Hutchinson Challenger £54.99

Airshield is the technology that makes Hutchinson’s tyres airtight, with no sidewall porosity thanks to an integrated butyl layer. There is also a coating around the bead to prevent air leaks. Hutchinson is so confident in the Airshield technology that it suggests the tyre can be run without any sealant at all, particularly as the Hardshield puncture protection should prevent most flat tyres. This mixes a polyamide reinforcement beneath the whole tread and a very tough Aramid strip that runs under the centre of the tyre where it contacts the ground most.

“Hmmm, that’s a lot of rubber,” was my first thought on unboxing these beefy tyres, and I prepared myself for a big battle to get them onto the rim. Thankfully, only the slightest nudge from a tyre lever was required. Furthermore, inflation was instant and they didn’t seem to lose any pressure. So Airshield seems to work. What was noticeable after removing the tyres was the lack of sealant stuck to the their inner walls. In the event of a puncture, this should, theoretically, mean there is plenty of sealant to fill any holes. However, there is also the risk that if it doesn’t stick, it won’t seal.

The Challenger was at the slower end of the speed spectrum but the advantages of the no-hassle tubeless set-up combined with Airshield cannot be underestimated. For many riders, the Challenger, with its claimed 10,000km lifespan, would be the best ‘fit-andforget’ option.

I measured 7mm depth of rubber, so it’s no wonder they can last so long. For such a chunky tyre, the ride quality is very good, and in isolation, there is nothing much to complain about.

■ Available widths: 25, 28, 32mm

■ Measured width on 17mm rim: 27.5mm

■ Hooked/hookless

■ Compound: Endurance Bicompound

■ TPI: 127