Review: Specialized Pathfinder Pro 700/650b 2Bliss Tires

Fast-rolling and grippy on gravel, dirt and pavement — that’s what the new Specialized Pathfinder tires are targeting. And, after extensive testing of both the 700x38c and 650x47c versions, these tires are great for anything you can throw at them.

Specialized Pathfinder Pro Tires 700×38 & 650×47 Features:

• 2Bliss casing makes for easy tubeless install
• Available in tan or black sidewalls
• 120 TPI casing
• Folding bead
• GRIPTON® compound
• Endurant Casing and BlackBelt flat protection
• Weight: 490 grams (700x38c), 555 grams (650x47mm) — actual
• MSRP: $45

Find your own path 2Bliss

When released, the new Pathfinder Pro tires had my summer plans written all over them. With a trip to the Midwest in June and SBT GRVL in August, the search for the perfect all-road tire pointed squarely to the Pathfinder Pro. But, would the 700×38 or 650×47 become the best go-to rubber? That gets a little murky, but it’s fair to say both are great options heading into 100 miles of blissful Colorado gravel.

I’ve had the 700c’s mounted up to the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels while the 650b’s were mounted on the Roval CLX 32 650b wheels. Both were set up exclusively tubeless, using Bontrager sealant.

Installation of the 700×38 Pathfinders was entirely tool and curse-free with my thumbs doing all the work. Mounting was a breeze and seating them up with the Blackburn Chamber Tubeless Pump was quick-and-easy.

The 650b’s are a little more stubborn on the Roval CLX 32 650b’s, but can still be installed without tools. Removal, however, is pretty difficult (e.g. I resorted to a tire lever), should the need arise. Regardless of tire size, my pro tip is to keep an eye on that direction arrow before mounting these up. I may or may not have had that issue. 

Road testing the Pathfinder Pro

Out on the road, both tire sizes perform very well with that wide, fast-rolling center channel at 35-40 psi. Depending on the terrain, I raised and lowered the pressure accordingly. Over the course of a long, 3000 ft. road climb, the 700×38’s yielded slightly to faster, narrower tires. I’d say there is a 5-8% efficiency loss as compared to fast-rolling 28mm tires, which added about 6-8 minutes to my average time.

Other comparison tests between both the 650b and 700c versions showed that they are consistently about 5% slower on extended climbs as compared to fast-rolling road tires. Again, this is to be expected and shouldn’t be a big deal, but just be aware. What’s awesome about their on-road performance is the sheer comfort and ability to dart onto any gravel or dirt road you may encounter. As an added bonus on the road, hitting the shoulder, if needed, is no big deal. Potholes? Also, no big deal. Try that with 28mm road tires.

What’s flat-out amazing about these tires on the road is the sheer grip they offer when cornering at speed. The 3000 ft. climb above turns into a whale of a downhill with twisty, turny corners that, with the Pathfinder 700×38’s, felt like a playground. The angulation you can achieve with the Pathfinders is off-the-charts as I’ve  enjoyed every curvy downhill I’ve encountered.

Getting gravelly

Mixed road/dirt rides are just what the Pathfinder is made for. That fast-rolling center is awesome on pavement and those tear-shaped side knobs make for excellent dirt performance. I’ve been able to push these tires hard on gravel and really love how they hook up on climbs, flats and descents.

As with all tires, you can get the rear tire to let loose on climbs, but a little balance goes a long way and I’ve been surprised at the terrain these can tackle. Short, steep, rocky, anaerobic climbs can be powered through with excellent traction. And, rolling gravel with mixed climbs are great — with excellent efficiency on fast sections. What you see below is a mile of mixed gravel (smooth and rocky) with a couple of little punchy climbs mixed in. I was a mere 1 second off my best time, and I wasn’t even pushing hard.

Without question, the Pathfinder Pro’s are going to be my tire of choice heading into SBT GRVL 2019. And, the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V’s will likely be the chosen wheelset as well. With their generous 25mm internal width, the 38’s measure out to 38.75mm. (see below for my actual wheel/tire combo of choice)

When going 650b, traction increases a little on gravel and they still roll along just as fast. While the treads do look smaller than the WTB Byway 47’s, they measure out to a full 47.12mm on the Roval CLX 32’s. Optical illusion, I guess.

I’ll add that the smooth center tread does make for awesome riding on roads and smooth gravel, but reduces traction when climbing technical/loose terrain. The grippy edge knobs grab quite well when cornering through rough stuff, but steep, rocky climbs do leave something to be desired.

Post SBT GRVL Update (8/19/2019): I actually chose to run the 650b tires with the Roval CLX 32 650b wheels for the SBT GRVL Blue course and I could not have been happier. I was blown away by how fast they rolled on the course and that added tire width made quick work out of the many loose corners on the course. I’m a believer in 650b’s for gravel riding and racing. 

The Good

• Great traction for mixed roads
• Rolls well on long road stretches
• Installed without tools
• Seats up in a jiffy
• Makes mountainous descents a blast
• Great handling when terrain gets dicey
• Affordably-priced

The Bad

• I needed tire levers to remove the 650b’s
• Climbing traction on steep, loose or rocky terrain is lacking
• Do roll slower than dedicated road tires (obviously)

The Bottom Line: Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss

After testing both flavors of tire in a variety of conditions, I’m a fan. These seat up well and stay inflated mounted up to both the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V and Roval CLX 32 650b carbon clinchers. I’m already confidently heading into SBT GRVL with the 700×38’s. Handling is excellent on all terrain and traction is excellent on most gravel routes while the center treads allow for fast-rolling on the road that’s only slightly slower than dedicated road tires.

Buy Now: Visit Specialized.com