Challenge

Grifo TLR Tire - Tubeless

Cyclocross races tend to run over a multitude of surfaces and conditions, so it isn't uncommon to be fighting for grip over pavement, grass, sand, dirt, and mud, all on the same lap. Riders are asking for a lot of their tires especially when you consider pure 'cross tires come in right at the UCI-mandated 33mm wide. One stalwart tire on veldrijden courses around the world and has numerous podiums and world championships to its credit is the Grifo from Challenge. The brand recently released tubeless versions of its popular treads and its new Grifo TLR Tire is an update to its versatile intermediate tire giving the racer some treads that are easy to set up, are extremely puncture resistant, and work really, really, well across a variety of terrain.

The key to the Grifo's success ultimately comes from its capable tread pattern. Challenge chooses a knob profile that is fairly low which not only reduces the rolling resistance over a taller knob on pavement and hardpack, it also cuts down on extra weight. What's critical in letting this tire get away with "less is more" is its classic knob shape and pattern which provides ample grip while powering across greasy off-cambers, braking on loose descents, and cornering on soft snow. At the center is an alternating pattern of chevrons and arrows lying right down the middle of the tire, while moving outward, the knobbies gradually take on the shapes of half-moons and dots to provide traction in corners. Challenge says you can run the Grifo's tread pattern in either direction depending on the terrain. Should you require heavy traction, say in hearty mud conditions, Challenge recommends that you mount the tire with the tread orientation facing backward so the chevrons can "scoop". For "normal" race conditions, mount the tread with the arrows pointed forward. Since this tire is tubeless, you can make this swap fairly easily, or say you have a weekend race and you've been doing intervals on the asphalt with road tires all week, or the weather is calling for a deluge and you need to bring out the serious mud treads, tubeless lets you have an adaptable setup. Try doing that with your tubulars.

For durability, the Grifo TLR is constructed from a highly puncture-resistant and lightweight nylon casing. The beads of the tire use strong Aramid fibers again to lose weight, and with a splash of sealant, holds the tire on your tubeless rim with authority. The Challenge Grifo TLR Tire is available in 700c x 33mm and in the color Black.