Now that cyclocross season is in full swing, Problem Tire feels it’s time to get nostalgic. The Italian tire producer is resurrecting the Fango tread. This restricted version providing will see solely 100 tires created with the Fango tread in never-before-seen orange sidewalls. So, in case you’ve been ready patiently for the Fango to return from the useless (it’s Halloween, in any case). Scrape that previous glue off your wheels, stretch your palms, and put together for some tubular Fango motion.
What’s the Problem Fango?
For many who are newer to cyclocross or don’t comply with tire traits as intently as this nerd, let me catch you up. The Problem Fango is a singular tire that predates the most well-liked Problem treads. It launched in 2008 and was presupposed to be a direct competitor to the well-known Dugast Rhino, which dominated the mud seas then. After its unveiling, the Fango was met with pleasure or disdain.
The tread is very designed, with some touches that also make me scratch my head. However, you gotta keep in mind, this was three years earlier than the Limus, Child Limus, and others. The Problem catalog was restricted, and the Fango was the mud tire.
Fond Fango Reminiscences
Nonetheless, many riders, like longtime cyclocross professional and proprietor of Cycle-Good Adam Myerson, have fond recollections of the Problem Fango.
“When the Fango first got here out, it was designed as a mud tire, earlier than the Limus existed, and all we had had been Grifos. However it turned out to be an incredible grass tire if you wanted slightly further pedaling and braking traction going straight and extra aggressive aspect knobs for leaning over in mushy, however not essentially muddy, turns. It was the proper tire for New England-style tracks with a typical mixture of fields and woods.”
Adam Myerson
Problem Fango Tread
The Fango tread is exclusive, and there are specific cases wherein the tire excels. What’s Its most defining characteristic? That needs to be Fango “scoop” within the heart tread — 100%.
Within the heart of the Fango tread, there’s a lengthy diamond form with a scoop. The inside track has a rounded edge, in contrast to the flat, sharp edges we see on the Child Limus and others. This scoop sheds mud however doesn’t dig into it for grip…so it’s an anomaly.
The place Does the Fango Excel?
The place the Fango pulls its weight is the sharp mid-cornering knobs. The outer edges are just like the Grifo heart tread however extra of a “T” form and vertical. A diamond staggered between the inside track for good and a few mud-shedding functionality.
So far as course utility for the Fango, I echo the Myerson quote above. It’s a heavy grass tire. However like all tires, each tread isn’t for everybody. I just like the Child Limus for a lot of programs, whereas others may choose the Grifo or perhaps a Dune.
That mentioned, tire alternative can come down to non-public choice and what provides you probably the most confidence on the course. An ideal course for the Fango could be a grass-heavy crit-style monitor with a lot of high-speed corners.
Problem Fango Restricted Version Particulars
- Circumstances: Moist/Grass
- Tire Kind: Tubular Solely
- Casing: Problem Professional Version 300 TPI
- Shade: Restricted Version Orange
- Weight: 445g
- Value: $100
- Availability: Now
Experience Impressions: Problem Fango Restricted Version 33mm
When the Fango got here throughout my desk, Problem hit me with a wave of nostalgia. I keep in mind when this tire got here out and I used to be very enthusiastic about it. I used to be working clinchers with latex tubes and extra child powder within the tire than is customary…it was 2008, and I wanted all the assistance I may discover. The Fango was my ticket to lastly changing into a mudder…
Bear in mind When…
I haven’t seemed on the Fango Tread shortly, and seeing it now, I perceive why the tire has some devoted followers. It’s a pointy tire with many factors and edges (excluding the middle scoop). The sharp edges are lone and don’t have any connecting knobs or bridging to others (just like the Limus), in order that they flex independently and supply some suppleness and conforming within the tread.
The Problem Professional Version casing has a restricted version orange sidewall. Problem tires normally arrive in Purple (Crew Version) Tan (Poly casing) or older Tan/White sidewalls which might be years previous Crew Version “S” (mushy) tires. The orange (or Pumpkin Spice, as I’ve been calling it) coloured aspect wall stands out and appears unbelievable amongst the turning leaves. It additionally stands out on the bike, and it’s assured to get you some “What tires are you working?” dialog starters on the course pre-ride.
My preliminary thought concerning the tread is tire put on and the way shortly these sharp knobs will boring on the pavement, however like we mentioned – this can be a grass/mud tire. It shouldn’t be hitting the tarmac for lengthy sections and just for racing.
The second chevron (after the scooped one) is the place the digging occurs and the place the grip and braking traction come from. It’s additionally a hole knob and appears like a circumflex (caret) image with versatile strains that may transfer whereas underneath pedaling or braking pressure.
On the Cyclocross Course
I mounted the Fango Restricted Version to a set of Bontrager RSL alloy wheels (which they aren’t making anymore?). They glued up properly, and I didn’t do a lot tire truing after the very fact.
On the course (a grass-heavy chosen monitor), the Fangos had been nice. I wasn’t hitting each nook at race pace, however I may see that the tire had a spot, and that place was moist (and early morning dew) grass. When pushing the pace, the Fango slides barely and hooks up in very damp corners. In dry grass and damp grime corners, the Fango grips and has sufficient buy on the bottom which you can dash out of the turns with no slipping repercussions.
On large open, soggy, thick grass, there isn’t a slippage or burning out; it’s all grip. The Fango is barely squirmy whereas cornering on the pavement, however nothing over what most mud tires really feel like.
I didn’t have an opportunity to trip them in full-on pure mud (we’ve solely had these for a scorching second), however there’s a fast level the place they grip after which turn out to be slicks. Relying on the mud fashion (slick over arduous, peanut butter, or mud soup), the Fango would carry out one of the best in slick over arduous.
Would you Race the Fango?
Sure, however. For cyclocross, a part of the enjoyable (and annoyance) is the gear and piles of wheels and tires. Mounting and allocating a wheelset just for the Fango tread could be robust. If I had infinite wheels, rotors, and cassettes all the identical, able to rock like knowledgeable Belgian biking outfit – sure, 100%. I’d be completely satisfied to have them in my tire quiver. However that’s not the case. I do know my treads and what I like, and the Grifo and Child Limus play higher with my mountain bike fashion of motorcycle driving and steering.
That mentioned, many riders really feel the Fango is THE tread for them. That’s why there are such a lot of tire choices and combos.
To these riders (and I do know many), I say, “Get them when you can!” as this can be a restricted version run and could be the final time you see the Fango.
