Specification

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There are three sizes- 700x 35c, 700x40 and 700x45,catering for most riders and gravel applications- I’m including adventure touring, bike-packing and cyclo cross builds within this loose definition. Being picky, a 650b option is perhaps a missed opportunity. Tubeless Ready is standard these days, but if you shy away from goo, TPU and butyl tubes work just fine. Both the race and trail versions employ a triple-layer casing, which translates to 330TPI. Think 110tpi if you’re coming from a single ply reference point.

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Both use Continental’s Black Chilli compound feature puncture repelling breaker and sidewall protection. The race is narrower and there’s less overlap, compared with the trail, prioritising speed and rolling resistance. The Trail features more overlap, one ply construction and thicker materials, prioritising strength and puncture resistance. Specification that also whispers weekend and lightweight touring. The chevron tread pattern and pressure range (34-72psi) also promise a nice balance of speed, tuneable grip and compliance.

 

That said; I’d only go down to 34psi when setup as tubeless. 479g each for the 700x40 is reassuringly svelte alongside a gravel knobbly of comparable dimensions. For example, 40mm Maxxis Rambler Maxxis Rambler Tubeless Ready Tyres | cycling-not-racing tip the scales at 524g, Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M Tyre | cycling-not-racing lighter still, at 514g.

 

Test Bike & Contexts

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Denise, my gravel bike based around a fillet brazed, Reynolds 631 tubeset GRAVEL BIKE ON A BUDGET: PART ONE . I can go to 45mm and still have breathing space but 40mm is more comfortable. Ours arrived in a very changeable and often very chill March, which was a useful barometer. I’ve run ours with butyl and TPU tubes and on Ryde Sputnik and Snyper rims.  

 

The Terra readily slipped aboard both, although in common with a lot of packet fresh folding beads, a tyre lever was required to scoop and seat the remaining 10% home. I left the Maxxis Rambler serving as a rear wheel control for the first 50 road miles.

 

I’ve since done 600 mixed terrain miles with the Tera Trail Competition-laden, across tarmac, unmade gravel roads, byways and forest trails-waterlogged and bone dry. I’ve run the tyres at their maximum and experimented with time and miles.  

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During this time, the bike’s Hollowtech II axle has been treated to both a stodgy lithium-based grease and Peaty’s Speed Grease, the chain exclusively wax based formulas, but at two ends of the price spectrum. Specifically, Weldtite Wax Weldtite Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing and Muc-Off Dark Energy Chain Wax Muc-Off Dark Energy Chain Wax | cycling-not-racing.  Paired with the Continental Terra, the latter delivered further small gains in average speed 17.5-18mph over 25 miles.   

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Ride quality & Handling 4/5

 

Coming from a traditional gravel tyre, I was immediately struck by how quickly the Terra accelerated and how little rolling resistance was apparent across rural lanes-even with bog standard grease and waxed chains I could cruise at 17.5mph- 1.25mph quicker than shod with the relatively speedy Maxxis Rambler. Sticking solely to asphalt for the first 35-mile outing, legs felt less weary and the tyres continuously willed me to go that little bit quicker.

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At their maximum 72psi, ride quality was firm but stopped short of feeling harsh and there was no skittishness when cornering hard (same through town and flicking round the usual obstacle course of holes, cones, glass and similar hazards). Having experimented with the pressures in various contexts, I’ve found 58 psi the sweet spot default for general riding.

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Again, this was particularly palpable on laden day rides blending country lanes, byways and dirt roads. The Terra inspire confidence on wet asphalt, biting deep and allowing me to concentrate on maintaining a decent tempo.  No issues pushing them to 30mph along 1in7 descents. TPU tubes enhanced this experience, especially when accelerating or climbing, but I wasn’t disappointed with bog standard butyl either.

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 The first rains following a dry spell can turn roads particularly slippery. The Terra Competition Trail offered excellent feedback allowing me to push on, or temper my enthusiasm as required. No loss of traction, or heart in mouth moments- save perhaps for the occasional wayward deer.

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True to Continental’s claims, these characteristics were mirrored off road, at least in dry to damp conditions. Smooth passage across tree roots and similar unexpected lumps, the compound and tread pattern also offered predictable traction. Same story with loose, silty earth.

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Along damp byways and forest sections, modest mud and horse dung was quickly dismissed by the tread. While it’s true that knobblies will become slicks when exposed to extended gloop, the Terra aren’t meant for this. Sure, I’ve caught the odd short section and with caution, they’ve provided reasonable feedback, getting us safely though to firmer ground. However, longer sections led to them becoming overwhelmed.

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I’ve always remained in control, thanks in part to the bike’s big, buxom drops.  Dropping the pressure to 40psi certainly helped in these contexts. In fairness, the Terra aren’t alone in this respect-Soma Fabrications Shikoro TESTED: SOMA FABRICATIONS SHIKORO TYRE being another tyre that performs very sweetly along loose, dirt roads and asphalt, but quickly becomes overwhelmed when faced with soft mud. Horses for courses- stick to a mixed conditions, or wet specific gravel tyre through a wet, slippery British November.

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Puncture Resistance/Durability 4/5

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The tread pattern hasn’t proved prone to trapping stones and other sharps and seems to use water to flush them out.  I’ve deliberately resisted the urge to clean or brush the casings week to week. I’ve ridden through shards of glass and caught the odd hedge clipping but to date, no flats.  No nicks, cuts, or superficial damage to the casings either.

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Value 3.5/5

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£59.99 is competitive for tubeless-ready gravel rubber, and it's worth saying that there has been a steady specialisation within the wider gravel genre.  Panaracer Gravel King SK has long been a favourite, reckoned to excel in dry conditions. A very broad range of sizes (700x 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 & 53mm, 650b x 43, 48 & 53mm) is another draw. Hutchinson Caracal (£54.95) are arguably a closer rival, albeit one with an emphasis upon racing. However, while they’ll deliver in similar environments, the Caracal have similar limitations. More limited sizes too (700x40, or 70x45).   Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready tyre (£50) is another fast-rolling example, supposedly swift on asphalt and capable enough in dry dirt. Tipping the scales at 456g for a 700x42mm, it's very svelte, but the single size option may alienate some.

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Summary  

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There is always some degree of compromise with dual-purpose anything, tyres especially. However, Continental are very specific about the Terra Trail Competition’s properties, and in my view, they’ve nailed the design brief handsomely. Their speed, rolling resistance and compliance have all impressed me to the point where they’ve become my defaults for general, fair-weather riding. They’re a great option if you want to keep pace with friends, or clubmates on road- biased touring and training bikes and at the other extreme, I’d happily use them for weekend, or lightweight touring too.

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Michael Stenning 

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Verdict: 3.75/5  Fast, capable gravel tyres for tarmac and dry-ish trails

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www.continental-tires.com/bicycle

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