Here's how a €200 tyre set really feels like.
When it comes to tires and brakeless fixed-gear, the usual rule of thumb is: “The cheaper, the better…”
But again, my curiosity, and developed sens of aesthetic got the better of me and my wallet. So a few months back, when I came face to face with a set of Ultradynamico ROSÉ Race, for a “reasonable” price, I decided to try my luck and see what the hype was all about.
A bit of backstory first!
Ultradynamico is a passion project by Pat and Ron who consider themselves as “Tire Fetishists”. And after learning more about their achievements, and the line-up they created, I have now absolutely no doubts in that. What they created, is so specific, so niche, and yet it’s completely assumed and necessary in the weird realm of cross tires. Since the production is only in small batches, and buying tons of rubber is not an easy task for everyone, they have the good folks over at Panaracer to handle the production for them. Like Simworks or Fairweather, it’s just more doable and responsible to do it that way.
If you ever had the opportunity to ride on a pair of gravelking, you know that Panaracer means business when it comes to wrapping your wheels in some good feeling and nice looking rubber. So I was really looking forward to feel the result of two tire nerds, who arrived in the factory with very specific requests, and an exquisite style.
The tires I went with are the ROSÉ Race, in 700 by 42. It was a tight fit, especially for the rear on my Mash steel, but now you know that at the very end of the dropouts, it’s doable. Some rubbing may happen while putting the frame under load, especially with the drive side. Weirdly enough (or not, for all the mechanical engineers in the room), I later solved the problem by swapping for a bigger cog.
(Smaller gear ratio = less torque = less stress on your frame = less frame flex)
Here are some info you can find in their website about the ROSÉ Race:
-Handles both pavement and dirt like a skilled musician handles a Stradivarius
-Race compound for superior grip in all conditions
-Luxurious high TPI mystery casing sourced from a Moroccan street bazaar which may vary in hue
-Zero sidewall protection for pure speed.
-Exotic file undertread revealed after ~1000k of use (unlike you, this tire gets faster with age)
-Tubeless compatible
-Continuous center tread for optimal propulsion
-Designed to be inflated/deflated to tastefully low pressures: 30-40psi
-Aeronautically designed delta knob pattern for superior braking traction during gravel re-entry
You get it, these are built like race tires, to go fast, have fun, and give your local god a small offering before every ride to avoid any puncture.
So why getting them for a brakeless track bike? Skidding them would be a total waste, and for the price I could probably get 4 pairs of shitty e-bike 38c tires.
Well, first, just look at them. These are absolutely banging! The color of course, but also the thread pattern, attention to detail, it’s just not your regular all-black tire.
I am aware that not many frames out there are able to fit this big. But my Mash Lava is the test mule for a lot of stuff, but also the fun tracklocross bike I like to take with me when I have an outdoor trip planned. If there is a nearby beach, local trails or If I know there’s gonna be some snow at my destination, you can be sure it’ll be in the van with me. So, after a few try-outs and a couple of pictures, what do I have to say about the Ultradynamico ROSÉ Race?
Well, to start with, Ultradynamico did not fool around with weight. At 470g for a tire, they are way lighter than some of the other tires I tried in that size. I had that memory of big tires, not easy to get rolling on a track bike, sometimes even with a lighter ratio. So getting up to speed wasn’t an issue with these, even less with the 48×22 I tried later. But this is where my enjoyment came to a halt. Going circles in the nearest parking lot, it felt like driving a tractor, and not the good kind. The bike became awkward, still with a good handling, but somewhat sluggish. Not a great first experience if you ask me, but it was already late, so I decided to try them out in some actual trails the next day.
First thing first, I know understand that jumping from 25 to 43c, will make any bike feels “sluggish”. I took me a minute to get use to being a whole 2 centimeters more off the ground and to a now completely different handling bike. So that one is on me, should have given it more time.
But even so! I was still on my toes about the riding quality, while on my way to the local tracklocross testing ground. It makes sense that If you buy these, it’s to leave asphalt and pavement behind you. And If you mainly ride track bikes, I’m sorry, but these will feel downright disgraceful on any hard surfaces.
But then, the light shined upon me as I started rolling in to some real trails. Sandy single tracks felt like they were back on easy mode, I was taking with ease the occasional rocks and roots trying to trip me over, and don’t get me started on how great was my experience in the snow.
Tracklocross in the gnarliest condition, almost became a piece of cake, where even the cake will cut itself up. And I wasn’t expecting that much! I am not and expert in tire thread pattern, but even on “not-so-low” pressure (especially in the snow), they felt precise, and I had so much confidence getting in some real corners without thinking twice about it. They gripped every crumb of ground, and all I had to do is pedal and look where I wanted to go.
You could easily tell me that any tire this size would be grippy and make you feel safe while riding into soft terrain. But short answer is: No. Gravelkings and the few other brands I tried, didn’t make me feel like I was riding on a rocket powered sofa, and that, was definitely a first for me.
So! Should you get a pair for yourself? Well it’s not that easy… If you love the aesthetic and have the financial means to, then why not. But your Tracklocross bike might become a bit like your downhill bike.
Load it in the car, hit the trails, get all the fun, load it back in the car and then go home.
That logic also applies to the price; Skidding on sand, snow, grass, or dirt is not going to do much damage, and for 90 euros a tire, you probably want them to last you more than a month or two. At least, this is how I see it.
I know some people do some multiday trips and very long distances on them, but it’s just not for me. I see them more as a fun tire and novelty item, than anything serious.
But cool kids need cool tires, so for now, these are staying.
🎞: Expired Fuji Xtra 800
📷: Nikon F100
PS: Excuse the poor scan quality, I’m trying new stuff…
