Need a new set of all-around XC / light trail tyres for my Transition Spur and been looking at the well-received Specialized Ground Control / Fast Trak as they're half the price of Maxxis / Schwalbe.
Am I right to believe that the T7 compound is similar to a Maxxis MaxxTerra, and a T5 is going to be more like a MaxxSpeed i.e. pretty hard and not very grippy?
Current setup is the stock Dissector front / Rekon rear which has been great but wouldn't mind giving up a touch of grip for a bit more speed as my local riding involves covering quite a bit of dirt and gravel road to get to anything resembling a trail.
Kind of leaning towards Ground Control T5 front / Fast Trak T5 rear but also considering Ground Control T7 front and back for more of an allrounder.
I've got a pair of T7 Ground Controls on my Fuel EX, and I honestly think they're great. Have handled everything I've thrown at them from dusty summer to sloppy winter, plus this year's Puffer. Good balance of grip and speed. Easy tubeless setup, durability pretty good (probably need to replace the rear soon, after about a year of fairly regular riding). Can't comment on anything T5 but I've no regrets on T7. Might be tempted with a Fast Trak rear for more speed, but the GCs have, for me, been fit and forget. Plus, as you say, good value too.
Been running the T7 compound on my Stumpy since Christmas, Ground control up front and Fast Trak on the back, both Grid. Wear is good, grip is good for xc and they don't feel draggy.
Recently stuck the fastrak on the front and a renegade on the back. Thats a quick pairing! Probably end up with the ground control back on the front once the local trail centre in leamington opens.
Thanks for the replies so far.
Ground Control T7 Grid front, Fast Trak T7 Grid rear would be another possible option. I love fit and forget tyre options though as I'm not a serial swapper and GC front and rear seem to tick that box.
I've got GC T7 grid front and rear on my xc bike. I've not ridden them tonnes, but they roll well and the grip has been good on West Yorkshire wet rocks and slop
They set up tubeless really easily and have held air
Finally ordered a pair of Ground Control Grid T7s in tarty skinwall.
