Review: Challenge Criterium RS TLR

(2023) Once we mounted the Challenge Criterium RS TLR 27mm tires, we sent one of our testers to find out just how racy these new tires could be.

Years ago, in the battle of tubular versus clincher, comfort could be found in cotton sidewalls with latex tubes. This was said to be ‘much like a tubular’ feel. The comfort was unparalleled. The grip was confidence boosting. The rolling resistance was reflected in speed. For all the positives, the longevity of cotton spun casings just wasn’t there. Once the switch to tubeless was made, it felt as if the tire setups of cotton walls were unobtainable. But a well-known tire brand echoed those sentiments by adding “tubeless ready” at the end of their tubeless ready sales pitch.

Challenge tires are famous for their cyclocross presence. Yet in the last year, they have brought a road racing tubeless tire known as the Criterium RS TLR 27mm to market. With flashy white sidewalls, and a 320 tpi cotton casing, this was the tire the tubeless industry has been missing.

The details are noteworthy: Challenge claims the tires are fast, grippy, and durable due to their handmade construction. Further remarks are made about the tire’s weight, comfort, compound, and, according to Challenge, one of the lowest rolling resistance on the market. All these positives were repeated as a team of mechanics wrestled with the extremely tight bead combined with the flat mounted tread. 

It’s hard to talk about these tires without acknowledging their flashy white walls. It is a tall order to think of anyone in our history of riding who has ever sported white wall tires. Nearly everyone has black walls. There are a few riders with tanwalls, but to roll up to the group ride with white walls is making a statement. These tires sport a unique look.

Challenge Criterium RS TLR 27mm tires have brought the supple cotton casing to the Tubeless Ready arena.

Naturally the tires were tested on the standard segment near the office. For those in the immediate area, there is a segment called “Seven Down Corners.” It refers to a Perkasie road called Seven Corners Road, consisting of five ninety-degree bends with an elevation loss of roughly fifty feet. It is here where the tires were pushed. Since Giant/ Cadex does not discuss the Challenge Criterium RS TLR tires and their compatibility, each turn was a wait-and-see approach. Each turn was taken faster and tighter. The tires were barely flinching at the tight banked turns. This was entirely promising. The grip was there with tighter turns possible. It was the rider who couldn’t go faster.

Then there is the exploration of performance. Without actively using machinery to gauge rolling resistance, but instead going by feel, the Challenge Criterium RS TLR tires felt in touch with the road without sluggishness. There were no instances of debris buildup on the tread after a ride, unlike some other race tires reviewed. Meanwhile the comfort was noticeable. Challenge certainly ushered flashbacks of those gumwall days when those ‘perfect’ tires had been mounted. Yes, these tubeless ready tires could be mistaken for the cotton wall clinchers we loved so much. Though only a few hundred miles have been put on the Criteriums, the tires have held up, particularly when impacting a nasty piece of debris in the road at speed and our township’s absolutely insane obsession with chipping and sealing the same roads year after year.

There are areas where the Criteriums proved higher maintenance. First, these tires are quite pricy. Further, they are a chore to install. Perhaps adding Challenge’s Smart Bead Seating Tool to the service course bench would be helpful (though Challenge describing it as “nearly indestructible” has mechanics wondering if the one brand to “destroy" it might just be Challenge itself). Once mounted, successful sealant choice has eluded the creakybottombracket.com service course. As discovered with another tubeless cotton tire, a thick water-based sealant like Peaty’s may be a better option. The tires do lose a considerable amount of air over the days. Knowing these two setbacks is key to enjoying the Criteriums. Since these tires are like the cotton clinchers of yesteryear, you’ll be heading out for rides daily anyway, filling the tires before each ride.

There have been numerous tires reviewed on this site, and a handful of tubeless ready tires within those numbers. The Challenge Criterium RS TLR 27mm tire may be the best tire tested over the past few years. It’s grippy without accruing debris. It’s comfortable when it comes to road vibration. It has also held up a Plumsteadville Public Works chipping and sealing assault over the past few weeks that have turned favorite roads into gravel tar swamps. Be advised that these tires are absolute wrestling matches to install. Better yet, do as we did- leave all that up to the mechanic. Reap the rewards when it is time to ride some of the best tubeless tires on the market.