Not a super technical guy, but I can tell you what I like about the tire.
Compared to Marathons, for example, this tire is really smooth. It is a softer rubber... maybe more supple is the word. Tires seem to be wearing great. I have at least 1500 miles on them with very little wear and tear. I ride all sorts of dirt, fire roads, bike paths, asphalt, concrete, Lake Hodges (San Diego) dirt and cactus. These tires GRIP really well. The supple rubber provides superior grip to my other gravel bike with the harder rubber of the Marathons. The supple rubber seems to really absorb the bumps better as well.
Third point is the price! That price for a set of 2 tires 700 x 42? Unmatched. I expected lower quality due to price, but I am very happy with the ride, the bump absorption, the amazing grip on ALL surfaces, the traction on the dirt and dirt hills, both up and down, I have a hard time finding a con.
Not a bad choice for riding in wet and muddy conditions where grip is very important. They weight more than a normal Gatorskin but they offer me the grip I need to go though 2 inches layers of mud and thats reassuring.
I am a 68 year old retiree and am not slender (200 pounds). My Strava is at 3300 miles since I got a new bike in late February 2018 mostly on Arizona canal paths. These tires are incredibly hard to mount. It's a worry that the tube is going to get pinched when mounting. I inflate to 70 psi. The rear tire feel squishy. I have gone through several tubes. At 100-200 miles of use, the rear tube starts leaking. It took a couple of tries to find a good fitting tube. Most were too large. The same tire on the front have been great. It has rolled 1,000 miles with no problems. I will replace the rear and keep this one for a front spare.
After regularly flatting on my previous tires, which included several CST, Bontrager and Kenda tires, I decided to buy a set of Conti's after hearing how some road cyclists swear by the Conti Gatorskin. At the time, I was rather skeptical given they were only [$] a piece. Now, after 500 miles, any doubts I had were gone. So far, these tires have covered 500 miles on MN roads and bike paths. My daily commute covers sections of road where there are numerous cracks and small rocks that made riding a flat-fest. I have yet to flat with the Tour Ride. The lower inflation pressure also gives a much better ride than any previous tire I used, and the aggressive tread pattern performs better than expected on dirt. I can't wait to see how they do in snow.
These tires are not the fastest, but they are not so slow that you think you're riding on a flat. For my commute and weekend trail rides, these tires are great. And at [$] a piece, a definite steal.
I recently put this tire on my gravel-bike- a freshly rebuilt 2008 KHS CX. I love these tires, they work on most surfaces short of mud, I get great mileage (2K), it mounts easy and I have fewer flats, what's not to like?. I often recommend this tire to friends & customers as a commutingtouring tire and I have not had a complaint yet. While it may not be the lightest or fastest tire available it is rock-solid reliable and a great bargain when you get them from BTD. Don't hesitate buy them you won't regret it.
Ive been running these for a while and couldn't be happier..
I did get one flat after a splintered piece of wood pierced through both the tire and a tube protector liner..
I first used these tires as they were the only thing that were tour suitable for 27 wheels. (I ride an older Cannondale ST). The tread profile is perfect for mixed surface touring. Sure there is some drag on tarmac, but it's a modest insurance once the roads get rough. I've ridden gravel and hard packed trails for days. I've never had a flat until the tire is showing serious signs of wear. I do find when loaded and at around 65psi get through a rear tire pretty quickly. Nevertheless, for value on 27 rims there is no equal. 700 wheels have plenty more choices, but I'd still have them on my shortlist. They are also my city commuter of choice.
Please note Value rating will be based on what your total UberLyft tab is or how many tire levers you break.
This review is limited to the 700x x 28mm tire. Also note that these 28s are skinny.
Leave German engineering to third world manufacturing and you're bound to get off-spec tolerances.
The tire performs well for the money (in terms of durability, puncture resistance, traction in varying road surface and weather conditions, etc), but after you've mounted it, or pulled it off the rim, you may find that all your levers are busted, or your hands, most particularly, your thumbs, are aching andor inoperable. If not, then your new tube has been punctured by the lever...
While mounting it, I MADE CERTAIN to add a tire liner to help prevent the above cenario, and it's been pretty good (WITH LINER) , only one flat in 18 months of riding an average of 3-4 times a week on this bike. However, this is not a good indication of the tire's puncture resistance. Most importantly, DO NOT GET A FLAT and make sure your Uber or Lyft account is active when riding! You will not be able to do the fix out in the field. I recently acquired a special tool (15 bucks and added weight) that helps quite a bit with mounting. However, I'll have to additionally, figure that into the overall cost.
Moral of the story If you already use Uber or Lyft when you flat, and subsequently take the wheel to the LBS for repair, go for it. If not, steer very clear...
Interestingly, I just swapped them for a pair of Travel Contact Reflex 37s (also thinner than 37) and they were easy as pie! Again, it's all about tolerances!
I am training for DK200 and wanted something that I could go high mileage on most gravel surfaces plus asphalt without feeling like I was leaving dollars on the road as the knobs wore away. I got these last week and have already put about 200 miles on them, including an 85 miler this weekend. On that longer ride I was on my gravel bike and my friends were on road bikes. We stuck primarily to asphalt, but being spring the roads are in pretty rough shape. I had no problems whatsoever flatwise, and was able to hang with the roadies pretty well - as they were weaving around the potholes I was either blasting through them or bunny hoping the really bad ones. They look great on my Giant TCX Pro 2 - I almost feel like Mad Max. As I approach the DK starting line I will think about a lighter option, but I know it will be difficult to let go of these dependable and inexpensive babies! Especially if the spring remains dry out there ...