Selecting a Challenge Cyclocross Tire
Cyclocross courses encompass a wide variety of conditions, and facing this adversity on a 33mm tread means that tire selection is crucial. Generally speaking, tires are designed to perform on a spectrum between sandy, firm couses to slippery wet mud. The right choice depends on several factors and is influenced largely by riding style!
If you need clarification or advice about which tire is for you, always feel free to ask questions at info@challengetires.us
Koksijde
DRY SAND
Koksijde was created for the dry sand found on the unique course in the Belgian coastal town by the same name. It was designed in cooperation with Toon and Thijs Aerts. Thijs and Thibau Nys both won the 2018 Belgian Championships one week after receiving the first samples of this tire.
Dune
SAND AND FIRM SURFACE CORNERING
The Dune is the Belgian's secret skill-building tire. Like the Chicane, this tire is a super fast rolling sand tire that also works incredibly well on frozen courses. The small shoulder knobs are intended for riders with great bike handling skills.
"I started using Challenge when I reached the youth category and continue to use the Team Edition and Silk tubulars. I took my first World Cup victory with the Dune and look forward to many more seasons in partnership." – Thibau Nys
Chicane
FAST CENTER WITH A BIT MORE BITE
The Chicane is a super fast rolling tire providing maximum control on dry hardpack, wet grass, and icy conditions. A bit more cornering bite than Dune without the drag of a tire with more pronounced center knobs.
"The Chicane Team Edition tubular was a huge part of my World Championship in Bogense. It gave me incredible grip on the corners and a super fast tread on the straights." – Ben Tulett
Flandrien
LOW CENTER KNOBS FOR A MIDDLE GROUND TREAD
Developed to embody the spirit of mid-winter cyclocross racing, the Flandrien is named after the resilient riders who thrive in changing conditions. With a bit more straight-line and braking traction, this is the perfect transition tire between Chicane and Grifo or Baby Limus. Flandrien empowers you to dominate both muddy trails and dry terrains alike while allowing efficient mud cleaning.
Grifo
THE MOST VERSATILE OPTION
The winningest all-around cyclocross tire ever created excels in wet or dry, soft packed, rocky and root-infested courses, grass, and more. The Grifo features fast rolling knobs and a center section that offers excellent pedaling and braking traction.
"I’ve won two World Titles using the Team Edition tubulars including the Grifo in Bogense 2019. They give me confidence and performance advantage I look for when I’m choosing my tires." – Tom Pidcock
Baby Limus
ALL CONDITIONS WITH SOFT OR STICKY SECTIONS
The Baby Limus is Challenge's all-around cyclocross tire designed for races with constantly changing conditions. This tire is ready to take on wet sand, sticky mud or dry, fast courses.
"Baby Limus rolls well on fast sections and works for wet courses where I want more traction. The sidewall are supple yet strong which allows me to simply adjust tire pressure for the traction I’m looking for." – Katie Compton
Limus
MUD AND EXTREME CONDITIONS
Limus means mud in Latin, which is exactly where this tire dominates. Deep, aggressive, and well-spaced knobs cut through muddy conditions so you can flow through corners, zip thru off-camber sections, and powering up inclines with ease. A great tire for truly extreme conditions like the 2018 CX World Championships where it won four of five gold medals.
"Since my first World Championship in Zolder 2016 I have ridden Challenge Tires. My two World Championship victories have come on Team Edition Limus and although they have a massive range of five treads, I always fall back to my love of their mud tubulars!" – Evie Richards
