We love this tire - and now it is available in Red!!!
Soma 650b x 38mm tire. This is the one that goes to a true 38mm. It is very much like a Panaracer Pasela. This is the version that doesn't have the inner Hypertex liner, so this one goes to a true 38mm and should be faster. If you ride over lots of flat provoking debris, than go with the narrower Hypertex version. But if you like comfort and speed, this tire is just the ticket. For many bikes, the 42mm Hertre won't fit, and the Paris Moto wears too fast, so this tire is a great all around choice.
Now on sale - this tire is so awesome we want more folks to experience how great this tire is! Black tread.
Soma 650b x 38mm tire. This is the one that goes to a true 38mm. It is very much like a Panaracer Pasela. This is the version that doesn't have the inner Hypertex liner, so this one goes to a true 38mm and should be faster. If you ride over lots of flat provoking debris, than go with the narrower Hypertex version. But if you like comfort and speed, this tire is just the ticket. For many bikes, the 42mm Hertre won't fit, and the Paris Moto wears too fast, so this tire is a great all around choice.
Shown in the photo is the non-Hypertex version in black. You are getting the Hypertex version with White TREAD.
This is the one is more like 35mm. It is very much like a Panaracer Pasela. This is the version that has the inner Hypertex liner, so this one goes to 35nn. If you ride over lots of flat provoking debris, then this is the ticket. We ran some prototypes of these last winter and we loved them - not as fast as a Hetre (or as comfortable or wide), but this tire did great in the snow. We expect it is probably pretty fine in the dirt too. So for the off-season alternative tire, this one is perfect! Get some extra confidence when commuting.
Shown in the photo is the non-Hypertex version in black. You are getting the Hypertex version with RED TREAD.
This is the one is more like 35mm. It is very much like a Panaracer Pasela. This is the version that has the inner Hypertex liner, so this one goes to 35nn. If you ride over lots of flat provoking debris, then this is the ticket. We ran some prototypes of these last winter and we loved them - not as fast as a Hetre (or as comfortable or wide), but this tire did great in the snow. We expect it is probably pretty fine in the dirt too. So for the off-season alternative tire, this one is perfect! Get some extra confidence when commuting.
Shown in the photo is the non-Hypertex version. Here you are getting the hypertex version with black tread.
This is the one is more like 35mm. It is very much like a Panaracer Pasela. This is the version that has the inner Hypertex liner, so this one goes to 35nn. If you ride over lots of flat provoking debris, then this is the ticket. We ran some prototypes of these last winter and we loved them - not as fast as a Hetre (or as comfortable or wide), but this tire did great in the snow. We expect it is probably pretty fine in the dirt too. So for the off-season alternative tire, this one is perfect! Get some extra confidence when commuting.
Michelin 700c Tube. A high quality tube from the name you trust. Rated at 25-32mm. So for a true wide 700c tube, this is tops in quality.
Note: These have a roughly 40mm long valve - not the real long ones often used with deep aero rims. So these are great with the more traditional rims our customers typically use.
Michelin 700c Tube. A high quality tube from the name you trust. Rated at 18/23, we use these on much wider tires and that kinda "thins it out" to make it an ideal lightweight tube. Has the shorter valve stem that most folks using traditional box rims or modern rims such as the Velocity Synergy will find ideal. Some folks say you shouldn't use "undersize" tubes as there can be cut issues near the valve stem. We have not seen this as a problem on rims with nice rim strip protection.
Note: These have a roughly 40mm long valve - not the real long ones often used with deep aero rims. So these are great with the more traditional rims our customers typically use.
Grand Bois 650b Extra Leger 42mm tire in Black tread, tan sidewall.
This is the superlight version of the pathbreaking Hetre tire. The Hetre tire was a game changer for the bike industry - the comfort and speed provided by the regular weight version changed the expectations of how both comfort and speed could be realized.
We have not logged miles on this new version yet, but we understand the the performance gains from going to the lightweight casing is striking. This is the ultimate realization of both speeed and comfort. The casing is very light, so we can't say yet how this tire's durability compares with the stock Hetre. But for that ultimate comfortable and fast ride, this tire represents the absolute state of the art.
Grand Bois 700c 30mm tire. (compass now calls it a 32). Extra light model (extra leger). Has black sidewalls (black is all that is currently available from Grand Bois for this tire).
A number of years ago, a wide and supple clincher was just a dream. Now it is a reality. This wide 700c clincher is super comfy and very fast. The casing is very light - and the whole tire while nearly 32mm inflated is roughly the same weight as a Michelin Pro Race in 25mm!
It is hard to choose between this tire and the Challenge Eroica. This Grand Bois tire is more comfortable and certainly as fast. The Eroica is perhaps as fast and may be slightly less comfortable but the Eroica may feel more "alive" (due to its higher tpi casing then the Super Leger uses). The Eroica is a heavier tire, but does that make it more reliable? We don't know.
All we know is that this tire is awesome, and now we have the joy of trying to determine which awesome tire is more awesome then the other. We like this problem!
A new clincher from Challenge in gorgeous tan sidewalls and black tread! It is stated to be around 25mm, it should be a true 24 to 25mm or so. This tire looks great. It is 260tpi.
This is the best looking tire in the 24 to 26mm size range that we have seen in decades!
We have not tested this tire yet - but we suspect it will be a new "favorite". It is around 290g or so we think (estimate from our scale). It has a bit more material than the super light Vittoria 25mm open, but that tire is often seen as a bit too delicate. This tire we hope will be in the sweet spot of being a great user and super comfortable and lively like most of the other Challenge tires.
We love this tire. For years we've dreamed of a wide 700c clincher tire with the look and feel of a tubular.
We stock this tire only in black tread and tan sidewalls. The classic look.
Up to now, most clincher tires didn't have the wonderful casings we typically associate with the finest handmade tires. But finally our wish has been granted. These tires weigh around 275g to 300g, and are rated at 27mm. In reality, under pressure, they meassure out closer to 29mm (depends a bit on the rim you use). We tried these on the 1972 Cinelli here at the shop and they are very sweet indeed! We also run them on the new Rene Herse Randonneur bicycle as well as our Boulder Bicycle models. These tires can sometimes be hard to mount, but even the tighest ones can will fit with some stretching. Most often, though, they go right on.
Latex tubes are known for giving that extra performance edge. We now have Latex tubes from Challenge designed for wide 700c tires - rated for 28 to 35mm. We have not used them ourselves, but word on the street is that they are mighty nice!
They have a medium length valve stem - 47.5mm which is a 2 piece design.
The ultimate wide clincher we have been waiting for! The ride is wonderful! Super comfortable, fast - and the tire makes the bike feel alive!
Now in stock for immediate shipment!
The tire is very classic looking - brown sidewalls with black tread. Looks fantastic on the shop 1971 Cinelli!
This is the tire we've been dreaming about for nearly 10 years! It is a wide tire, rated at 30mm but grows to around 31mm - perhaps even close to 32, but the ones on our shop bike around 30.5 to 31mm or so.
Challenge tires tend to be extremely fast and comfortable, but more flat prone. But gosh its easier to deal with a flat on a clincher than on a tubular.
Sign In
