Specialized's Ground Control was one of the first really good tyres, and while the new tread bears no resemblance to the original it's still a good XC all-rounder at a cracking price.
Like most mid-width XC/trail
tyres the tread is a mid-spaced mix that digs reasonable traction out of loose
or sloppy terrain without buzzing or dragging too badly on harder surfaces. Its
light weight means it accelerates and chops and changes direction really easily
too so it's an enjoyably agile tyre to ride.
It doesn't do anything weird if you brake hard on it
either and there's enough gap and grip so you can straight line root spreads
without getting scythed down by a centre ridge.
The dual compound mix gives a surprisingly obvious
amount of grip to the shoulders too so you can really carve corners or cut
across off-cambers harder than most tyres in its category.
It's a reasonable size for a
2.1in tyre so it can handle a bit of bother, and the 2Bliss carcass gives
adequate if not amazing stability. It seals easily onto a tubeless rim too
although you might need to overpressure it to seat it symmetrically.
Lightweight, agile yet
usefully surefooted all-rounder at a great price.
Weight 620g
Width 50mm
Height 48mm
Price 45$