Here is an update to my previous (1/6/2026) review. Finally after two days of seeping leakage I got these 700 x 45 size to seal. a smart AI search tells me I would have gotten a better result id I had used Orange Seal rather than Peatys sealant.
Finally got to do a decent ride on these. ride is very smooth almost sublime on the road, fabulous on hard gravel and damned good on bark paths. Rolling resistance feels very low as promised. Steering is so-so especially on wet roads, but that may be my bike. They are on a Canyon Grizl Al and it feels like the front steering is floppy so that may be a geometry issue. Also, the inflation max is 40 PSI, and I am a 240-pound rider, so they may be a bit soft for a guy of my size.
Dry road is great. All in all its a pretty darned sweet tire, but I would probably drop to a 40 mm if I had to buy again. I do ride 90% road; on gravel these are simply the best.
I can't wait to get in some longer miles on dry roads as these break in.
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
