CHALLENGE PARIS ROUBAIX TLR VULCANIZED 27MM

£50 Could they stand up to the Hell of the North?

WEIGHT 295g per tyre

Challenge is best known for its handmade clincher and tubular tyres but, as most things handmade, they command a premium. That said, they also use the more common vulcanized manufacturing process (heat is used to cure the various elements of the tyre together) with a 120 TPI casing and Aramid bead, which makes these tyres more affordable and better in-line with the other tyres in this test.

Installation requires a rim with a hooked bead, as specified on the tyre sidewall. They presented more of a challenge than other tyres to fit but, once inflated using a tubeless track pump, the tyres suffered minimal air loss. Challenge advises a low tyre pressure range, which is welcome, and they performed well at 60-75psi.

The tyres coped well with broken roads, delivering a smooth feel. They will handle dirt and some gravel, too, with ample durability. They’re not the most supple compared to the company’s handmade open tubulars or other tubeless tyres, such as the Vittoria, but the low pressures help in this department. You enjoy the same distinctive herringbone tread pattern as the top-end tyres, aimed at increasing traction on challenging surfaces.

These TLRs have a good turn of pace that will appeal to cyclists looking for a speedy wide tyre that’s good enough for racing as well as relaxed long-distance rides. Puncture resistance is improved with the use of tubeless sealant backing up the puncture-resistance layer beneath the centre of the tread.

Tubeless sealant backs up the puncture-resistant layer beneath the centre of the tread