I put a pair of Conti Contact 700x28 on my bike once. They measured about 25mm wide, handled like crap, and they weren't even round. Thankfully, REI has an awesome return policy. Got some Vittoria Randonneur Cross 700x32 which I was VERY happy with. There IS something wrong with the tread pattern on the Contacts in that size. It's the "lightning bolt" shaped center ridge. The Vittorias have a symmetrical double center ridge that rolls nice and straight.

Just so you know you aren't the only one who has had this problem.