S-Works Pathfinder vs Tracer

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steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

I've been using the non-S-Works Tracer 33 mm CX tires tubeless for a few years. They are pretty light, seal well, and roll very nicely even on tarmac. I've been thinking of upgrading to the S-Works Tracer (also 33mm) for a potentially even faster (it's a bit lighter) and more supple (120 tpi vs. the 60 tpi) ride, but I wonder if I should do that or also upgrade in width and go for the 42mm S-Works Pathfinder instead. I don't necessarily need the wider tires, and the Pathfinder would definitely be around 80-90g heavier than the Tracer, but there are so many positive reviews for the Pathfinder praising its low rolling resistance on tarmac. The Tracer seems to have remained a specialist CX tire and there are hardly any reviews. I find it wears well and has low RR on tarmac, but I wonder if the Pathfinder would serve me better or not.

by Weenie


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CrossRob
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 9:18 pm

by CrossRob

I'm guessing there won't be too much difference in speed on tarmac, given the extra width of the Pathfinder. Which one best suits the majority of riding you're going to do, and does it have the versatility to handle other situations you'll find yourself in?

I've always found the Tracers to be pretty quick on road with enough psi and plenty capable off road when there are no rocks or water / wet mud. The SWorks version looks interesting if it's more supple than the standard one, particularly for dry CX races.

steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

CrossRob wrote:
Fri Apr 14, 2023 8:05 am
I'm guessing there won't be too much difference in speed on tarmac, given the extra width of the Pathfinder. Which one best suits the majority of riding you're going to do, and does it have the versatility to handle other situations you'll find yourself in?

I've always found the Tracers to be pretty quick on road with enough psi and plenty capable off road when there are no rocks or water / wet mud. The SWorks version looks interesting if it's more supple than the standard one, particularly for dry CX races.
Indeed, I find the regular Tracer Pro surprisingly fast on the road. The S-Works is not much lighter, but is probably more supple (it is 120 tpi, while the Pro is 60). What I'm not sure about is rolling resistance, as the S-Works Tracer has the T7 compound (the Pro is not specified), while the S-Works Pathfinder is T5 for the center tread and T7 for the side knobs. Still, the 33mm Tracer is around 70-80 g lighter per tire than the 42mm Pathfinder (for the S-Works versions)

rothwem
Posts: 211
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 4:45 pm
Location: Asheville, NC

by rothwem

I love my Tracers, and hated the Pathfinders. At first I liked them because they were much quieter on the road than the Tracers and they seem to roll really well on the road, but they're sketchy as hell if you're not travelling in a straight line. There's a really abrupt transition from the center strip to the "knobs" and the knobs are not well supported so there's a bunch of squirm when you're leaned over.

steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

rothwem wrote:
Mon Apr 17, 2023 3:59 pm
I love my Tracers, and hated the Pathfinders. At first I liked them because they were much quieter on the road than the Tracers and they seem to roll really well on the road, but they're sketchy as hell if you're not travelling in a straight line. There's a really abrupt transition from the center strip to the "knobs" and the knobs are not well supported so there's a bunch of squirm when you're leaned over.
Thanks. I have 2 questions:
1. Did they also roll faster on road (or were they just quieter) than the Tracer?
2. Which size were the Pathfinders and were they the Pro version? From what I've read, the transition is less sketchy on S-Works version (which has a lower profile than the Pro; the pattern is identical, but the height/thickness of the central tread and side knobs is less)

rothwem
Posts: 211
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 4:45 pm
Location: Asheville, NC

by rothwem

steveadore wrote:
Mon Apr 17, 2023 4:50 pm
rothwem wrote:
Mon Apr 17, 2023 3:59 pm
I love my Tracers, and hated the Pathfinders. At first I liked them because they were much quieter on the road than the Tracers and they seem to roll really well on the road, but they're sketchy as hell if you're not travelling in a straight line. There's a really abrupt transition from the center strip to the "knobs" and the knobs are not well supported so there's a bunch of squirm when you're leaned over.
Thanks. I have 2 questions:
1. Did they also roll faster on road (or were they just quieter) than the Tracer?
2. Which size were the Pathfinders and were they the Pro version? From what I've read, the transition is less sketchy on S-Works version (which has a lower profile than the Pro; the pattern is identical, but the height/thickness of the central tread and side knobs is less)
Hey, sorry it took so long, I'm not on this forum as much anymore.

1) Not sure if they were actually faster or not. My gravel rides tend to be solo, and I don't really have a good way to measure rolling resistance. Maybe they were though? It's really hard to tell. The tracers don't feel particularly draggy though.

2) These were 38mm pro casings for both. Im a little curious about the sworks pathfinders but I don't want to buy it and hate it. Maybe if they go on sale or something and I can pick them up for $20.

steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

rothwem wrote:
Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:36 pm
steveadore wrote:
Mon Apr 17, 2023 4:50 pm
rothwem wrote:
Mon Apr 17, 2023 3:59 pm
I love my Tracers, and hated the Pathfinders. At first I liked them because they were much quieter on the road than the Tracers and they seem to roll really well on the road, but they're sketchy as hell if you're not travelling in a straight line. There's a really abrupt transition from the center strip to the "knobs" and the knobs are not well supported so there's a bunch of squirm when you're leaned over.
Thanks. I have 2 questions:
1. Did they also roll faster on road (or were they just quieter) than the Tracer?
2. Which size were the Pathfinders and were they the Pro version? From what I've read, the transition is less sketchy on S-Works version (which has a lower profile than the Pro; the pattern is identical, but the height/thickness of the central tread and side knobs is less)
Hey, sorry it took so long, I'm not on this forum as much anymore.

1) Not sure if they were actually faster or not. My gravel rides tend to be solo, and I don't really have a good way to measure rolling resistance. Maybe they were though? It's really hard to tell. The tracers don't feel particularly draggy though.

2) These were 38mm pro casings for both. Im a little curious about the sworks pathfinders but I don't want to buy it and hate it. Maybe if they go on sale or something and I can pick them up for $20.
Thanks! I agree, the Tracers rolls suprisingly well for a tire that's supposed to be 80% off-road (according to Spec.).

Not sure the S-Works Pathfinder would ever get so cheap. They keep getting sold out. On the other hand, I've seen the S-Works version of the Tracer for around 30 euros on sale recently (unfortunately, they sold out by the time I was going to order a pair)

by Weenie


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