Cyclocross Tires

Fantastic overall cross race tire. I actually prefer these to the higher end Challenge tires. They're easier to mount and more durable. Plus they are designed for a slightly narrowed internal rim width, so when placed on internal rim widths of 20mm+ they plump out to be around 35mm wide - which is a little more comfortable and I think is perfect for my local CX scene.

4 stars because the sidewalls on all the Grifo's I've ever purchased seem to be a little thin and tend to leak a little sealant through the CX season. Not a big deal, but it does mean you need to top off a little more often than other Challenge tires.

I've raced with Challenge tubular tires forever but decided to give these a shot. I can say that they ride very, very similarly to the tubular version. Honestly not sure I could tell the difference if I did a blind test.

Very grippy on grass (wet or dry) and less prone to fold-over like some tubular tires so cornering is very precise.

I did have one get a sidewall puncture from a rock strike that wouldn't seal. I ended up having to use an internal patch and relegate it to a training tire. Otherwise they seem to be fairly durable.

Like others have said these are *extremely* difficult to mount. I bought the Challenge tool and didn't think it was much help. Only way I could mount is using a Tyre Glider. With some patience and effort you can get them on. Overall way easier than gluing up a tubular. Once they're mounted, removing and remounting is WAY easier.

I have ridden about 20 miles of hard scrabblesand roads in SW Florida on these tires so far, and about 60 miles of roadsidewalk surface. They do exceptionally well on the unpaved roads, that have some ruts and rounded pebbles that can jar a rider to no end. These tires, when maintained around 60 psi, show remarkable ability to smooth out the ride, despite their somewhat narrow width. They are true 30 mm, as advertised, which was important on my Specialized Sirrus elite carbon framed bike, because wider tires will not fit. Great tire all around especially for the low price. Not super fast on hard roads, but light in weight and a superior compromise for tires that are aggressive in sand and cinder.

With their massive knobbies, these tires are excellent for muddy conditions. They shed mud well, and they bite into it very well, similar to Clement's PDX. I found them a bit unstable transitioning from mud to asphalt, but nothing alarming, just have to be a bit on the cautious side.

Sidewalls are very supple, more so than the PDX, making it a better choice when having to ride off-camber muddy sections.