Sundog3478

Good review on these:

Challenge Tires ?Gravel Grinder? 38mm Tires |

On sale this weekend. Think I will give them a go. I'm not really sure how big a tire I can get into the Mares rear slot but pretty sure a 38 will fit. I'm a roadie for the most part just wanting to ride some gravel roads occasionally. I live in E. TN.

Anybody have experience with these?

chriskmurray

The last set I saw actually measured around 35-36mm for me but to be fair I can not remember the rim it was mounted to. It does sound like that will be a good thing for you if clearance is tight. Other than that they look like great tires!

FlashBazbo

I'm located in Middle Tennessee. I've ridden the Challenge Gravel Grinder Race tires for about a year -- everything from pavement to "civilized" gravel roads to the Dirty Kanza 200.

The file tread makes these tires faster than you would expect on pavement and smooth gravel. I've done a lot of group rides on the road with roadies and had no problems keeping an 18 mph average pace. I've even got an 8-mile long Strava segment KOM on one of the local paved roads using these tires. On gravel, the tires work great. Excellent traction with very predictable handling. I ran them at 50/55 psi at this year's Dirty Kanza -- no flats -- and I may try them at 45/50 next year. On civilized gravel roads, I would run them at 45 psi or lower. Very fast and comfy at those pressures.

They are an excellent tire.

sgtdirt

excellent tire. raced a "grass crit" cyclocross races with it on the back. did a gravel ride with them too. roll fast and the knobs help in the corner.

lvick

I tried a set on my Diverge, but felt like they rode harsh compared to Conti Cyclocross Speed 700x35 or Conti SpeedRide 700x42 tires. When I removed them I noticed the casing was much stiffer than either of the Conti tires despite being labeled as 120 tpi. The Grinders may be tougher or more flat resistant than the Contis, but I haven't had any problems with the Contis so I gave the Grinders away. As always, YMMV.

Sundog3478

I noticed in GT's review that he stated the pair he was reviewing was mis-labled as 120 tpi when he knew that they were 60 tpi. I wonder what was going on there and if that was a problem just in pre-production or if some mis-labled ones made it out into the public.

Supermau

I just mounted these on my Giant Anyroad a week ago. I don't have a lot of miles on them yet but so far they feel excellent. Mine measure a true 38 on the rims.

Sundog3478

Can't tell from your picture - are they the 60 tpi or 120 tpi version?

Supermau

120

Sundog3478

Plenty of room on my Mares. They measure exactly 38mm at 65 lbs. Trying them out tomorrow night.

Sundog3478

Front.

Sundog3478

Rear stay clearance. Hard to get a good shot.

allroader55

There are 2 different versions of this tire (actually 4 if you count the open tubulars) in vulcanized form, a 60 tpi (the "Plus") and a 120 tpi (the "Race"). I have ordered the 120 tpi Race for my Giant Allroad. Whenever I get them set up, I will post some comments. The Conti CycloXKing was one of my other leading choices, but I decided to try this Challenge tire first.

Sundog3478

I have the 120 tpi version. So far - I am not missing the knobs of my cross tires when I'm on loose gravel or packed single track. Seems to roll fine over normal pavement - but not as fast as i had expected.

I think this one is a winner for me.

09box

How do they roll on pavement? Are they heavy?

Sundog3478

They are less than 400g each - I think around 370 - 380.

keepamonte

I don't know where you live but I had similar clearance on my CX bike and out here in Oklahoma, when it rains we get this stuff called peanut butter. It's a combo of red mud and stones. During a few races in this peanut butter, after I would clean my bike, I noticed the carbon chain stays were eroding! I now own a steel bike for gravel/adventure riding.

Sundog3478

Nothing like that here - that I've noticed. Sorry you cannot take advantage of carbon where you live.

2wheelCambria

I'm in OK too...now I am EXTRA glad I didn't spend extra money to go carbon for my new gravel bike!

Hill-Pumper

For those running these, what tube are you running? I am considering using the matching Challenge latex tubes with a little sealant, but it is new territory for me with the latex tubes.

Sundog3478

I'm using regular ol' tubes. Whatever focus put in the original tires.

keepamonte

I'm not, been tubeless since I got them! Attached to a HEDC2+ Rims

Sundog3478

I did a few laps at what is essentially a CX course - after a rainy morning. This is about as muddy a route as I'm inclined to ride. There was plenty of room with the Challenge Gravel Grinder 38s:





The gravel tire is not likely ideal for the conditions that I faced today. I was unable to make it up one muddy hill - and i nearly washed out a couple of times. I'd put a true knobby set back on - and try that, next time.