Bicycle Mechanics - Continental Top Touring 2000 tires

Hi do any of you have experience with the Continental Top Touring 2000 tires?

They're excellent. I selected them as original equipment on my Airborne, to go with my Mavic/Wheelsmith/Ultegra touring wheels, and the combo has been outstanding. I use the 700x32c size.

On my first set, I got 4500 flat-free miles from the rear (I'm big, I commute into the city with a fair load on the back, and I wear out rear tires faster than I'd like) and probably could have gotten more (it wasn't worn to the fabric). I moved the front one to the rear and will probably get another 3000 miles from it.

Since this is a commuter that I often ride at night, I was pleased that Airborne sent the version of the TT2K that has the reflective "reflex" sidewalls, and so I sprang for the extra $4 each to get them on the replacements. Reflective sidewalls are a great additional defense against turning cars at night, and they don't unbalance your wheels or stress your spokes.

Expensive, though. I was unable to find a local source of the Reflex version, and at the only online source I was able to find (www.bicycletires.com) that actually stocked them I ended up paying almost $40 each including shipping.

RichC

I rode a pair on my commuter 'til the sidewalls (standard, not reflective) rotted... maybe 3 years. Kind of high rolling resistance, but they had a lively, bouncy feel that was fun to ride. Plenty of tread, good traction even on wet roads, don't think I ever had a flat. I'd recommend 'em.

They are slow, but work.

I have a set, barely used, hanging in the garage. Want them? :D

I now use Specialized ARmadillos exclusively. These TT 2000's are about 3 years old, but only used about 2 weeks (I said they are slow). But, they are in excellent condition. Absolutely nothing like rot, they look brand new.

Send them to you (or anyone, for that matter) for the shipping cost. I hate to see them hang there and rot.

I also have a pair of Ritchey Tom Slick 700x30, (inflatable to 40-80 pounds) never used or put on. (Once I found the Armadillo's I gave up experimenting). Same deal with these.

If anyone is interested, send me a PM

One more thing; the TT2k's are notorious for having a recommended inflation pressure that's too low. The 32's say 70-80psi. IMO, that yields a too-soft tire that doesn't corner as well as it should and may cause the premature sidewall deterioration that some reports allege.

That's speculation, but I put all those miles on mine pumped to 90-95psi. Never a problem. YMMV.

RichC

I'm using 28's at 105 psi.

mechanic said good tyres but they have fragile sidewalls so watch you don't hit anything too hard.

Both sets of tires are spoken for.

I've had good luck with mine, no flats (knock on wood!), for the last two seasons, probably about 4000 km. I run them at 85 psi.

I like mine for the positive feel they provide on gravel roads. My Fuji Touring had Vittoria Randonneurs as standard fit and they were good on sealed surfaces, but dynamite if you got caught on the softish fines that build up on the side of wheel tracks on gravel roads.

The TT2000s do have a slightly more sluggish feel to them, and they are noisier -- which indicates a certain loss of energy. I can't say they are lasting any longer than the Vittoria's -- I had a look last night at the two, and for about the same distances and similar riding (loaded touring, commuting and randonneurs), the wear on the rear tyres was more for the TT than the Vittoria.

I've run my TTs at 90-95psi for a while, but for long-distance riding, this produces a level of harshness that becomes tiring. I've dropped back to the max recommended pressure, and the ride is much more supple with what I perceived to be a slight improvement in handling.

FWIW

R

I have a pair of TT2000's on my new commuter that I purchased at the beginning of April. Over 1,500 kms so far to date without a flat. I maintain the recommended pressure and find the ride rather nice. No complaints. Rather have no flats that a little faster ride.

I highly recommend them for commuting. :)

The 32mm ones are standard equipment on any UK loaded touring bike, an ideal size for riding down rough surfaced lanes and unsurfaced trails.
I like them for touring, but they are a bit sluggish for unladen riding.

Hmmmm.
the 32c TT weighs 550 grams. I think my Avocet K20 weighs something
like 355 grams. This is not a small difference. I tested a bike that had TT and found it unacceptably slow, it did also have touring rims. The weight difference between my rim and the 520 is 95 grams. That's over 10 ounces per wheel. On the road, my bike feels lively and fast. If that means I get a flat once in a while, so be it.

Just as I thought so many mixed opinions, Some love 'em and some hate 'em.

Anyway guys thank's for your inputs I guess I will chance buying a pair to find out for myself.

Happy riding!!!!!!!!!

I ride the 26X1.75 on the commuter, have 4000 miles on the with one flat. I ride the 700X32 on the outing bike 5240 miles on the no flats. I don't seem to feel the rolling resistance any more than other tires of the same size that I've used in the past as others have stated, I ride the 26" tires at 45 psi and the 700 tires at 90 psi, they roll well and have served me well for many miles. They are easy to mount and dismount on the road.

I wonder which is the best psi for 27x1/4 tires?