Dutch Handmade Cyclocross Tires: A.DUGAST
Introducing A.DUGAST, a handmade tire brand born in the Netherlands.
Founded by André Dugast in 1972, the brand—known for its hand-stitched manufacturing process—is now produced in the Netherlands by Richard Nieuwhuis, who carries on both the company name and its technical expertise. Richard travels to bicycle race venues across the globe to listen to feedback from top riders and incorporate it into product development. While recently known for its partnership with VITTORIA, the brand boasts an overwhelming share of the cyclocross market, and the fact that top-class racers from around the world use these tires in World Cup events is a testament to the deep trust riders place in them.
A.DUGAST tires are not simply "good because they are handmade." It is their careful selection of materials and a manufacturing process that takes advantage of the "supple ride quality" inherent to natural materials that create their unique feel—a quality that has earned the support of many world champions.
A.DUGAST has finally released tubeless-ready clincher tires!
Those who follow the official website or their social media might already know, but they have finally released the clincher-type tires they have been developing for some time.
As the "TLR" label indicates, these are tubeless-ready, meaning the long-awaited tubeless-compatible clincher tires from A.DUGAST are now available.
The supple ride of all-handmade craftsmanship lives on
Of course, these clincher series tires are all handmade in the Netherlands, just like the tubular versions. It is also worth noting that they use 100% cotton casing made from the best materials available on the market.
Even if you don’t have a tubular wheel setup, being able to experience the supple ride quality of A.DUGAST is an incredibly attractive option for amateur racers.
Four patterns now in stock
Only the cyclocross lineup within the A.DUGAST range adopts the clincher system.
Among these, Circles now carries:
1: The all-rounder pattern Typhoon
2: The mud-condition specific Rhino
3: Strong on grass or sandy terrain Pipisquallo
4: For high-speed conditions like sand or pavement Pipistrello
The four patterns above are now in our lineup.
If you had to choose just one, the Typhoon is the most versatile for various course conditions. However, the strength of a clincher setup is that you don't need to have multiple wheelsets ready for different tire patterns, allowing you to actively change patterns depending on the course.
A.DUGAST Clincher Tire
Tire Size: 28″ / 700c
Tire Width: 33mm
Casing: Cotton
Tubeless: Tubeless Ready
Optimal Pressure: 1.3 – 5.5 bar
Weight: ave. 375g
Hand Made in Netherlands
Price: 17,600 JPY (tax incl.) / Price per tire
Notes on installation and storage for tubeless use
Due to their unique handmade nature and cotton casing, a little care is required when installing and handling these for tubeless use. Details are provided on the product page, but keep the following points in mind:
1: Use ammonia-free sealant
2: Do not inflate above 1 bar during installation
3: Wait at least 12 hours from setup before riding
4: Store in a cool, dry, and dark place
5: Keep tires slightly inflated even when not in use for a long time
Be particularly careful with air pressure when seating the bead. Instead of using high pressure like standard tubeless tires, the key is to use low pressure while gently working the bead into place with the palms of your hands as you distribute the sealant. If you try to seat the bead with high pressure, air may infiltrate the gaps in the tread, causing "bubbles"—lumps in the tread that make the tire function incorrectly—so please be aware of this.
A.DUGAST also provides a detailed video guide, so please be sure to check that as well.
Also featuring the new Monsoon Tread for tubular tires
For A.DUGAST's specialty, their tubular tires, we have also received models featuring the new Monsoon Tread.
This is an update to the tread previously known as "11 Storm." It improves upon the high-performance 11 Storm compound—which was designed to reduce rolling resistance, increase grip, and enhance puncture resistance and durability—by using an even softer compound, resulting in superior grip without increasing rolling resistance.
If you are racing with tubular tires, we highly recommend these models featuring the Monsoon Tread, which is the best they have ever created.
A.DUGAST Typhoon Tubular
Tire Size: 28″ / 700c
Tire Width: 33mm
Weight: ave. 380g (32mm)
Optimal Pressure: 1.8 – 3.5 bar / 26 – 51 PSI
Tread: Monsoon
Base Tape: Large (compatible with rim widths 23mm – 27.5mm)
Side Casing: Neoprene-coated
Hand Made in Netherlands
Price: 19,800 JPY (tax incl.) / Price per tire
With Nobeyama CX held last weekend, the cyclocross season is in full swing. While many opt for tubulars, for those who feel that might be a step too far, the news that A.DUGAST has added a clincher lineup is a welcome one. Personally, while these are definitely for racing, I also want to recommend these premium tires to those who enjoy high-speed gravel riding. Being a race tire, durability is not the primary focus, but the ride quality is exceptional. You get a superior ride that justifies the price, so please consider them.
