Now that cyclocross season is in full swing, Challenge Tire feels its time to get nostalgic. The Italian tire manufacturer is resurrecting the Fango tread. This limited edition offering will see only 100 tires created with the Fango tread in never-before-seen orange sidewalls. So, if youve been waiting patiently for the Fango to return from the dead (it is Halloween, after all). Scrape that old glue off your wheels, stretch your hands, and prepare for some tubular Fango action.(Photos: Jordan Villella/BikeRumor.com)What is the Challenge Fango?For those who are newer to cyclocross or dont follow tire trends as closely as this nerd, let me catch you up. The Challenge Fango is a unique tire that predates the most popular Challenge treads. It launched in 2008 and was supposed to be a direct competitor to the famous Dugast Rhino, which ruled the mud seas then. After its unveiling, the Fango was met with excitement or disdain.The tread is highly designed, with some touches that still make me scratch my head. But, you gotta remember, this was three years before the Limus, Baby Limus, and others. The Challenge catalog was limited, and the Fango was the mud tire.(Adam Myerson racing the Challenge Fango at Gloucester in Oct, 2008. Photo: Myerson)Fond Fango MemoriesNonetheless, many riders, like longtime cyclocross pro and owner of Cycle-Smart Adam Myerson, have fond memories of the Challenge Fango.When the Fango first came out, it was designed as a mud tire, before the Limus existed, and all we had were Grifos. But it turned out to be an amazing grass tire when you needed a little extra pedaling and braking traction going straight and more aggressive side knobs for leaning over in soft, but not necessarily muddy, turns. It was the perfect tire for New England-style tracks with a typical mix of fields and woods.Adam MyersonChallenge Fango TreadThe Fango tread is unique, and there are certain instances in which the tire excels. What is Its most defining feature? That has to be Fango scoop in the center tread 100%.In the center of the Fango tread, there is a long diamond shape with a scoop. The scoop has a rounded edge, unlike the flat, sharp edges we see on the Baby Limus and others. This scoop sheds mud but doesnt dig into it for gripso its an anomaly.Where Does the Fango Excel?Where the Fango pulls its weight is the sharp mid-cornering knobs. The outer edges are like the Grifo center tread but more of a T shape and vertical. A diamond staggered between the scoop for good and some mud-shedding capability.As far as course application for the Fango, I echo the Myerson quote above. Its a heavy grass tire. But like all tires, every tread isnt for everyone. I like the Baby Limus for many courses, while others might pick the Grifo or even a Dune.That said, tire choice can come down to personal preference and what gives you the most confidence on the course. A perfect course for the Fango would be a grass-heavy crit-style track with lots of high-speed corners.Challenge Fango Limited Edition DetailsConditions: Wet/GrassTire Type: Tubular OnlyCasing: Challenge Pro Edition 300 TPIColor: Limited Edition OrangeWeight: 445gPrice: $100Availability: NowRide Impressions: Challenge Fango Limited Edition 33mmWhen the Fango came across my desk, Challenge hit me with a wave of nostalgia. I remember when this tire came out and I was very excited about it. I was running clinchers with latex tubes and more baby powder in the tire than is customaryit was 2008, and I needed all the help I could find.The Fango was my ticket to finally becoming a mudderRemember WhenI havent looked at the Fango Tread in a while, and seeing it now, I understand why the tire has some dedicated followers. Its a sharp tire with many points and edges (excluding the center scoop). The sharp edges are lone and have no connecting knobs or bridging to others (like the Limus), so they flex independently and offer some suppleness and conforming in the tread.The Challenge Pro Edition casing has a limited edition orange sidewall. Challenge tires usually arrive in Red (Team Edition) Tan (Poly casing) or older Tan/White sidewalls that are years past Team Edition S (soft) tires. The orange (or Pumpkin Spice, as Ive been calling it) colored side wall sticks out and looks fantastic amongst the turning leaves. It also stands out on the bike, and it is guaranteed to get you some What tires are you running? conversation starters at the course pre-ride.My initial thought about the tread is tire wear and how quickly those sharp knobs will dull on the pavement, but like we said this is a grass/mud tire. It shouldnt be hitting the tarmac for long sections and only for racing. The second chevron (after the scooped one) is where the digging happens and where the grip and braking traction come from. Its also a hollow knob and looks like a circumflex (caret) symbol with flexible lines that will move while under pedaling or braking force.On the Cyclocross CourseI mounted the Fango Limited Edition to a set of Bontrager RSL alloy wheels (which they arent making anymore?). They glued up nicely, and I didnt do much tire truing after the fact.On the course (a grass-heavy chosen track), the Fangos were great. I wasnt hitting every corner at race speed, but I could see that the tire had a place, and that place was wet (and early morning dew) grass. When pushing the speed, the Fango slides slightly and hooks up in very damp corners. In dry grass and damp dirt corners, the Fango grips and has enough purchase on the ground that you can sprint out of the turns with no slipping repercussions. On wide open, soggy, thick grass, there is no slippage or burning out; its all grip. The Fango is slightly squirmy while cornering on the pavement, but nothing over what most mud tires feel like.I didnt have a chance to ride them in full-on natural mud (weve only had these for a hot second), but there is a quick point where they grip and then become slicks. Depending on the mud style (slick over hard, peanut butter, or mud soup), the Fango would perform the best in slick over hard.Would you Race the Fango?Yes, but. For cyclocross, part of the fun (and annoyance) is the equipment and piles of wheels and tires. Mounting and allocating a wheelset only for the Fango tread would be tough. If I had endless wheels, rotors, and cassettes all the same, ready to rock like a professional Belgian cycling outfit yes, 100%. I would be happy to have them in my tire quiver. But thats not the case. I know my treads and what I like, and the Grifo and Baby Limus play better with my mountain bike style of bike driving and steering.That said, many riders feel the Fango is THE tread for them. Thats why there are so many tire options and combos.To those riders (and I know many), I say, Get them while you can! as this is a limited edition run and might be the last time you see the Fango.Challengetires.comThe post Exclusive: Challenge Issues 100 Limited Edition Fango Tires With Orange Sidewall appeared first on Bikerumor.