Continental Top Contact

I finally put a new set on my 'cross bicycle, not really because the tires were worn out, but I just figured that after 4,000 problem-free miles -- on all kinds of terrain -- they deserved a break. They've been out in sub-zero weather, they've been where no self-respecting tire should go, and they've held up without a single gash or leak. When it's nasty outside, it's nice to not have to worry about your tires.

I've put over 15,000 commutingtouring miles on Conti Top Touring and Contact tires and they have been great. I got the Top Contact tires and have about 600 miles on them. No flats, but they do not corner nearly as well as the other tires. The larger shoulder lugs seem to be the problem. I have almost slid out the front tire several times in conditions that the other tires would have handled just fine. The bigger side lugs may help in soft terrain, but are not good on hard surfaces. I'm going back to the plain Contact tires.

I bought them as a replacement for my old Avocet Inverted Cross tires. The 70037 were ok on my wife's bike but the 26" ones for mine were horribly out of round, and no matter how much I tried, I could not get them to seat properly on 2 sets of wheels. No matter what I did including using bead lubethey were always a little out of round and there was always a thump as they rolled at anything over 10 mph.

I have used these tires 700X32 for three years. This is the first time that I can put 7000 miles on a tire without having a puncture. They are just amazing! I commute 25 miles every day to work, rain or shine, day or night. These tires have gone through a lot of junk without any problem. I have tried several brands and a couple of Conti models, but the Top Contact are still unequaled.