The perfect combination –
Our 2008 FUJI SL-1 team bikes came equipped with the new Mavic R-SYS wheel sets. Challenge Tires is sponsoring Team FUJI fueled by Clif Bar supplying the team with training and race tires.
I removed the OEM tires and mounted a pair of new Challenge Criterium open tubulars onto the carbon spoke wheels.
The combination is perfect.
Some detail on the tires:
1. History
· Challenge tires were born from the Italian tire company Clement.
· In 2002, Pirelli - owner of the brand – decided to exit the bicycle tire market. Brewo – an Italian trading company and sole agent for Clement – along with the Thai engineers at Pirelli’s manufacturing plant, acquired the factory and equipment. Challenge is the result of these efforts and explains many of the similarities to the former Clement product.
2. Manufacturing
· Challenge tires are handmade, both open tubular and tubular.
· The tread section is vulcanized by machine and is then glued to the casing by hand. This is done with the casing mounted on a rim and fully inflated.
· This feature allows the tread to be in a “neutral state” when inflated.
· The result is a tire that has a supple casing, unhardened by vulcanizing, resulting in better ride characteristics.
3. Higher TPI
· As a general rule, the higher the threads per inch, the more supple the casing is. A supple casing allows a tire to better conform to terrain, roll over debris and road imperfections.
· Gara Open Tubular– 240 TPI, 240 grams, 100 – 145 PSI
· Criterium Open Tubular – 300 TPI, 210 grams, 115 – 145 PSI
· Vulcano Tubular – 220 TPI, 290 grams, 100 – 130 PSI
· Criterium Tubular – 300 TPI, 260 grams, 115 – 200 PSI
4. Latex
· Challenge applies a coat of latex to the tire sidewall for protection. Latex inner tubes are also used in the Criterium tubular tires. This allows for better air retention and increased elasticity.
5. Challenge & Racing
· Challenge brand tires have won world championships in Cyclocross and are used by the following teams:
Ø Rock Racing
Ø Team FUJI fueled by Clif Bar (Sponsored by ItalCycle.)
Ø Richard Sachs
Ø Ultralink
The Challenge Criterium tires definitely have a hand made look and feel to them. The sidewalls have some texture and the fine tread is reminiscent of the pattern found on top of the line tubulars. They mount well, even the first time, with a nice snug fit with just a hint of tread weave that settles in and is not perceptible once on the bike. I also like that there is no noticeable wax or silicone coating on them, they are ready to race right out of the box. No F1 style scrubbing of tires required prior to your first start on them.
I like all the Mavic wheels that I have ridden and look back with good memories of having 32 spoke Mavic rims built with butted spokes, brass nipples, and tubulars. The ride quality was excellent and the durability exceptional (look at recent Paris Roubaix set ups). However the weight when compared to what is available now in clincher set ups and extra effort to mount and glue the tires pushed a lot of people including myself to clinchers.
The R-SYS/Criterium wheel and tire combination reminds me of a nice riding tubular on a box section rim. The difference is how much lighter, even in clincher form, and how amazingly stiff they are when climbing and accelerating. It appears to be the best of both worlds, truly lighter, and absolutely stiffer while maintaining a ride quality previously only found on sew ups.
I have trained, commuted, and raced on the Mavic R-SYS/Challenge Criterium combination for several weeks with smooth, fast, efficient results. No flats, minimal wear, and solid performance even in the wet.
I did have an opportunity to learn and execute the spoke replacement sequence on the front wheel of the R-SYS after I was hit at slow speeds during a pre ride parking lot bump with another rider. The front wheel of the other bike hit two of the carbon spokes damaging them. The wheel stayed true and was ride able even with two opposing spokes loosing full tension. The process of replacing them is easy with the tools supplied. The axle is removed with a 5mm allen key, a circular aluminum ring is removed, and the spoke is unthreaded at the rim and slides out of the hub. The new spoke inserted tension applied, ring pushed in place, axle re-inserted, and no truing was required.
I look forward to racing on them as the season progresses to see how the wheels hold up and how the tires wear. For your training/commuting wheels try the Challenge Gara. They are a sweet riding training tire that absolutely could be raced on with the same supple feel of the Criterium in a slightly heavier and less expensive version.
Our 2008 FUJI SL-1 team bikes came equipped with the new Mavic R-SYS wheel sets. Challenge Tires is sponsoring Team FUJI fueled by Clif Bar supplying the team with training and race tires.
I removed the OEM tires and mounted a pair of new Challenge Criterium open tubulars onto the carbon spoke wheels.
The combination is perfect.
Some detail on the tires:
1. History
· Challenge tires were born from the Italian tire company Clement.
· In 2002, Pirelli - owner of the brand – decided to exit the bicycle tire market. Brewo – an Italian trading company and sole agent for Clement – along with the Thai engineers at Pirelli’s manufacturing plant, acquired the factory and equipment. Challenge is the result of these efforts and explains many of the similarities to the former Clement product.
2. Manufacturing
· Challenge tires are handmade, both open tubular and tubular.
· The tread section is vulcanized by machine and is then glued to the casing by hand. This is done with the casing mounted on a rim and fully inflated.
· This feature allows the tread to be in a “neutral state” when inflated.
· The result is a tire that has a supple casing, unhardened by vulcanizing, resulting in better ride characteristics.
3. Higher TPI
· As a general rule, the higher the threads per inch, the more supple the casing is. A supple casing allows a tire to better conform to terrain, roll over debris and road imperfections.
· Gara Open Tubular– 240 TPI, 240 grams, 100 – 145 PSI
· Criterium Open Tubular – 300 TPI, 210 grams, 115 – 145 PSI
· Vulcano Tubular – 220 TPI, 290 grams, 100 – 130 PSI
· Criterium Tubular – 300 TPI, 260 grams, 115 – 200 PSI
4. Latex
· Challenge applies a coat of latex to the tire sidewall for protection. Latex inner tubes are also used in the Criterium tubular tires. This allows for better air retention and increased elasticity.
5. Challenge & Racing
· Challenge brand tires have won world championships in Cyclocross and are used by the following teams:
Ø Rock Racing
Ø Team FUJI fueled by Clif Bar (Sponsored by ItalCycle.)
Ø Richard Sachs
Ø Ultralink
The Challenge Criterium tires definitely have a hand made look and feel to them. The sidewalls have some texture and the fine tread is reminiscent of the pattern found on top of the line tubulars. They mount well, even the first time, with a nice snug fit with just a hint of tread weave that settles in and is not perceptible once on the bike. I also like that there is no noticeable wax or silicone coating on them, they are ready to race right out of the box. No F1 style scrubbing of tires required prior to your first start on them.
I like all the Mavic wheels that I have ridden and look back with good memories of having 32 spoke Mavic rims built with butted spokes, brass nipples, and tubulars. The ride quality was excellent and the durability exceptional (look at recent Paris Roubaix set ups). However the weight when compared to what is available now in clincher set ups and extra effort to mount and glue the tires pushed a lot of people including myself to clinchers.
The R-SYS/Criterium wheel and tire combination reminds me of a nice riding tubular on a box section rim. The difference is how much lighter, even in clincher form, and how amazingly stiff they are when climbing and accelerating. It appears to be the best of both worlds, truly lighter, and absolutely stiffer while maintaining a ride quality previously only found on sew ups.
I have trained, commuted, and raced on the Mavic R-SYS/Challenge Criterium combination for several weeks with smooth, fast, efficient results. No flats, minimal wear, and solid performance even in the wet.
I did have an opportunity to learn and execute the spoke replacement sequence on the front wheel of the R-SYS after I was hit at slow speeds during a pre ride parking lot bump with another rider. The front wheel of the other bike hit two of the carbon spokes damaging them. The wheel stayed true and was ride able even with two opposing spokes loosing full tension. The process of replacing them is easy with the tools supplied. The axle is removed with a 5mm allen key, a circular aluminum ring is removed, and the spoke is unthreaded at the rim and slides out of the hub. The new spoke inserted tension applied, ring pushed in place, axle re-inserted, and no truing was required.
I look forward to racing on them as the season progresses to see how the wheels hold up and how the tires wear. For your training/commuting wheels try the Challenge Gara. They are a sweet riding training tire that absolutely could be raced on with the same supple feel of the Criterium in a slightly heavier and less expensive version.
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