Challenge

Challenge tires can help reduce shock and reduce rolling resistance, leading to an overall more comfortable, faster and longer ride!

Some of this is achieved by using a certain type of rubber compound. Challenge is lucky enough to produce there where the natural rubber drips from the trees rather than use artificially produced petroleum-based rubber or other synthetic substitutes, which obviously do not have the same properties as natural rubber. In fact, using natural rubber can increase the tire’s durability, and increases the cut, puncture and shear resistance. Another important point is the casing type used in combination with the rubber tread. A high-end, flexible casing provides:

-More grip as it allows more tread adherence with the ground.

-More comfort due to greater shock absorption.

-More speed, as its greater adherence provides lower rolling resistance.

The density of the weave of the casing is expressed in TPI (Threads per Inch of material), the greater the TPI count, the finer the thread and denser the weave.

A greater TPI count casing is actually the more supple and flexible but also stronger at the same time. Throughout time suppliers have been able to deliver higher and higher grade thinner threads which have made it possible for manufacturers using these improved threads, to go from a maximum weave of 260/300TPI to nowadays 320TPI and up. Challenge ranges from a ‘low’ of 220TPI to the higher +1000TPI.

The more supple & flexible the casing, the more comfort and most of all the more adherence and grip to the road, therefore achieving the most speed.

Challenge has maintained natural properties of the rubber and suppleness of the casing by opting for the so called “Handmade manufacturing process”.
This process avoids vulcanization (very high heat treatments) which would otherwise dry up, harden and mostly eliminate the fine properties of the natural rubber and would also stiffen the casings. The ‘Handmade’ process preserves the properties of natural rubber intact as well as the suppleness of the casings, allowing for unsurpassed adherence of the tyre, guaranteeing an optimal and confident bike handling for enhanced safety especially when cornering.

A PPS (a Puncture Protection Strip) is added for puncture resistance. Some models now have two (PPS2).

The tubular and handmade clincher become even more puncture proof when paired with our seamless latex inner tubes.
The great elasticity of latex tends to stretch and go around an object long before it puctures through, unlike butyl which punctures through very easily, releasing the air quickly to rapidly flatten the tire. Latex will be much more difficult to puncture, but even then, it will release the air very slowly allowing you to ride comfortably back, or to a point you choose, without stranding you.

The great elasticity and easy flex of the latex tube also further enhances the comfort of the ride, adherence to the road, contributing to an even lower rolling resistance = speed.

Handmade clinchers begin with being constructed with the same technology used to produce a tubular (it is the same production process of tread glued to a supple casing). They are then made into a clincher tire by folding the sides of the casing around aramid or Kevlar beads instead of sewing the sides together into a tubular with an inner tube inside. This type of beaded casing can therefore be mounted as a convenient clincher tire but, having at the same time the ride and almost the feel of a high performing tubular. This high quality performance in a conveniently mounted clincher tire, really makes the handmade clincher tire the best of both worlds!

For more information go to https://www.challengetires.com/faq