Do you love speed on hardpack, fast flowing courses? Or perhaps you do your cyclocross mileage training on firm dirt roads. Given the specialty of cross tubular tires, you won't be surprised to find there is a tire just for you. Of course, the design of the Grifo XS 32 Tubular is actually a historical cross stalwart, ridden to many World Cup race wins. There was a time when the fastest tires and most skilled riders (and bike carriers) had distinct advantages, even in sloppy conditions. Now tire options are more plentiful- riders can have the best of all worlds, and when they need a speed freak of a hardpack tire, the Grifo XS is still called upon. The explosion of gravel racing's popularity has also sparked a surge of interest in this design, mostly by tubular riding cross and road racers looking to tackle the epic gravel events that fill the calendar these days.

The dominant pattern on the Grifo XS is a rough file tread that come to points. This tread isn't firm, but a cross race tread that will wear somewhat quickly, making it a true event tire for most riders. The grip and traction is great on pavement sections, and seemingly faster on dry, firm hardpack, where the tread keeps you stable and sure, even when some soft, loose material sits on top. The two knob combination of the shoulder- small and large with differing heights provide just enough edge grip for cornering speed without feeling soft or squishy. When you do get some soft sand or light mud, these are the knobs that help get you out. It is a simple pattern with a clear purpose- mild grip at maximum speed.

Challenge builds the Grifo XS 32 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 components react, responds and roll faster as a result of this combination- which is ideal in the Grifo XS.

Challenge calls for a pressure range from 30-90 psi. Rider weight and actual use will determine what works best for you, but we recommend starting at 60psi. Yes, right in the middle. We find that going much softer is best on rough hardpack when you need more overall footprint and grip. The tire is much faster when firm enough to really maximize the tread. Going softer may improve cornering, but won't really assist you much in sand or mud. Classic cyclocross riders carried and ran more, knowing that this approach was faster than riding. Of course these riders also excelled at mounting and dismounting, skills that not everyone can master. A tire such as the Grifo XS was used to great effect on tarmac and hardpack- at ridiculous speeds. If that suits your style for cross, we totally endorse the Grifo XS. If you are a gravel rider, or a cyclist who trains a lot on hardpack roads, you will likely favor pressures in the 60-80 psi range with a high level of confidence and ultimate safe speeds. Either way, have fun and ride fast!