Open Tubular (Clincher) An open tubular is constructed using the same casing and tread materials and process as a tubular, but instead of sewing the casing together (closed), the sides of the tubular casing are folded around aramid fibre cords to produce beads. This ‘open’ design performs like a tubular, yet conveniently mounts like a standard clincher tyre. If combined with a Latex inner tube the ride becomes even closer to that of a tubular, offering excellent traction and cornering, low rolling resistance and shock absorption.
This tyre features a bold 120 tpi Nylon casing, vulcanised for added protection. Plus, it stands up brilliantly to the rough and tumble of such riding for a confidence-inspiring performance on every outing. Giving you fast rolling and cornering, this world-class tyre is a perfect upgrade for riders who want maximum control in all riding conditions. Technologies: Vulcanized Tubeless Ready (VTR): The highest level of performance offered by car, truck and motorcycle tyre manufacturers is a vulcanized tubeless system. While this is an old technology for cars and trucks, for bicycles it is relatively new and did not even have an internationally accepted design standard (ISO or ETRTO) until recent years. By eliminating the inner tube it is possible to lower the weight and create a softer, more comfortable, more efficient, lower rolling resistance tyre system by running lower tyre pressure. Challenge started introducing Vulcanized Tubeless Ready (VTR) tyres in recent years because the ISO and ETRTO standards for proper VTR tire and rim fit have finally been completed. These standards ensure your safety and your ability to fit and service the tyres with hand tools.
Featuring a shallow, micro-textured centreline for impressively low rolling-resistance, this pacy effort does not shirk when it comes to confident and composed riding. Keeping you upright through corners are well-spaced shoulder lugs which cling to whatever is available to keep you upright and in control. Well-protected by its 120 TPI Nylon casing and integrated PPS Puncture Protection Strip, as well as its Vulcanised finish, not much will deter this tyre from rolling you to new levels of gravel-grinding excellence. Coming complete with a fast-rolling diamond centre, this tyre is perfect for all-around gravel and adventure riding. Technologies: Vulcanized Tubeless Ready (VTR): The highest level of performance offered by car, truck and motorcycle tyre manufacturers is a vulcanized tubeless system. While this is an old technology for cars and trucks, for bicycles it is relatively new and did not even have an internationally accepted design standard (ISO or ETRTO) until recent years. By eliminating the inner tube it is possible to lower the weight and create a softer, more comfortable, more efficient, lower rolling resistance tyre system by running lower tyre pressure. Challenge started introducing Vulcanized Tubeless Ready (VTR) tyres in recent years because the ISO and ETRTO standards for proper VTR tire and rim fit have finally been completed. These standards ensure your safety and your ability to fit and service the tyres with hand tools.
This tyre is also designed to be super-fast rolling with maximum control on dry hard pack, wet grass or even icy riding conditions Technologies: Challenge Handmade Clinchers (HCL): Our Handmade Clinchers are made from the same materials and processes as our handmade tubulars but instead of sewing an inner tube inside the casing is wrapped around an aramid bead to form a tyre that fits on a clincher rim. The HCL is moulded flat, not in a horseshoe like a TLR or VCL. This shape allows the casing to naturally deform over surface imperfections and minimize rolling resistance. A tubeless tyre is moulded in a U-shape to make the sidewalls rigid, so the system does not “burp” or lose air when it deforms after it encounters a surface imperfection. The tubeless tyre’s stiff sidewall compromises its ability to equal a supple HCL with a latex inner tube.
Designed for all roads, this tyre gives you world-class fast rolling and cornering as well as maximum control as you clock up the miles. Technologies: Challenge Handmade Clinchers (HCL): Our Handmade Clinchers are made from the same materials and processes as our handmade tubulars but instead of sewing an inner tube inside the casing is wrapped around an aramid bead to form a tire that fits on a clincher rim. The HCL is moulded flat, not in a horseshoe like a TLR or VCL. This shape allows the casing to naturally deform over surface imperfections and minimize rolling resistance. A tubeless tire is moulded in a U-shape to make the sidewalls rigid, so the system does not “burp” or lose air when it deforms after it encounters a surface imperfection. The tubeless tire’s stiff sidewall compromises its ability to equal a supple HCL with a latex inner tube.
Cyclocross World Champion for years. Whether a Pro or just a hardcore rider Grifo is the tyre you need. Unbelievable grip with no rolling resistance compromise. All tubular and open tubular produced by Challenge are special products. Machines are not able to produce them and the manual skill required in each step to obtain a good quality standard is very high. The casing is produced with the latest technical materials like Corespun (a cotton and polyester combination). Corespun is a thread from which we obtain a very supple and strong casing with low weights. The casings have a high TPI count that can reach over 300 tpi. Our production process avoids any vulcanisation process to enable all materials to keep their suppleness and flexibility. The tread is slowly hand glued on the casing which is previously mounted and inflated on a rim. By using this method the tread is relaxed on the casing and does not suffer any tension when inflated. The result of this is a lower rolling resistance, increase in comfort, more precise handling of the bike and better grip. Hand made tubulars are well known by professionals and is this type of tyre that is preferred for the long stage races. To give the best possible grip in curves Challenge uses the most updated materials to obtain flexibility, suppleness and this results in absorption of irregular surfaces giving to the cyclist the best possible contact patch. The wheel avoids jumping and the tyre will deform and absorb the irregularities acting in some way as a shock absorber. A special fabric is placed between the tread and casing to increase puncture resistance PPS (Puncture Protection System) technology. Comfort means reduction of harmful vibrations for the wrists and neck, these vibrations, will end causing inflammatory problems, as a hard tyre will transfer all the vibrations directly to the racer body. Classed as one of the best all-around cyclocross tyres every created by Challenge, this tyre excels in wet, dry, soft packed, rocky and root-infested course conditions. Technologies: Challenge Handmade Clinchers (HCL): These Handmade Clinchers are made from the same materials and processes as our handmade tubulars but instead of sewing an inner tube inside the casing is wrapped around a aramid bead to form a tire that fits on a clincher rim. The HCL is moulded flat, not in a horseshoe like a TLR or VCL. This shape allows the casing to naturally deform over surface imperfections and minimize rolling resistance. A tubeless tire is moulded in a U-shape to make the sidewalls rigid, so the system does not “burp” or lose air when it deforms after it encounters a surface imperfection. The tubeless tire’s stiff sidewall compromises its ability to equal a supple HCL with a latex inner tube.
Hand Assembled Challenge uses the latest technical materials such as corespun for the inner casing of these tyres. This material produces a very high TPI (threads-per-inch) count to ensure the ultimate in strength, suppleness, and low weight. This casing is then hand glued on to the tread, which has previously been installed and inflated on a rim. This means that when the assembled tyre is inflated, it provides more precise handling, lower rolling resistance, and better grip. Shock Absorbing The best materials have been used to obtain consistent grip over uneven terrain and reduce the vibration feedback to the rider, helping you to maintain grip and control on even the longest and roughest races. The advanced design reduces wheel skipping and jumping over rough surfaces, ensuring efficient grip and helping you to maintain your speed. These tyres also feature a double layer of Challenge's PPS (puncture protection system) between the tread and casing, to give you confidence when blasting over tree roots and sharp rocks. Technologies: Challenge Handmade Tubulars (HTU): Our Handmade Tubular (HTU) tires perform better than any tubeless system! Therefore, they are raced by all the top athletes and teams in every cycling segment. The latex inner tube we cradled inside the high-quality casing that is sewn shut, forming a soft protective layer for the delicate tube. A base tape is glued over the sewing for protection and to absorb the adhesive later applied to hold the tubular on the rim. The carcass is mounted on a rim, inflated and a special natural rubber tread is precisely glued on top. Puncture protection layers and sealants can be applied to the finished casing, depending on the tubular’s use.
Giving you fast rolling and cornering, this world-class tyre is a perfect upgrade for riders who want maximum control in all riding conditions. Technologies: Challenge Handmade Clinchers (HCL): This Handmade Clincher is made from the same materials and processes as handmade tubulars but instead of sewing an inner tube inside the casing is wrapped around an aramid bead to form a tire that fits on a clincher rim. The HCL is moulded flat, not in a horseshoe like a TLR or VCL. This shape allows the casing to naturally deform over surface imperfections and minimize rolling resistance. A tubeless tire is moulded in a U-shape to make the sidewalls rigid, so the system does not “burp” or lose air when it deforms after it encounters a surface imperfection. The tubeless tire’s stiff sidewall compromises its ability to equal a supple HCL with a latex inner tube.
Perfect for all riding conditions, this tyre gives you fast-rolling resistance and excellent handling when cornering. Technologies: Challenge Handmade Clinchers (HCL): These Handmade Clinchers are made from the same materials and processes as our handmade tubulars but instead of sewing an inner tube inside the casing is wrapped around an aramid bead to form a tire that fits on a clincher rim. The HCL is moulded flat, not in a horseshoe like a TLR or VCL. This shape allows the casing to naturally deform over surface imperfections and minimize rolling resistance. A tubeless tire is moulded in a U-shape to make the sidewalls rigid, so the system does not “burp” or lose air when it deforms after it encounters a surface imperfection. The tubeless tire’s stiff sidewall compromises its ability to equal a supple HCL with a latex inner tube.
Perfect for both training and racing, this tyre is built to handle all the challenges that are associated with riding on rough roads. This makes it a perfect choice of upgrade for riders who want excellent comfort and control. Technologies: Challenge Handmade Clinchers (HCL): Our Handmade Clinchers are made from the same materials and processes as our handmade tubulars but instead of sewing an inner tube inside the casing is wrapped around an aramid bead to form a tire that fits on a clincher rim. The HCL is moulded flat, not in a horseshoe like a TLR or VCL. This shape allows the casing to naturally deform over surface imperfections and minimize rolling resistance. A tubeless tire is moulded in a U-shape to make the sidewalls rigid, so the system does not “burp” or lose air when it deforms after it encounters a surface imperfection. The tubeless tire’s stiff sidewall compromises its ability to equal a supple HCL with a latex inner tube.
The Challenge Elite XP is the ultimate winter training tyre, perfect for riders who want high performance without running a fragile race-day only tyre in winter thanks to it's PPS Ganzo protection.Incredibly fast rolling herringbone tread also offers excellent cornering control260TPI SuperPoly casing with CorazzArmor gives an incredibly smooth and supple rideHandmade folding bead casing with PPS Ganzo puncture protectionSmartPlus rubber compound for excellent grip and durabilityNot tubeless compatibleThe Elite XP is built for speed while still being durable and grippy. The herringbone tread helps it roll incredibly well while still offering excellent control under braking and while cornering, even in the wet. Equally at home during the winter, the Elite is not just for dry days; it's happy enough in the wet as well.Built around Challenge's legendary 260TPI SuperPoly casing, the Criterium offers an unbelievably smooth ride, meaning even on longer stage races, you won't feel beaten up and it can even help transform otherwise stiff riding bikes into something far more comfortable and compliant. If you want the ultimate winter training tyre, the Challenge Elite is the perfect choice!
The Getaway is the latest gravel & adventure tyre from Challenge and is designed to explore the world where the pavement ends and the wilds beckon. With a tightly spaced, fast rolling centre and aggressive shoulder knobs, the Getaway is one of the most versatile tyres in the Challenge line. Tightly packed centre tread with exaggerated side tread for excellent speed and grip 260TPI SuperPoly & CorrazzaArmor casing gives an incredibly smooth and supple ride Handmade tubeless folding bead casing with PPS Ganzo and PPS2 puncture protection SmartPlus rubber compound for excellent grip and durability Tubeless compatible The Getaway is perfect for riders who want a fast and versatile gravel tyre. The tightly packed centre tread rolls quickly while still offering excellent grip on a range of surfaces while the more aggressive side knobs help it dig into softer terrain. On rough gravel trails, you need confidence that your tyres are tough enough for the job and the Getaway won't let you down thanks to its double PPS Ganzo and PPS2 puncture protection, while the handmade SuperPoly casing gives it that elegantly supple ride that marks Challenge's handmade tyres out from the rest. If you want a highly versatile, lightweight and tough tyre for your gravel bike, the Challenge Getaway is up to the task.