Challenge STRADA BIANCA PRO 30mm Clincher Tyre : OPEN TUBULAR

Created back in 2012, the Challenge Strada Bianca Pro tyre has rapidly become a favourite tyre of the Pros. Ridden across the white dirt roads of Tuscany by the likes of Peter Sagan and used extensively in the early season Classics, the Strada Bianca is a super compliant, fast rolling tyre with monumental levels of grip and control.

Arguably, nothing holds more importance than your tyres. They determine how fast you go, how you corner how comfortable you are, how long you spend with your wheels out and - handling aside - how likely you are to 'touch-down' to use the parlance of the pros. Key among a tyre's attributes is suppleness and this is what you pay for.

Challenge have been around since 2003, after failing to secure a license from Pirelli to use the Clément trademark (a brand he had long been supplying and servicing), Max Brauns and subsequently his son and daughter have continued to define the tubular and open-tubular tyre market with huge success - globally - at all levels of all cycle sports; from Triathlon to Cyclocross.

Supple tyres not only offer a sublime ride, they reduce rolling resistance, and enable more precise handling and a greater range of pressures. They adapt quickly as the tyre changes shape while cornering and rolling, which increases road surface contact and grip while cornering, plus shock absorption as you pass over irregularities in the road or trail. Suppleness stems from many areas and Challenge's aim for their tyres is to optimise this at every possible juncture while at the same time balancing costs to offer a range of tyres suitable for various levels of rider or for training and racing conditions.

Challenge make a range of hand-made Tubular and Open-Tubular tyres and the bulk of these feature non-vulcanized construction. Ultimately the major difference between a Handmade Tubular / Open Tubular and the majority of clinchers is that it will avoid the heat and pressure process called vulcanization, which most tyres undergo in production. Vulcanisation is used to bind the materials, but compromises the ride quality when the rubber gets stiffer. For Challenge handmade open tubulars, the rubber treads are hand-glued onto the casing allowing the latex and rubber to maintain their ideal qualities. In addition, thread count (TPI) plays a major role in the weight, suppleness and durability of Open Tubulars. The higher the number of threads per inch (TPI), the thinner each individual thread, making a thinner and lighter casing and a more supple tyre, with lower thread counts resulting in casings that are thicker and more durable. The Strada Bianca Pro Open Tubular 30 features 260 threads per inch - the same as the Tubular. While this is lower than the equivalent 'cross tyres, it is perfect for the given use of the tyres which are likely to be run at higher pressures and which need to be slightly more durable.

The SuperPoly polyester casing used in the Strada Bianca Pro are less expensive than the Silk used in the top end of the range Ultra S, and more durable too. This construction offers the optimum balance for riders looking to get the best out of their tyre but without the expense of regular replacement of less durable tyres. At the same time providing the qualities of top-end tubulars. In addition to the TPI and hand-glueing of tread, Challenge use locally sourced (Thai) natural rubber rather than synthetic rubbers for their tyres. Again, natural rubber is more supple and the grip far superior.

Tubular tyres have long used Latex for their inner tubes but Challenge have taken this element even further in their quest to create the most supple ride. Back in 2006 Challenge created their first seamless latex tube to be used in tubulars and also to be available for use in Open-tubulars and clinchers. Produced in their own factory from locally-sourced materials, these tubes have elastic and absorptive qualities that enable a larger point of contact than a butyl tube. The added elasticity reduces rolling resistance and enhances comfort and speed, making latex an ideal material for racers at the top level of the sport. If you want to get the most from your Challenge Open-Tubular or clinchers then we highly recommend latex tubes. In real terms they are good for 2-4 watts out on the road.

Given the intended application - cobbles, hard packed dirt and rough roads and the subsequent increased risk of puncture, it makes sense to offer some security against flats and Challenge achieve this by placing a double layer of PPS (puncture protection strip) between the casing and the tread. This unique fabric adds little weight but a huge amount of peace of mind.

Whether you are a regular endurance rider, a little bigger than most pros, or regularly testing yourself on tough roads then the Challenge 30mm Strada Bianca should be on your list of go-to tyres. If you love to beast yourself over the cobbles of the Paris Roubaix, Flanders or the like then these are a must have.