Road Bike Tire Test: Challenge Criterium RS (white) 30
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 9.1 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 54 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 60 Points
- Conclusion: 3.5 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Challenge Criterium RS (white) 30
(100% is best)
The Criterium RS is Challenge's ultimate performance tire and comes with a 350 TPI handmade tubeless-ready casing and their new SmartPrime compound. Challenge claims the Criterium RS is the "perfect mix of speed, grip, and durability while at the same time providing refined control and shock absorption capabilities thanks to its handmade construction." They also claim it's one of the lowest rolling resistance tires thanks to the new SmartPrime compound.
The Criterium RS is one of the few tires we know of that is available with white sidewalls, and we must admit it's a beautiful tire. We've already tested the 25 mm size of the Criterium RS in 2023 (read our review) and found it to be a fast tire with excellent tread puncture resistance, but the performance in our wet grip test was below expectations.
Since 2023, Challenge has updated the available sizes of the Criterium RS and added the larger 28 mm and 30 mm sizes to be more in line with what the market currently demands. As the wet grip of the 25 mm Criterium RS was lacking, we're especially curious if Challenge made some changes here or if the bigger sizes add grip just from the bigger contact patch alone.
If you don't like the white sidewalls, black sidewalls are also available in all sizes, although we're not sure why you would want to do that. Let's take another look at the Criterium RS and see how it performs compared to the latest high-performance road bike tires.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Challenge |
| Model | Criterium RS (white) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Very High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 00156 |
| EAN | 8855627001563 |
| TPI | 350 |
| Compound | Smartprime |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 30-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 30 |
| Specified Weight | 285 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 80 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
25-622 (700x25c) 28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) |
Challenge Criterium RS (white) 30 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 285 grams |
| Measured Weight | 282 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
302 grams |
| Measured Width | 29 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 26 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.5 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 81 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Members Only |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | None (20 ml sealant) |
| Measured Width | 29 mm (un-round) |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar 25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar 28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 barUltra High Air Pressure (108 psi / 7.4 bar) |
9.1 Watts CRR: 0.00273 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar 25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar 28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 barExtra High Air Pressure (90 psi / 6.2 bar) |
9.6 Watts CRR: 0.00288 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar 25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar 28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 barHigh Air Pressure (72 psi /5.0 bar) |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 barMedium Air Pressure (54 psi / 3.7 bar) |
Members Only |
| The Road Bike 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
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 54 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 | 2.5 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 60 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Challenge Criterium RS (white) 30
(100% is best)
When we forget about the wet grip, the Challenge Criterium RS is one of the best-performing road bike tires out there. It rolls fast, is light, looks great, and offers better tread puncture resistance than the competition. The big downfall is the terrible performance in the wet grip test, which is made even worse by the edge grip being substantially lower than the center grip. If the grip isn't there, all of the other performance factors become irrelevant when you suddenly face a wet or damp surface.
We expected the wet grip of the 30 mm size of the Criterium RS to be better than the 25 mm version we tested in 2023, but this is not the case. If you ever ride in the rain, look at other tires, as wet grip should be one of your top priorities.
We only recommend the Challenge Criterium RS for summer use and 100% dry conditions.
RATING:
3.5
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended