup.
So, what do you think? Are these new tubeless cotton tires a game-changer, or just a clever marketing move? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Tom, our tech writer, has a unique perspective on these tires. With a background in English Literature and over a decade of experience as a qualified mechanic, he brings a fresh approach to cycling tech. He's ridden and raced bikes across various disciplines, and his keen eye for pro-team tech makes him an expert in spotting the latest innovations.
During his time at Cyclingnews, Tom has interviewed cycling legends like Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar, and Alberto Contador. He's also covered launches from top brands, tackled challenging sportives, tested countless products, and provided invaluable buying advice.
So, join us in welcoming Tom's insights and let's discuss the future of cycling tech together!
