Continental Contact Speed Tyres

475g each (as tested) 32-622 (700x32C) £29.95 (each)

The Continental Contact Speed Tryes are described a “a city slicker that will turn any bike into a racer.” The blurb declares that it is perfect for couriers meeting deadlines and fitness riders wanting a livelier ride. I’m neither of those, and I have enjoyed the ride. If you aren’t either don’t let that put you off.

Pros: Quick, lively, great handling.

Cons: I found them tough to mount, moderate puncture protection for an urban environment.

Specification

A 3/180 tpi for the carcass should allow quicker adaptation to the road surface. However, continental give their tpi measurements for the total of all the layers (some manufacturers quote the number of ends on the outer layer only). Even so, 3x60 =180 tpi. This should still make for a lively ride with a bit of city obduracy, especially on tarmac. The lightweight theme continues with the “skinwall” as opposed to a thicker “gumwall”. Basically, the side walls are thinner, keeping weight down and further improving handling. True, this reduces protection against those abrasive contacts that can be found in some urban situations, in particular. However, that is not the general foci of detritus intent on causing a puncture. In fairness, Continental point this out and suggest a little forethought is necessary to avoid scuffing on the kerb, for example. Even so, the rating in their “safety system: puncture protection with a system” is described a 4/7, so smack in the middle. Well, there’s a cost to going lightweight. Stodgy reliability or joy with increased risk; your choice.

continental contact speed tyres on gravel

The pressure range varies, as you’d expect, across the gamut of tyre sizes. Ours was 70-87 psi. At the other extreme, the 26x2 version go from 40-58 psi. The bead is rigid.

The puncture protection across the tread width consists of Kevlar reinforced nylon strips, of which there are two. Whilst these won’t rival the real heavy-weights of puncture protection, it seems like a decent compromise. Add to that the “skinwalls” which need to be kept up to the at least the minimum pressure to maintain strength. That should also help avoid pinch punctures. Yes, it is best to keep to the manufacturers pressure range in any case.

Reflective features are an option, check out the spec on the Continental website (link below). They are suitable for dynamos – although riders looking for a faster ride will probably be happiest sticking to rechargeable lights, anyway.

The tyres are e.assist ready. According to Continental, they could manage more than the e.assit legal limit of 25km/hour. If you are in to S-Pedelecs, you need to go for their E50 ready tyres.

The Contact Speed are available in a range of sizes across 20, 26, 27.5, and 28 inch tyres. Fitness Bromptonians and other Folderisti may feel peeved, but the most common aspects are covered. So, it really can give your MTB with pretty chunky tyres – up to 26x2.0 – a sportier persona.

The pimply tread is described as “micro-diamond” (the same as on their World Tour range) designed to give sprightliness on asphalt and grip on loose surfaces such as gravel and mud. Equally, Continental point out that asphalt is the forte.

Fit and mounting 3/5

New tyres can always feel a bit stiff when it comes to prising them over rims without the aid of tyre levers or causing distress to the neighbours. The Contact Speed were no exception. Seeing the flex in the sidewall as I pushed the bead into place lulled me into a false sense of ease. I couldn’t quite make it, at least on the Son rims of my tourer. These have a pretty deep profile. Even so, it only took a couple of lifts with the levers to enable me to complete the job. Sputnik rims were no problem: fingers and thumbs only, but significant grunting. In the meantime, I’d been careful not to snag the tubes when resorting to the tyre levers. Frankly, I used to think that Schwalbe’s old school touring Marathon Plus were stiff work, but these are definite contenders for the throne.

Still, we want a good tight fit, don’t we? The final click as the final section of bead settled into place was very satisfying. The fit feels spot on. At first, I’d thought the Contact Speed looked narrower than my regular Schwalbe The Green Marathon 700x32. Perhaps they are a tad, but the lack of a dense tread pattern may have contributed to the illusion. Clearances all round were, as one would expect, very much the same.

micro diamond pimple tread pattern bicycle trye

Handling and grip 4/5

Continental claim that these tyres will convert and bike into a racer. Sadly, they make no guarantee for the rider to follow suit. Bearing that you still have to pedal, there’s no doubt that the Contact Speed offer a lively ride. That was obvious form the start, in the best possible way. Steering immediately felt very responsive when negotiating parked cars and drivers who seemed to want to save a second on their journey. Likewise, wandering canines on the canal towpath (true, I’d slowed to a crawl for the latter – dogs are great, in my opinion). Then there were potholes to weave through. I felt secure and in complete control. This responsiveness also makes for a comfortable ride, even at the top end of the pressure range

In that context, these are designed primarily as ‘city slicker’ tyres with an emphasis on asphalt. They do feel les grippy on crushed lime and hard-pack mud. Even so, you’ll get by with some common sense. These days ‘urban’ cycling in the UK often consists of linking up different surfaces on road, cycle path, shared paths etc. The Contact Speed’s road speciality is just that, it does not exclude other surfaces, although it is a distinct emphasis – just as riding on road with knobblies works the other way around.

Mind you, the Contact Speed are not slick. In many ways the pimply tread resembles that common on gravel tyres. The pimples are just not a prominent. They do add a little extra grip when cornering off the asphalt, but not as strong as a more all-purpose tyre like the Schwalbe Marathon Tour or gravel-orientated tubeless Schwalbe G-One All Round.

Braking has felt similarly secure, especially on asphalt. Given their responsiveness, grip has felt reassuringly solid even over wet ironwork and setts.

With all that in mind, I decided to take the Contact Speed into the country on a long day ride. Eighty miles up in hot and humid English summer weather, I cannot say that I felt less tired than usual, but I had enjoyed a brisk, even frisky, ride. The tyres held the road well, despite the heat, and sudden adjustments of line on encountering the hay-harvester’s and their tractors speeding along narrow lanes were accomplished safely. As ever, gravel gives most road tyres cause for thought, but, on the whole, I’d say that the Contact Speed make a good companion for summer road trips.

Responsiveness also makes for a comfortable asphalt ride, even at the top end of the pressure range (where I tend to keep my tyres). I have dropped the pressure a few psi to see how things did on wetter or looser surfaces. I can’t say I noticed any particular difference in grip. I guess the tyres flexibility outdid my sensitivity!

In my view, the top end of the pressure range is where these belong, especially for a rider of my weight. I have not been tempted to drop much below the top end, even on those rainy days we have had in England this summer.

Puncture protection and durability 3.75/5

Remember that these are primarily “street” tyres, as opposed to mixed surface tyres. Having said that, you might get more glass and other stuff on urban paths, but there are few puncture menaces worse than hawthorn cuttings. As I’ve mentioned already, avoid scraping the sides and keep the pressure in range – preferably toward the top end, in my opinion – to avoid sidewall damage and pinch punctures.

In reality, I have not had a puncture in the four hundred miles I have ridden on these … and it has been hedge cutting season on some of our local lanes. Equally, the weather has generally been on the dry side, so there’s been less washed out gravel and other stuff on the road. Of course, that’s been the case with other tyres, too, but in my opinion the fact that Continental see these as a compromise between speed and hefty puncture protection should not give any concerns that the compromise has gone too far. Skinnier these may be, but they do not seem particularly vulnerable to sharp nasties.

Treat these well and they’ll serve you well. I have noticed no scuffing or marks so far. The pimply tread is not prone to holding small flints or anything like that, but as ever, inspection and removal of such-like is a good idea. Aimed at the road, a bit of mixed surface stuff has done no harm, either.

Value 4/5

Now, £29.95 is not a lot for a decent tyre. However, there are few things discounted as often on-line as tyres. I can compare like for like recommended retail prices, but a quick search into the ether may well find a bargain.

Thus, these provide a lively ride, with really good handling. Some city riders, especially riding for work prefer reliability over speed. I found the Oxford Mojo Stamina commuting tyre ideal for ensuring I got to that appointment on time, but I’d prefer the Contact Speed for frolics on the way home or at the weekend. Generally, I’ve found touring tyres ideal for city cycling, right back to Schwalbe’s good old Marathon Plus and its many variants. I have employed the Marathon Racer for both city work and weekend riding. Handling is very good, and although not as lively as the Contact Speed, it is superior if you regularly include mixed surfaces in your rides. They are more expensive, but, in my opinion, are very durable.

Summary

A very responsive tyre for anyone riding primarily on asphalt who want a little extra spice to their commute or day out on the road without going full-roadie. It may be a bit of a niche, but if this suits you, it is likely to suit you very, very well.

Verdict: 3.75/5 lively and responsive for the right rider.

Steve Dyster

https://www.continental-tires.com/products/b2c/bicycle/tires/contact-speed

PUBLISHED AUGUST 2025

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