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, when you’ve been ready patiently for the Fango to return from the lifeless (it’s Halloween, in spite of everything). Scrape that previous glue off your wheels, stretch your arms, 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 developments as intently as this nerd, let me catch you up. The Problem Fango is a novel tire that predates the preferred Problem treads. It launched in 2008 and was imagined 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 Recollections
Nonetheless, many riders, like longtime cyclocross professional and proprietor of Cycle-Sensible 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. But it surely turned out to be an incredible grass tire if you wanted a bit additional pedaling and braking traction going straight and extra aggressive facet knobs for leaning over in comfortable, 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 particular cases during which the tire excels. What’s Its most defining function? That must 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 software 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 would possibly choose the Grifo or perhaps a Dune.
That stated, tire alternative can come down to non-public desire and what offers you probably the most confidence on the course. An ideal course for the Fango can be a grass-heavy crit-style monitor with numerous high-speed corners.
Problem Fango Restricted Version Particulars
- Circumstances: Moist/Grass
- Tire Sort: Tubular Solely
- Casing: Problem Professional Version 300 TPI
- Shade: Restricted Version Orange
- Weight: 445g
- Value: $100
- Availability: Now
Trip 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 might discover. The Fango was my ticket to lastly changing into a mudder…
Keep in mind When…
I haven’t appeared 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 haven’t any connecting knobs or bridging to others (just like the Limus), in order that they flex independently and provide 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” (comfortable) tires. The orange (or Pumpkin Spice, as I’ve been calling it) coloured facet wall stands proud and appears improbable 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 rapidly these sharp knobs will boring on the pavement, however like we stated – it is 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 traces that can transfer whereas beneath 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 velocity, however I might see that the tire had a spot, and that place was moist (and early morning dew) grass. When pushing the velocity, 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 that you would be able to dash out of the turns with no slipping repercussions.
On extensive open, soggy, thick grass, there is no such thing as 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 experience 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 into slicks. Relying on the mud type (slick over laborious, peanut butter, or mud soup), the Fango would carry out the very best in slick over laborious.
Would you Race the Fango?
Sure, however. For cyclocross, a part of the enjoyable (and annoyance) is the tools and piles of wheels and tires. Mounting and allocating a wheelset just for the Fango tread can be powerful. If I had infinite wheels, rotors, and cassettes all the identical, able to rock like an expert Belgian biking outfit – sure, 100%. I might be completely happy 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 type of motorbike driving and steering.
That stated, 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 whilst you can!” as it is a restricted version run and could be the final time you see the Fango.
