Challenge Strada Pro Open Road Tyre
Challenge Strada Pro Open Road Tyre
Mark Tearle
Preview of the Challenge Strada Pro Open Tubular Road Tyre
What’s the difference between a tubular tyre, an open tubular tyre and a clincher tyre? You may well ask! The answer to the question is a feature in it’s own right I expect, but essentially open tubular tyres mount like a standard clincher tyre even though they are manufactured using the same artisan, hand made processes that results in a high quality, traditional tubular tyre. As part of the CycleTechReview.com ‘Speed’ series I have the opportunity of testing a set of Challenge Strada Pro Open tubular road tyres courtesy of Paligap.cc…
Challenge Strada Open Road Tyre
Given the heavy nature of Sussex’s metalled roads and infamous gravel byways, plus the farm tracks and ‘strade bianche’ (also known to me as Comp Lane, an old coach road that runs 2.8km under the north scarp of the South Downs, connecting Alfriston in the east to Firle in the west) I am keen to see how these tyres cope versus my usual clincher choice.
Challenge Strada Open Road tyre on the bike
As is the current trend these Strada tyres are black with a tan sidewall. They sport a 300 TPI casing, made from an affordable and durable SuperPoly that has an incredibly supple ride quality, comparable with that of high-end tubular tyres.
The natural rubber tread has a herringbone pattern which is hand glued to the tyre casing, rather than bonded using the usual vulcanization process of manufacturing tyres. This hand grafting process, according to Challenge, enables the rubber to maintain its suppleness and does not compromise the ride quality of the tyre.
Challenge Strada Open Road tyres construction
The 700c Stradas have a comfortable, on-trend 25mm width with an Aramid bead to hold them in place on the rim. They weigh in at a respectable 240g each.
For added puncture protection, the Strada tyre incorporates Challenge’s Puncture Protection Strip (PPS). Challenge state that PPS is an extra layer of uniquely-crafted fabric, with highly resistant properties that sits between the casing and the tyre to reduce the risk of punctures. We’ll see about that I guess, though I have every confidence…
Challenge Strada Pro Open Tubular Tyres are £46 each RRP.
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