User submitted reviews
Review by c1charlie
I rode this tire, sized 42mm, during this year's Dirty Kanza 200. No flats.
Review by Christov10
This should have a three-and-a-half-star rating option for I don't hate it and halfway like it.
I bought these cheap tires one size too wide for no other reason than I clicked that size option without thinking about it. They were what I chose for my Craigslist 2007 Jamis Supernova with Frankenbike mountain-bike brakes and circa 2002 Dura-Ace components. It's my rain bike, off road bike, knockaround bike. This tire at 37 mm has plenty of clearance on the Jamis (a cyclocross bike with plenty of clearance, anyway).
As other reviewers have noted, this tire is heavy and it feels SLOW. I reckon I've lost about one to one and a half miles per hour in average speed from the cheapo-smooth tires that came with the bike. On road, my average with this tire is about 14 to 14.5 mph. Not great, but not so slow that I dread riding on road with it.
I weigh about 175 and inflate the tires to their full 70 psi rating. The tires hold the road predictably during cornering and on some potentially disastrous, speedy descents with curves and corners at bottom. Certainly, I attribute to the tires, rather than my cycling skill, the fact that at the bottom of one steep hill, I was able to keep on the road (although not in my lane) rather than launching into the creek branch the road crossed at that point. These tires grip well and corner well on wet, gravel & crud strewn pavement.
These tires are superb on rutted dirt and gravel alleyways, fire roads, degraded tarmac, and most of the total crap conditions to which I formerly tended to subject my mountain bike. They only failed me once when they were unable to grip the silt-bottom of a rain-flooded creek I tried to ride across in the woods.
I've ridden without fear of flats the entire time I've had these tires - since about October 2014?
This year, I may replace the Tour Rides with a set of cheap-version Clement Xplor USH to see if I can get more speed and thus more joy out of the Jamis, all around. But I'll probably also keep these tires in case they're needed. That said, they're such a good value at the price, if you hate them, you can always donate them to the local bike co-op or to that guy in your neighborhood with a hybrid bike.
I've also reviewed these tires on my blog - search for Continental Tour Ride and my user name.
Review by Anonymous
I needed a replacement set of bicycle tires and I found a good deal on a pair of Continental Ride Tour tires on biketiresdirect.com. I saved time and money with this convenient online purchase! Thanks!!!
Review by Will
I installed these tires on my Cannonade Quick hybrid several weeks ago. I ride on gravel to asphalt to gravel almost exclusively. I ride for the cardio mostly and my daily trips range from 6 to 12 miles, depending on the route I take. These tire have held up well so far, no leaks, flats, pr problems. I'm using the Slime tubes. The gravel can be troublesome, but no complaints. I don't use this bike on rocky trails with tree roots and various nasty obstacles. Just country roads. They're actually smooth riding, not as noisy or rough as mountain tires or as smooth as road tires, but they're okay. They seem to corner well, but I'm no expert rider. Appropriate tires for a hybrid bike.
Review by Phoenix biker
Used mainly for recreational rides on city streets
Review by uman
Ride Gravel chat trail, tire is smother ride than my previous tire
Review by jeaglesh
I do about 10 miles per day for exercise. Previous smooth road tires wore through to the canvas in less than 700 miles. I am hoping this tire will handle the weight, punctures better than the last. So far so good and smooth.
Review by c1charlie
I put these 800g babies on the front and back of my new gravel bike. I don't give a single thought to popping a tube. I might like them a little bit more if they could be lighter. I have thought I might like the next size down (I got 48mm) so I could shed a bit of weight but keep the durability and stability in gravel. I will probably get the next smaller set (cheap! at $17 per!) this winter and give them a go. Overall I am very satisfied.
Review by William h madden
Great choice to replace my worm out road tires and I love these because they have more traction so I can do rail trail and road..
Review by Anonymous
Use on my commuter with heavy panniers. Tires last a long time.
Review by BTCNJ Bill B
I bought this tires for a cycling trip on Martha's Vineyard with daily rides of 30-40 mi. The roads range from asphalt, cinder, gravel, rocks, and finally, sand. My normal treadless street tires are fine on normal dry roads but scary on everything else. These tires performed well on all surfaces and the extra traction was very comforting.
Nitpicking: You do feel more rolling resistance than the street tires and the ride is a little rougher.
I have an 85 mi. road ride coming up and I'm a bit conflicted. If there is a chance of rain I'll keep these tires on. If clear I'll change to the slicks. (I need another set of rims.) Overall, a good tire buy.
Review by 20belowbiker
Paved bike trails here in northern MN are a bit rough and seamed from frost heaves. Was looking for and found a bit heavier and more durable tire. The mining activity around our paved bike trail leaves rocks and stuff that would give me a flat at least 2x a week. I have not had a ruptured tube since I have had these.
Review by nitram
I have this mounted up on some A23 rims on a Ti Rove. They do very well on packed gravel, packed dirt, forest roads, and roll very well on pavement. I've been very happy with these tires and haven't experienced a failure or flat over several hundred miles of rough terrain. They do ok on trails but lack bite under some circumstances but admittedly I would be better served on a mtb in those situations.
Review by Anonymous
I bought these to make my carbon roadie more useful on hard pack trails & paths on old train track beds.
Review by Landlady54
I am a seasonal weekend biker and I have had two of these tires fail in the first 200 miles. First tire bubbled on the sidewall and the second tire is still on my bike but it is starting to crack in the sidewall. I weigh 150 lbs and carry no other items. I ride about 12 miles at a time. Really a beginner. I am going to buy a little more expensive tire next time.
Review by Corntooth
Smooth ride,great traction when conditions are wet
Review by Anonymous
I replaced the factory fat tires on a single speed mountain bike with these tires. I recently started working at home and ride my bike to the grocery store, indoor pool, library etc. At least once a day people ask me about my bike and tires.
Review by Anonymous
Great price and super treads.
Review by Anonymous
Great tire for commuting to work or riding on trails
Review by Anonymous
Great tire for commuting to work or riding on trails