Challenge is a well-known brand in the world of cyclo-cross that has now developed a designed tyre for gravel bikes. The brand's expertise has been put to good use, resulting in a tyre that performs exceptionally well delivering a good balance of speed and grip that is unmatched by any other tyre on the market. However, the Gravine's superior performance comes at a cost - it has a thin carcass and a lofty price tag.
- Challenge Getaway Handmade gravel tyre review
- Schwalbe G-One R tyre review
- Continental Terra Trail tyre review
If you are familiar with the names Grifo and Limus, then you probably know your cyclo-cross tyres. These two models are the most-seen tyres at British cyclocross events and even at World Cups. Although Challenge is a trusted and reputable brand in the world of cyclo-cross racing, they have been slow to enter the gravel market.
Challenge Gravine PRO tyres - Technical details
The Challenge Getaway was the first tyre designed for gravel and offered more than just a file tread. However, it's geared towards faster conditions. On the other hand, the Gravine has a very open tread design that is almost opposite to the Getaway. The Gravine is only available in a single 40mm width and comes in two versions: PRO with handmade SuperPoly carcass and XP (Extra Protection) with a black sidewall and an additional puncture protection layer. Our 700x40mm tyres weighed 487g each, which is 2g more than the claimed weight.
The Challenge Gravine PRO tyres are handmade and feature a SuperPoly Corazza Armor casing. There is a Ganzo PPS2 puncture protection system between the casing and the rubber tread, which means the sidewall has no protection. The tan-coloured sidewall may look like a cotton casing but it is made of polyester which is claimed to be softer and stronger than nylon and is commonly used in tyre casings. The thread count of the Gravine PRO is among the highest you will find at 260tpi, whereas most nylon casing figures are usually 60- or 120tpi.
Challenge Gravine PRO tyres - Installation
The previous open tubular design was notoriously difficult to fit. Steve had issues with the Challenge Getaway tyres and the Gravine suffered the same issues. They are quite tight on the rim, but the biggest problem is how flat they lie as they are packaged. This makes it tough to seat the bead correctly. After some practice, the second tyre was somewhat easier but adding sealant was still a challenge. If you prefer to add sealant before fully mounting the tyre, as I usually do, it is almost impossible to do without creating a big mess. There are also issues adding sealant through the valve stem simply because it lies so flat.
I found it best to mount and inflate the tyre without sealant and, after the air is removed, add sealant through the valve. If you choose to use an inner tube or need to add one following a trailside repair, care will be needed not to pinch the tube. This is due to the way the tyre sits and the difficulty getting behind the aramid bead.
Challenge claims the flat carcass shape has better performance benefits than the more common horseshoe shape you find with vulcanised rubber tyres. These benefits include improved impact absorption and lower rolling resistance. Once fitted and with sealant added, inflating the tyre was relatively easy with just a track pump. The tyre inflated to a true 40mm width when fitted to rims with a relatively narrow 21mm or WTB CZR i23 with 23mm ID. Some air leaked through the edges of the sidewall at first but, after a short ride and allowing time for the sealant to fully cover the inside of the tyre, the bubbles and visible air loss stopped. This is expected to an extent with TLR tyres.
Challenge Gravine PRO tyres - Performance
The Gravine tyre is designed mainly for mud and loose conditions. However, it performed exceptionally well on almost all surfaces. On dry, typical forest road tracks, its cornering grip is a significant highlight and it feels like it has considerably more grip than most typical gravel tyres, providing extra confidence for faster descents.
The traction is also excellent for climbing and braking and, when the surface becomes a little looser, there is still enough grip to keep confidence high. Through mud, it digs in and I was climbing steep gradients that I never expected to summit, with the tyre clearing mud well as speed increases. The levels of grip are helped by such a supple carcass, which helps with comfort, but I found the primary benefit of the supple carcass to be the amount of feel and feedback you get back as a result.
The Gravine is designed to be a high-performance tyre, which prioritises speed and grip. This makes it challenging to compare it with other tyres as few others share these traits. There aren't any third-party tests available to measure its rolling resistance but, in my experience, it doesn't seem to roll as quickly as some of the top-rated tyres. The Schwalbe G-One RS remains my personal favourite for its low rolling resistance but that is nearly slick and not suitable for muddier terrain. The Gravine has a unique tread design compared to other tyres with similar tread depth and height. The Continental Terra Trail is somewhat similar, while the Schwalbe G-One R has a much closer spread tread pattern, which is not ideal for muddier tracks. In terms of grip, the Gravine is close to the Hutchinson Tundra – a tyre designed for adventure with a more robust casing.
The supple casing has a PPS2 puncture resistance layer between the carcass and tread but it only covers the treated area. This is typical for race-oriented tyres that prioritise speed and performance, which may increase the risk of punctures. I would advise against using these tyres for riders, events or races where sharp stones are common. However, I have not experienced any punctures while riding on these tyres, even on various types of terrain. Nevertheless, it's important to consider the limits of a 485g tyre with a thin carcass before deciding to ride it.
Currently, Challenge is only manufacturing the tyre in a 40mm width. However, if the tyre follows the same production path as the Getaway, which released sizes individually, we may see additional options becoming available in the future. I would like to see a 45mm size added to the range, as despite new bike tyre clearance generally increasing, there are few other tyre options available in a 45mm width that offer the same level of grip and performance as the Gravine, meaning it would fill a useful space in the market.
Challenge Gravine PRO tyres - Verdict
If you come across the word "handmade" in tyre titles, expect a high price. The Challenge Gravine follows this trend, but like other high-performance options from big brands, it is priced at £83 per tyre.
The Continental Terra Trail Black Chilli tyres are priced at £66 per tyre and the Schwalbe G-One R and RS models are priced at £75 per tyre. René Herse is a tyre brand that offers high-priced and high-volume options. The Hurricane Ridge TC model provides a similar wide-ranging grip, starting from £82 and going up to £101 for the Endurance Plus casing.
The Challenge Gravine tyres may not appeal to everyone, especially given the high price. However, for conditions where speed and grip are essential, few options offer the same blend. Although I was initially frustrated when trying to fit the tyres and add sealant, their performance in a wide range of conditions has made them stand out from other options. While puncture resistance may be a trade-off, the speed is excellent.