Challenge Criterium RS TE Tubeless Clincher Review

The Challenge Criterium RS TLR is known to be an extraordinarily supple, handcrafted Tubeless-Ready Clincher with a high TPI, plenty of grip, and low rolling resistance. Its list price may seem outrageously high - but in return, its buyers are supposed to be delighted with better rolling characteristics and higher puncture protection than those offered by competitors like Conti, Schwalbe, and Co. This fact is also confirmed by the independent test bench results from Bicyclerollingresistance.com (see screenshots below). In terms of weight, rolling resistance (RoWi), and puncture protection, the Challenge is at least ahead in the lab, and it also allows for higher pressures, which makes it particularly interesting for time trialists or triathletes. The only concession it makes is in wet grip, although its performance in this area is by no means bad, just average.

Johannes Krenn, better known as Bikeboards' Dr.Hannibal, grabbed a set in 25C and tested the Italians for several months to see if they live up to their promises in everyday practice.

After the rather elaborate assembly procedure, the first 650 kilometers went remarkably unnoticed. The Challenge RS tires rolled, gripped, and remained sealed. After that, the rear wheel was swapped to a Zipp Super 9 (non-tubeless) and I mounted the rear tire with a Challenge latex tube. On the narrower rim, the tire only measured 24.3 millimeters in width. An additional 300 kilometers including the race "Triathlon Relay - The Championship: Challenge Samorin Middle Distance" in Slovakia, where we managed to achieve a good fifth place, confirmed the previous product claims.

In the front, I rode the Criterium RS TE Tubeless with 6.5 Bar and in the rear with a latex tube and 7 Bar. After a total of 950 kilometers, only minor signs of wear on the rear wheel - without any notable cuts - are visible, punctures front and rear: 0. Compared to the Vittoria Corsa Speed, the Criterium also convey (independently of their better test stand results) a more secure feeling because they are not as thin-skinned; yet, they feel extremely supple and fast. I also find their grip to be enormously high and I could carve the corners at will, until the tires discreetly announced their limit with a quiet squealing. However, it could also be that I just imagined that - since I never slipped, let alone crashed, and of course, I cannot say with certainty where their exact limit was.

Fast in races, but also robust enough for training - a real competition tire that doesn't need to hide from the competition in terms of rolling resistance, grip, and puncture protection. Although patience and skilled mechanics are an advantage during installation, you will be rewarded with excellent performance and an extravagant look (= looks awesome).

The list price is very high, but it can be tolerated in light of the handcrafted construction, the low rolling resistance, the smooth handling, and the good damping properties on poor road surfaces.