[Closed] Specalized Control Casings

I've had a few pairs, captains and fastracks. They were pretty good all in, seemed to last well and got binned when the tread wore out. They weren't the best tubeless though. Which Bonty tyres did you use? I've been using Bonty TLRs for a while and they've been great, seem plenty tough and work better for me tubeless the the specialised control 2bliss tyres.

I've never had a problem with them - Captains, Purgs and Ground Control - and they've had plenty of ill-treatment in the Dales and Lakes. Whether they are flintslash-resistant is another matter (is anything?).

Currently on the XR2 - I like the tyre and they seem to grip well. The side walls have stood up better than anything else.

They do seem slightly heavy at 630g!

I may just try an XR1 on the rear.

I had a Sauserwind and still have a Purgatory.

The Sauserwind wore very quickly and started to show the threads in the sidewall about 3-4 months after I started using it. I think it's a fairly lightweight trail tyre.

The Purgatory has fared much better, seems to wear well and no issues with punctures or cuts.

I ride all over the place but most recently have spent the weekend in the Peak with no cuts or punctures.

Specialized ran a tyre replacement scheme a little while ago, meaning you could send an old knackered tyre in and they'd give you a special price on the new one. If I happen to find the link in my emails I'll post it up.

EDIT: Just found the link ( http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/news/latest-news/18089
) but it's dead. Sorry!

Control means different things in different tyres, it more or less means "tubeless and tough-ish for this sort of tyre" I think. I can't comment from a racy point of view but I'm really liking the Captain Control and it's doing duty in the back of a 6 inch bike with a Butcher on the front- no problems toughness wise. Used it as a front on the XC bike where it was also good.

Schwalbe XC stuff I always found bad for cuts, especially in the tread- snakeskin only protects the sidewalls, the rest of the carcass is delicate.

I use Spesh control tyres on very similar terrain to you (ie chalky, with bits of flint) and generally I find them extremely good. Last year however I went through a spate of ripping sidewalls - I managed to tear five in the space of three months - but since then it's been fine.

Control casings aren't as tough as a "proper" UST, you may find they die quickly but the payoff is that they're a decent weight and they grip reasonably well.

Never ripped a Control tyre sidewall, but did put quite a large cut into the treaded face of a Captain that was on the rear while riding in Spain.
The tyre still stayed inflated (tubeless) and I used it for probably another 6 months before changing it, just in case it tore open a long way from home.

I've got a few holes in the side of a purgatory control, stans fluid seemed to fill them up, the last one was pretty bad though and seemed to weep constantly, started to bulge to. That said it did 16 months so I would say that's good going.

I have a 29er storm control - flimsy shite IME (new forest flint, holed sidewall on 1st ride. Can't believe I didn't send it back when it arrived; so thin)

I ride the Kent North Downs which are flinty in places. I have a purgatory grid on the back, which is 5 quid dearer, but more rugged. Early days, but it seems ok.

Had a purgatory control on my back for about 2 weeks and 20ish miles- total bobbins, 3 sidewall holes and now weeping all over. £30 wasted.

I ride trail centres and South Downs/qecp fine in wales destroyed in one lap of qe.

Avoid! Avoid! Avoid!

Meanwhile I've done a stack of riding including the enduro world series, the 3 SES rounds, and buckets of JRA on Butcher Controls without the slightest bother.