The Specialized Eliminator GRID TRAIL 2Bliss Ready is designed for enduro riding, can handle downhill situations well, and behaves nicely on hardpack. It rolls excellently too, but it takes a while to learn to get the best out of it.

We’ve got the Eliminator in 27.5 x 2.6” with Specialized’s GRIPTON compound and trail casing, and there are two 29er versions in the four-spec range as well. The centre tread is reasonably chunky, tall and widely spaced, and it’s paired with very even and closely spaced shoulder knobs.

Chucked on a rim with a 30mm internal width, the Eliminator blows up pretty round, which does great things for rolling efficiency but doesn’t help outright grip. More on that later…

2020 specialized eliminator on rim.jpg
2020 specialized eliminator on rim (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Installing the tyre is easy thanks to the floppy casing, although that same softness didn’t initially inspire tonnes of confidence while navigating trail chunk. Nevertheless, I never managed to hit the rim on rocky trails.

In a straight line, the Eliminator rolls really smoothly. There’s plenty of climbing grip thanks to those centre knobs, but once you get into some corners the tyre gets… interesting… regardless of trail dampness.

2020 specialized eliminator tread close 2.jpg
2020 specialized eliminator tread close 2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Having tried the Eliminator on both ends of the bike, I find it best suited to the rear. At the front it’s a bit unpredictable in the corners due to its rounded profile and soft casing. It’s not ideal for keeping your face from sampling fine dirt.

2020 specialized eliminator tread close.jpg
2020 specialized eliminator tread close (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

At the back, however, that unpredictability becomes more of a fun quirk that just takes some learning. Square off a berm a smidge and the tyre punishes you by spitting out into a slide, but once you figure out when and how it slides, it becomes a really fun bit of rubber, letting you to drift fairly easily once you’re talking its language.

2020 specialized eliminator diagonal.jpg
2020 specialized eliminator diagonal (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Put a bit more thought into leaning the bike properly and railing corners with proper technique, and you’re finally rewarded with grip.

Performance-wise, I think the Eliminator is best described as a chunky, aggressive and versatile kind of semi-slick, and as such it needs to be treated similarly in order to achieve proper grip.

2020 specialized eliminator tread dia.jpg
2020 specialized eliminator tread dia (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

If you’re looking for outright traction, the Eliminator isn’t for you. However, it’s a pretty good deal at £45. When treated properly it grips well enough, and if mistreated it throws a mini fit in the corners. Learn the traits and you’ve got a fun tyre that either grips or drifts, depending on which mode you’re riding in.

You might also like:

Test report Specialized Eliminator GRID TRAIL 2Bliss Ready tyre review £45.00

Tyres

All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.