These are fantastic tires for Cat 1 or Cat 2 gravel (smooth gravel roads, up to rough gravel roads). Using the Silca tire pressure calculator, I will use the lower tire pressure recommendations for gravel roads, where the tires are smooth and grippy. If I am riding primarily on pavement, I adjust the tire pressure up 4-5 pounds, and these tires behave like great road tires - fast and low rolling resistance. They are very flexible - good on multiple surfaces - and the best tires I have used for a gravel bike. They are excellent running tubeless as well. I have put them on several bikes and will buy them as replacements when the originals wear out.
I just received a set of the 45 width Strada Bianca Pro. Saying they were hard to mount is a insult to the phase "hard to mount" It took me two hours to mount the set. furthermore, sealing as tubeless is a slow pain in the ass. according to AI I should have used Orange Seal rather than the Peatys I used, and after over an hour there is still viable seepage at the bead, but it's getting better. I hope by tomorrow that I will be able to test ride them because the feel is really nice. I previously had tried the 32 mm width they were much easier to mount but the 45 are really flat and wide, and even with Challenge's own video it is difficult. But for sure they are easy to seat if you ever get them on the rims.
I will follow up with a ride assessment after I am able to do a ride on them
I've been using Vittoria tires on my MTB for the past 5yrs and recently trying them on my Road bike and so far like them a lot as well... haven't been too lucky with Continental GP5k STR tires (Punctures and torn side wall)....
I recently built a Time Bike (~500mi) and opted for the retro wall color from Vittoria went on relatively easy on ENVE SES4.5 AR wheels...rides like dream but time will tell the tire life...
One knock is that you would need a bit more sealant and almost impossible to keep that tan color clean...gets dirty and stays dirty
The five-pack of Dynaplug repair plugs seem pricey, but are certainly cheaper AND much faster than replacing an inner tube. After I ran over a small piece of steel that actually went completely inside my tire and rattled around when I was stopped, one plug was not quite big enough to stop air from leaking. So, I inserted a second one, pumped the tire up to pressure, and rode another 65 miles on it. Since the tire already had 4500 miles on it, I replaced the tire. The Dynaplugs give me great confidence in riding tubeless. The tire was a Conti 5000 S TR 32mm using 58 psi on the rear.
