These days the main difference between a road bike and a gravel race bike is the tires. Given increasingly similar geometry and clearance, the kind of rubber really determines the kind of ride. The new Continental Terra Competition gravel tire dares to blur even that line.
The latest entry in the German brand's Terra line bridges the gap between the Gravel World Champion Terra Speeds and the Road World Champion Grand Prix 5000s. These tires are designed for All-Road performance, with a very inclusive definition of 'all.'
Words by Ian McDonald & Images by Bertrand Mejia-Morin —Published February 26th, 2026
Setup
The Terra Competition features a low, smooth tread with a flying V pattern that provides extra traction via inset siping along the shoulders. The result is an even and round profile that rolls quickly and has predictable grip across its entire surface.
My 45c Trail/Grip test set mounted up easily to a pair of Vision Team 30 i23s and measured a respectable 44mm. I ran them at 39 psi rear and 37 psi front, opting for a middle ground pressure that would perform well on mixed terrain.
For me, the versatility is the magic of these tires. You could go for a lower or higher pressure depending on what ratio of pavement to dirt you expect on your ride. That same consideration can also be accommodated with either a Race/Rapid or a Trail/Grip version, which will follow your preference for light weight and speed, or durability and comfort.
The Ride
With the manufacturer's suggestion to 'blur the line between road and gravel' in mind, I endeavored to ride both as if I had road tires and gravel tires on. I was already sold on these tires on a conceptual level, but it didn't take long for my experience to back up that enthusiasm.
Going from paved to unpaved and back again as often as I could, (a Southeast Portland specialty) I marveled at how natural each transition felt. They were simply at home wherever I went. Even when our fortunate February dry spell returned to a more typical PNW winter they held up. I found the wet grip on all surfaces to be exceptional. I wouldn't recommend them for excessive mud, but they'll get you through most sloppy segments you may come across.
Final Thoughts
The Terra Competition is the roadie's gravel tire. (A 35c Race/Rapid actually weighs less than the same-sized GP5K AS TR.) It could easily turn an ENVE Fray or a Giant Defy into capable light off-roaders and open up new routes and shortcuts on your favorite road rides.
But it's also the graveler's road tire. For this review I replaced a set of Terra Speeds and found very similar off-road performance but a new world of fun on pavement. When carving up windy mountain roads, it was easy to forget I was technically riding 'gravel' tires. They make it way more enjoyable to link various gravel segments together, and on Belgian Waffle-style rides they should become a new favorite for multi-surface speed.
However you decide you want to ride, the Terra Competition is fast and versatile. Bulk up? Slim down? It can do both. And both is good.
