Commuting - New style (430) Big Apples

Other than cosmetics and a few sizing changes, are they the same tire as the older (338) Apples? I`m having trouble digging up the 338s in the size I want, but a little bit reluctant to buy the "new and improved" version. Actually, I do see a FEW old stlye in my size, but the prices look like "collector`s edition" fare, and I`m really not willing to pay that much.

I’ve been using slick-centered Continental Comfort Contact 700 x 54 (29” x 2.1) street tires on my 35 pound Trek Wahoo 29er for the last 550 miles and I like them even better than Schwalbe’s Big Apples. I ordered the Continentals through my LBS and they were $80 for the set. They’re excellent quality tires and have no negative attributes. They’re 3 plies, 180 TPI, and provide Safety System Breaker flat protection.

The Continental website is in error concerning the max air pressure of the 700 x 54 as its max air pressure is actually 65 PSI (as indicated on the sidewall of the tire), but I typically run them at 70 PSI. I haven’t incurred any flats with these tires and they really let this bike roll at a swift pace on flat ground, 25 MPH in still air conditions. I’ve yielded my fastest average speed on my 6.967 mile commute with these tires at an average speed of 19.3 MPH traversed in just 21 minutes and 41 seconds. Since there’s a gauntlet of 25 traffic lights that must be negotiated on that commute and I always get stopped at several of the traffic lights, I’d have to be traveling at a significantly higher rate than 19.3 MPH in order to achieve this average speed hence, my 25 MPH flat ground speed is a reality whether anyone wishes to believe it or not. Since I pedal this 35 pound 29er on my hilly century rides (roughly 4,500 feet worth of ascents), I’ve become a very strong rider. Even so, these higher speeds weren’t possible with the OEM 29” x 2.1 knobby tires that came on my 29er, as they were horrible rollers and required considerable energy to break into the low 20 MPH range, which made steady cruise speeds of 17 to 18 MPH on flat ground more the norm. Conversely, these Continentals are fun-tastic! I’ll soon be ordering a set of these Continentals for my 26er mountain bike as well.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/city/citytyres/comfortcontact/comfortcontact_en.html

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Thanks, Gnosis. I`d never heard of Comfort Contact. It looks like they come in a bigger variety of sizes than the Apples. I think I have a line on just what I was looking for (338s in 26 x 2.0) at Walbikes- will call in the morning to make sure, otherwise just might go for those Contis.

I have the new Big Apples in 26x2.35 on my cargo bike and they are wonderful. I never the tried the previous version, but from what I read they only changed them minimally. I have 400+ miles on them so far and they still look new and are very fast rolling for such a wide tire.

Thanks, Gnosis. I`d never heard of Comfort Contact. It looks like they come in a bigger variety of sizes than the Apples. I think I have a line on just what I was looking for (338s in 26 x 2.0) at Walbikes- will call in the morning to make sure, otherwise just might go for those Contis.

My lengthy searches for the ultimate low rolling resistance street tire for my 29er eventually led me to the slick-centered Continental Comfort Contact 700 x 54 tires, but I didn’t know anyone who had tried them. However, I’ve been a good judge of tires for a very long time, so I was reasonably certain by their slick-centers, their side tread pattern, and their 180 TPI that they’d be excellent tires and they most definitely are. Continental makes motorcycle tires as well and I’ve used them many times on my sportbikes (1000cc & 1300cc).

I didn’t want to go to the 2.35” wide Big Apples, as their width has tendency to interfere with the front derailleur on some bikes and their width would also have a tendency to be more air resistive. The Schwalbe’s 2.0 wide Big Apples were a bit narrower than I was looking for. The Big Apples also came in a 2.15” wide tire, which was precisely what I was looking for in the Big Apples, but they were repeatedly sold out wherever I looked.

Well, things work out for a reason and I love these Continental tires. They’re fast, and though I inflate them to 70 PSI, they provide a very comfortable ride on my hardtail 29er.

I wish you satisfaction with whatever tires you end up purchasing. :thumb:

If you can find the older ones, but at a higher price, then get the new ones. I think the new model is a little lighter, but beyond that, wouldn't expect to see much of a difference. My current older BAs appear to have many thousands of miles of wear left on them, and I won't hesitate to buy the newer model when they wear out.

Thanks for the help, gang. I have two old style on the way from Wallbike for a god price (they only have one more in 2.0). Found that source after posting here, or I would have left everybody alone for the time being. Still, its nice to know the new ones aren`t Spawn of Satan material and good to hear about the cushy Contacts- two options for next time!