If you are racing domestic cyclocross this season, and will be focused on the regions with greater hardpack course offerings, you have to mount up the Challenge Fango 33 Tubular tire. This tire is fast rolling, with an open, but intricate tread pattern that is ideally suited to hardpack, loose over hardpack, and firm conditions. Challenge knows that courses are made up with varied terrain and obstacles, but with optimal tire selection, you have to examine the majority of terrain in a race. The tread designer didn't forget about mud and sand, so you will still have the versatility you need, and be able to maximize speed and control on firmer ground. You won't be running this Fango 33 in UCI races, but it is ideal for many domestic races. Note- Challenge has changed their tire labeling and we have stock with both old and new labels under separate item numbers. The tire are otherwise exactly the same.

The directional center tread pattern consists of a small triangular knob with ramped edges and a slight tail. as well as an elongated diamond knob that is also ramped on all edges, and has a concave center. To us, and Excel Sports sits in a hardpack region, this is a clear demonstration that Challenge understands that hardpack doesn't always mean smooth, or flat. The terrain can be fairly rugged with small and large hard, sharp features. Many hardpack-specific tires offer a more tightly spaced, consistent low profile pattern that is fast and works best on flat hardpack, but the Fango is a different animal, offering grip, speed, and comfort even on rougher hard and loose terrain. Secondary to the center ridge sit small diamond treads, which again add traction at speed right before the tire transitions to angled triangular knobs on the shoulders. These bite and grab in corners of all types, and feel particularly sure in off-camber situations. The outer tread knobs are paired- a small square knob inside a ramped edge knobs with a half ellipse, elongated shape that runs close to the rubber tread edge.

The net effect is excellent traction and the ability to rip through soft material without sacrificing propulsion. Given the massive effective pressure range of 23-90 psi, you can truly set-up the Fango 33 Tubular to the course requirements, and at lower pressures the footprint and tread pattern will provide incredibly diverse traction without sacrificing speed

Challenge builds the Fango tubular with it's 300 tpi SuperPoly casing, a lightweight fine weave of soft polyester fibers that is both supple and resilient- perfect for cross racing. You get added protection from the PPS puncture strip, which is constructed like a fabric, with properties that match the casing for excellent ride consistency. The casing and PPS protect the seamless latex inner tube, which is elastic in nature and reduces overall friction within the tire. The Fango reacts, responds and rolls faster as a result of this combination.

The Fango 33 Tubular is a great race tire that is more versatile than billed, but still leans towards excellence in hardpack conditions. We are very impressed with the grip and traction, as well as the Fango's ability to hold its own in occasional mud and sand. If you race cross, and optimize your tires to race course types, you have to own a set of Fango's. Front or rear, you can't go wrong.

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