Rayxt

Finally got the 700 x 28c Continental Security tire. Fits perfectly on the 22 x 622 rims. Weighs 600g.

Running it at between 85 and 95 PSI and it scoots along like its on a steel rail.

Very different wearing compound (and tread pattern)




to the Schwalbe Marathon Plus which I have on the front. It should handle the odd patch of ice in winter much better too. And very possibly resist the abrasive very fine gravel on some cycle paths better.

https://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticy...security.shtml

Contact Security RRP is £23.99. It was developed as an alternative to the SMP which in the UK retails from £20-£26 each.

CYCLE SPORTS UK have the Conti Security tire on discount at £15.99 including postage AND a free Conti tube.

The 700 x 37c size can also run at 85 PSI according to Conti UK, if you want a larger size.

https://www.cyclesportsuk.co.uk/produ...4512&cPath=524

Time will tell if it goes the distance on a carpet of glass and steel shards.

Enthusiast

I've used the conti contact security 700x28 tires on my commuter for a year. I haven't been very pleased with them. They seem to wear out every 2000 miles or so, I was hoping for more though I dont know if this is normal. Riding in new orleans through all the detritus on the streets, I constantly have objects cut through the tread and puncture the tube, usually every 250 miles or so.

When properly inflated they roll pretty well, though not nearly as smoothly as my newer conti gatorskins. The contacts seem to have good traction, especially over the wet metal bridge gratings and trolley tracks I have to ride over. I haven't tried them in snow.

Rayxt

That's very interesting to know. The German website says they were developed with a silica and carbon compound for 'factory environments' ie rolling safely over wet metal or concrete surfaces, rails, oil spills etc , apart from not getting punctures. They also warn it isn't a 'comfortable' touring tire.

1-hr on them is no big deal - provided they don't get flats !!. But now you raise doubts.


As the fine quartz and limestone gravel I ride over for 30% of the journey will grind anything down, add that to the rest of the debris on city roads and only time will tell.

The ambient temperature and UV exposure in The Big Easy is much higher than 55 deg north, so their 'non-touring' compound will be somewhat softer. But I don't know if that would affect the wearing quality much.

Take a look at how the Marathon Plus 700 x 35c is holding up after 3,500 miles on the back and 700 on the front.





I don't know how people get 10,000 miles out of any bike tire. I got 5,500 from a Schwalbe Marathon (over London roads) without a puncture, then suddenly it started (like this Marathon Plus is now) getting tons of nicks, cuts and debris stuck in the compound - and flats.

Rayxt

Could you post some macro close up pix of the treads? It would be very interesting to see how the wearing compound has deteriorated with the heat and detritus.

Cyclist0383

^^^

Are you unhappy with the condition of the Marathon Plus after 3,500 miles?

Rayxt

No. I check it for shards and get them out with a very fine screwdriver and I've had no flats.

Schwalbe UK said once the outer wearing compound has worn down so you begin to see the blue inner breaker underneath, that's the end of the working life of the tire.

Hopefully there's still a long way to go, 7,000 would be OK as it's now on the front with the Conti on the back. At 95 psi the Conti 28 x 700 rolls very well for what it is and it has excellent grip.

Enthusiast

This is my new rear tire. It has ~700 miles.

This is currently my front tire. It has ~2500 miles as a rear tire, and ~700 as a front tire. The tread is now very squared off and one portion of the tire is worn down to the yellow compound.


I haven't noticed any deterioration from the heat. In fact, excluding possible differences in rubber compound, my tire may be more ductile than your marathon due to the heat of the roads. While the wear on my tire has been acute, I dont have as many minuscule cuts and punctures as you, though I ride over gravel and broken glass daily. I normally have these tires filled to 85 psi so that may affect my tire wear as well.

Rayxt

Many thanks for the pix. That's radical! I'm sure road surface temp must be a factor making the compound more ductile as you say. We'll see how my 28 x700 hold up.