When searching for the perfect cyclocross tread, sometimes the faithful Challenge Grifo isn’t enough, and a Limus is overkill. That’s where Challenge’s Flandrien tread steps in—splitting the difference between all-conditions speed and mid-winter grip. Now you can get the Challenge Flandrien tread in the brand’s popular handmade tubeless casing, in Team Edition 320 TPI.
What’s New? Challenge Flandrien TE Handmade TLR
New for 2025, the Challenge Flandrien TLR brings the previously tubular-only tread to a tubeless-ready (and hookless-compatible) format, offering more flexibility for modern race setups without sacrificing the pro-level ride feel Challenge is known for. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a sloppy off-camber or greasy grass corner, wondering which tire to gamble on, the Flandrien might be your answer, now with no glue required.
Details: Challenge Flandrien TE Handmade TLR
- Handmade 320TPI Corespun Cotton Casing: for that ultra-supple feel Challenge fans swear by.
- SMARTsoft Rubber Compound: fine-tuned with help from world-class ‘cross athletes, providing dialed-in cornering grip and confident braking traction.
- Tread: the same Flandrien tread as the tubular model; Aggressive, widely spaced knobs designed to bite into the top layer of mud, clearing that mud when the time comes, all the while keeping rolling resistance low (for a wet-weather tread).
- Hookless Rim Compatibility: built to stay within UCI width rules when paired with rims up to 23mm (actually 25mm on our test) internal width.
- PPS Puncture Protection Layer: tucked under the tread for peace of mind during hard-fought laps.
First Impressions: UCI Legal, Tubular Feel, Hookless Compatible
Just in time for cyclocross prepper mania, we got our hands on a pre-release set of the Flandrien TE Handmade TLRs. Though we didn’t get the super muddy conditions that the Flandrien excels at in our test window, we certainly got enough time on them to have an impression.
Directly from the packaging, tubeless tires from Challenge have a tubular feel, regardless of the model—this is primarily due to the cotton casing and high TPI (threads per inch) they use in construction. The Red Team Edition Tires are slightly more supple, with an upped TPI (from 300 to 320 TPI) from the Challenge Pro line, and Challenge’s SMARTsoft rubber. The SMARTsoft rubber is slightly softer and meant for race conditions (mostly grass, mud, closed cyclocross course stuff). In my experience, the softer SMARTsoft compound wears slightly faster compared to a PRO line Challenge tire (it’s not a commuter tire), but it’s usually reserved as a race-day tire for most riders.
The tread is exactly the same as the Challenge Flandrien that I reviewed here. It’s a fast rolling tread with a thin and tight center tread and very open shoulders. The outermost side knobs are the same you’ll see on most Challenge tires, made famous by the Limus mud tread. However, on the Flandrien, the tread is slightly thinner, allowing it to flex and conform to whatever it’s rolling through or over.
Installation and Inflation
I mounted the new Challenge Flandrien TE Handmade TLR to the Zipp 303 SW with the Zipp AXS pressure sensor. The updated Zipp 303 SW wheels (you can read about them here) have a 25mm internal rim width and stout hookless bead. I was curious to see if they would pass the UCI block (we have our own BikeRumor block) with the wider 25mm internal width of the Zipp.
After a relatively easy mounting process (follow this video for Challenge tire mounting and you’ll be good this ‘cross season), I injected sealant and inflated. It took slightly longer to seat with a floor pump, but they popped and landed at a 33.31mm at 35psi. At cyclocross racing pressure (more like 22-25psi), they are 33.12mm and pass the block with no pressure (or bike polish) needed.
UCI Compliance & Some
Did a wider 25mm internal rim width mess with the tire shape? No, though they do look slightly different with the Zipp 303 SW hookless wheels, almost like the tires aren’t fully seated. But let me assure you — they are. The shape of the tire looks slightly flatter than the tubular version on the 25mm internal rim width of the Zipp 303 SW, but it’s not noticeable while riding.
The advantage of a tubular tire is that the tire will remain in that shape and width no matter what. But with various internal rim widths (mostly 21-25mm for tires 28-35mm), clincher tires can present a different profile than intended. Challenge designed this tire (and all of the Team Edition tires) for operation within the UCI rule of max 33mm tires for cyclocross within UCI-sanctioned races (not your local race, so don’t get too worried). The TLR Flandrien TE will measure 33mm when paired with a 21mm – 25mm internal rim width, and get you cleared to start your UCI race.
Challenge Flandrien TE Handmade TLR; How Do They Ride?
I’m lucky that my review time during the Challenge Flandrien coincided with our yearly (and 24th) Cycle-Smart Cyclocross camp. So, nearly all my riding was on a (dry) cyclocross course.
I started my first shakeout ride with the tires at training pressure (enough to feel the course, but high enough not to get a pinch flat) for me, around 26 front and 27psi rear usually works, and I’m about 163lbs for reference.
A Most Tubular Feel
My first sensation while rolling around the course is, “these feel like tubulars.” All of the Challenge TE TLR tires have an excellent feel and are very close to a tubular feel, the closest available in my opinion. But the Team Edition Red casing feels very much like a tubular tire.
Paired with the Zipp 303 SW wheels, the Flandrien feels like a tubular race tire on race day wheels, but with the ability to change them if needed (pre-race & no peeling off tires). Ride and feel wise, the TLR version of the Flandrien felt nearly as smooth as the tubular version.
The drawbacks are a bit more rim contact over larger roots and rocks on the course. I chalk that up to the wider rim I chose to mount them to. But to my surprise, I encountered no flats during my test period, and I have many ‘cross camp attendiee that can attest to my many loud rim hits. Many times on course, I forgot that I was riding a TLR tire and not tubulars. I would also chalk that up to the pairing of a performance tire to a performance wheel.
More TLR Cyclocross Race Tires
The Flandrien is an excellent-performing mud tire, and having it in a Team Edition TLR will give more riders access to its performance. With the world of readily available tubular wheelsets diminishing yearly, it’s great to see an option for performance that works with modern cyclocross gear.
Challenge Flandrien TE Handmade TLR – Tech Specs
- Size: 700x33c
- Casing: Handmade 320TPI corespun cotton
- Compound: SMARTsoft natural rubber
- Type: Tubeless Ready (hookless compatible)
- Puncture Protection: PPS layer
- Color: Red label
- UCI Legal: Yes – they measure 33.31 on our caliper and pass our UCI test block with Zipp 303 with a 25mm internal, and hookless bead
- MSRP: $99.00
- Weight: 369g (actual)
- Available: Fall 2024
Stay tuned for a full-season review once we get more race days on them.
