CX/Gravel Tire Test: Challenge Strada Bianca Race TLR 36

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  • Challenge Strada Bianca Race TLR 36
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts



Challenge Strada Bianca Race TLR 36 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

The Challenge Strada Bianca is available in many different versions that range from handmade tubeless-ready, handmade tubular, handmade tubeless tubular, handmade clincher, vulcanized tubeless-ready, and vulcanized clincher. With this many versions of the same tire, it can be challenging to pick the version that best suits your needs.


Ad Buy Challenge Strada Bianca Race TLR at Amazon.com


We've already tested the handmade tubeless-ready (HTLR) version of the Strada Bianca "Pro" (read our review) and found it to be a very fast rolling tire with good puncture resistance. The handmade tubeless-ready version is quite an expensive tire which is where the vulcanized tubeless-ready "Race" version comes in, as it's available at much better prices.


The vulcanized Strada Bianca comes with a classic 120 TPI "Nylon Superlight" casing with no extra puncture protection under the tread (the handmade version comes with PPS2 protection). It's available in the 30, 36, and 40 mm sizes and a 46 mm wide 650b version. We can't find much about the compound, so we're unsure if this is the same compound used on the handmade version.


This is a test of the 36-622 version with brown sidewalls. As we also tested the 36 mm version of the handmade tubeless-ready version, this will make for an excellent comparison.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Challenge
Model Strada Bianca Race TLR
Year 2022
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number 02089
EAN8855627020892
TPI 120
Compound -
Bead Folding
ETRTO 36-622
Specified Weight 0 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 55
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 30-622 (700x30c)
36-622 (700x36c)
40-622 (700x40c)
46-584 (650x46b)

Challenge Strada Bianca Race TLR 36 Test Results

Challenge Strada Bianca Race TLR 36  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 0 grams
Measured Weight 395 grams
Measured Width Casing 35 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 35 mm
Measured Height 32 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 0.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 0.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 3.00 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results


Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube None (30 ml sealant)

(current protocol)
Conti Cross28 (160 gr)

(test protocol)
Measured Width 35 mm 35 mm
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar
33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar
36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar
39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar
47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
High Air Pressure

(60 psi / 4.1 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar
33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar
39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar
47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 bar
Medium Air Pressure

(50 psi / 3.4 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar
33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar
36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar
39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar
47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 bar
Low Air Pressure

(40 psi / 2.8 bar)
21.2 Watts
CRR: 0.00635
25.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00749
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar
36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar
39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar
43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar
47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 bar
Extra Low Air Pressure

(30 psi / 2.1 bar)
25.2 Watts
CRR: 0.00755
30.2 Watts
CRR: 0.00905
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width.

All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs.

Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Challenge Strada Bianca Race TLR 36  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 37 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 3.00 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Challenge Strada Bianca Race TLR road bike tire on a grip test machine
Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average 71 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 0.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 0.2 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100
CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion


  • Challenge Strada Bianca Race TLR 36
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

Compared to the more expensive handmade tubeless-ready version of the Strada Bianca (read our review), the vulcanized version rolls slower and offers less puncture protection. The biggest potential problem we see is the weak sidewall construction that results in thin and easy to puncture sidewalls for a tubeless-ready tire. Part of this is offset by the extremely wide tread (52.2% tread cover), covering a larger portion of the sidewalls than on most other tires.


In our wet grip test (available through Pro View), the vulcanized Strada Bianca does well and outscores the handmade tubeless-ready version that isn't that impressive when it comes to wet grip. The better wet grip probably comes from a more flexible casing as there is no stiff anti-puncture belt under the tread and possibly a different compound as these tires come from different factories.


Ad Buy Challenge Strada Bianca Race TLR at Amazon.com


RATING: 3.5 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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