Bought these from Bike Tires Direct less than a year ago for a weekly trainer and occasional gravel ride entry. Very difficult to mount (pinched one tube on my first tire and took the second one to LBS to mount). Easier to re-mount after time on the rim. Fairly fast and comfortable tire with decent grip. Rolling resistance decline is noticeable compared to road tires they replaced. Biggest complaint is I got a flat on mile 11 and gash on mile 18 at recent gravel ride and DNF. The sidewalls have no puncture protection and are susceptible to rock cuts. I bought a replacement to give them one more shot but may have to try something different before entering another gravel race. I have only put around 500 miles on these and they have cost me several tubes and one tire already - expected more for what I paid!
Mounted tires for 30 years without major problems. These tires however are a total nightmare to mount.
Pre-Stretching, heating up, Talcum powder....still unmountable on DT Swiss rims. Gave up after hours of trying.
All 4 tires went straight in the garbage. Even if I could have mounted them at home, on the trail in cold weather there is no way you can fix a flat.
Picked up a set of the Tan wall Pro Series version, Fun mixed surface and supple tire, 260 TPI
Rides really well for a great dry dirt, gravel, even cross legal at 33C Have larger tires for rough days.
No issues mounting, put them on some older American Classic 420's,, they are tight, all Challenge are.
Im issuing a rare DO NOT BUY. I have changed many tires before but These are the first I that could not get mounted (Zipp 303 rims). After an hour of struggling to get one tire on I gave up, just way too tight. Figured if one flats on the trailroad I could never change.
