My gravel bike is shod with these Conti's. Which gives me durability, longevity and added nighttime visibility on both tarmac and local gravel roads. After six decades of riding like the wind, I'm contented with riding slower these days, but these skins will permit greater speed with the smooth center profile. We do have a substantial amount of sugar sand here in SWFL, so I wish I chose the 47 width. Though the perimeter knobbies provide sufficient bite in gravel and hard pack. While my Marin Headlands 2 allows for tubeless, I have not converted so I appreciate the Kevlar reinforcement for added puncture resistance. I rarely flat once a year, but decided I wanted the heft. I'm very pleased with this model tire and will most likely purchase again. Very grateful for biketiresdirect.com, their rewards program, great customer service, product availability and competitive pricing.
Great tires so far, I've only had them for a couple months but I'm happy. It's a noticeably softer ride than my old 32c Gator Hardshells, but it doesn't feel much slower. So they perform a lot better on Brooklyn streets full of potholes, which was my main reason for getting a bigger tire. I'll have to see how they do on ice/snow, my plan is to lower the pressure if I ride on icy stuff so that the knobby sides can get more traction.
Just ran them for two 15 mile runs and they seem a little faster than my old Kenda k193 Kwests. But then again they are brand new...so ask me again next year. Ran those old 622-35 700c tires for 3,300 miles at 70-75psi and was pleasantly surprised that they carried my 200 pounds for so long before the rear tire tread started to separate.
Hope these Contact Travel tires on the same Trek Verve2 at 60-65psi provide the same comfortable ride and longevity.
Will these beat my old Kendas that cost less than $14 apiece 4 years ago?
Only time will tell.
These tires are great. Ive ridden them on the road and through the woods. No issues. They roll really good for a wider tire. I was running a 37c , I bought the 50c to replace my tire for a wider one. This tire does run a little thinner, about 2-3 mm. It doesnt bother me, its still a great tire. Highly recommended. This is the second pair of Continental Tires Ive owned.
The slick center and knobby edges make for two tires in one. Performs flawlessly on the road and on hard pack gravel rail beds. Very happy with them. They do run much thinner than the stated sizes. But I knew that going in.
Just got them today. They look awesome. I'll be swapping them on shortly. Can't wait to get some miles on them. BTD & Continental rock! I've bought numerous sets of tirestubes and a couple sets of wheels from them. Always happy.
I've been using Continental Contact Travels in size 37c (1st set) and 42c (2nd set) on my Soma Saga touring frame with canti rim brakes for nearly 9 years!
Lots of broken glass, stray pieces of road cacti, goathead thorns and rugged broken roads with mixed gravel in southern Arizona, and I've never experienced a flat out on the open road! I now know why these tires have a cult-like following. Will buy more of these from BTD best prices and service!