Video summary

Specialized Pathfinder 2.2 - First Ride Review

Main summary

Key takeaways

Sport

Video Overview

This video is a first-ride review of Specialized’s Pathfinder 2.2 tire (installed on a bike using new Duke Sierra Aero 4856 wheels, which are mentioned but reviewed separately).

Wait and Setup

  • The reviewer says they’ve waited since February for the tire and are excited to install it.
  • They plan to weigh, measure, and test it.

Weight / Size Check

  • The tire is described as very light:
    • About 583g on one reading
    • 563g for a mounted example
  • The reviewer notes it appears to be essentially the same as a “55/2.2” equivalent, consistent with the website.

Immediate Ride Impression

  • The reviewer loves the tire right away.
  • They describe it as fast and say the Pathfinder 2.2 is likely the best version of the Pathfinder ever made.
  • Their main theme: a strong blend of road-speed feel with gravel capability.

Comparison vs Other Tires

They feel it’s faster than several tires they’ve ridden, including:

  • Hutchinson Caracle Race 50
  • Dubi(n)tols
  • Thunderbirds

They also summarize the ride feel as:

  • Like a road tire, while still being a large 55/2.2.

Incident — Day 1 (Pothole “Burp”)

During a fast ride, the reviewer hits a pothole and the tire appears to “burp” (lose enough air to limp).

What they did next:

  • They continue only long enough to get help, limping to Helmsburg.
  • They confirm the tire isn’t visibly cut and appears okay, but it doesn’t hold enough pressure to finish the ride.
  • They call Chase to pick them up.
  • They plan to redo the review the next day.

Positive durability note:

  • The tire held up even after riding roughly 5 miles with about 3 PSI.

Day 2 Continuation

  • The reviewer returns and states the tire is totally fine.
  • They continue the review from where they left off.

Descending Performance

  • They re-check speeds and say the descent where it burped was actually the second-fastest they’ve ever gone on that hill.
  • They praise the tire’s downhill grip.

Climbing and Traction on Rough Ground

  • They test climbs and rough sections, emphasizing that the tire does not slip easily.
  • This includes loose rocks and moderate power (they cite about 300 watts during one rough test).
  • They attribute traction to the center tread.

Cornering and Transition Behavior

  • The transition from center tread to side knobs is described as smooth, not abrupt.
  • Cornering feels natural and “calmer” than some other tires.
  • They compare it to a tire called Peyote, which has a more obvious “bite point.”

User-Friendliness

  • They claim no learning curve:
    • It grips when leaned
    • It rolls fast on straight sections

Terrain Notes

  • Consistent ground is where it excels.
  • On very small rocks, it can still kick out (better than some tires, but not perfect).
  • Sitting vs standing: they note they have not slipped when standing (the standing reference was in the earlier context).

Pressures Used

  • 18 PSI front
  • 19 PSI rear

Hill-Crest Acceleration

  • When cresting, they say the tire hooks up quickly.
  • It helps you power through climbs without needing a “wind-up.”

Group Ride / Road Closure Check

  • They mention an upcoming group ride collaboration: Ride for Hope.
  • They check a route where a road says “closed” and determine it still looks rideable—possibly related to bridge damage—and conclude it’s okay to ride.

Final Verdict

  • They recommend the Pathfinder 2.2 as an excellent tire: comfortable, fast, and passes their tests.
  • Main remaining question: durability, because they’ve ridden it only about 30 miles.
    • They note no issues after the burp and reinflation.
  • They praise Specialized for making a true proper 55mm tire rather than merely rebranding an upscaled model.
  • They mention Silka tires released that day, with content coming, but they chose to focus on the Pathfinders in this video.

Price / Value

  • They state the Pathfinder 2.2 costs $65.
  • They call it strong value versus competitor premium tires, mentioning Silka and Schwab for context.

Presenters / Sources (Mentioned at End)

  • Specialized (tire manufacturer; credited throughout)
  • Chase (help/pickup during the incident)
  • Silka (tire brand mentioned; content coming)
  • Schwab (competitor mentioned for pricing comparison)
  • Ride for Hope (group ride collaborator/initiative)
  • Devin (friend/collaborator on group rides)
  • Quintilian (referenced in the opening as an authority on vivid description)

Original video