Originally Posted by Kedosto

Wow, did this one spin outta control there for a bit. It looks like I’m the only guy around with actual experience with both tires. Well, not EXACTLY the HS 420 but the full (5mm) thickness Marathon Plus.

First, my experience with Conti is that their cheaper tires run undersized. In fact, I would buy one size larger just to get close to the size I actually wanted. But, the Contact II’s are true to size as measured by my calipers. I have mounted both 37’s and 42’s on rims with 22mm and 24mm internal. Now, it kinda depends on how firmly one squeezes the micrometer, but the tires measure out true to a variance of no more than 1mm. I have a set of 47’s but I’ve never measured them — they’re fat and that’s all I need to know.

My Marathon experience is limited to a couple of sets, years ago. As I recall, they were slightly oversized, but damn were they heavy. Now, as a Clyde I don’t really give a damn about weight except when it comes to tires. That’s the one area where weight means anything to me because of the effect it has on acceleration and handling. And Marathons are heavy to spin up and you feel every gram in the handling. Once spinning, they carry momentum well, but for stop & go commuting they’re tough to live with. I see why they’re a great choice for touring with their tough, heavy design, but for everyday riding I find them to be overkill.

I spent a lot of miles on Specialized Armadillos. They offer OUTSTANDING flat protection and for years I overlooked their punishing ride in favor of the protection. Armadillos wear like iron and are tough as nails, but they are definitely not plush. If only there was a tire that offered excellent flat protection, a comfortable ride, and didn’t weight half a ton apiece — enter the Conti Top Contact II.

Early last year after wearing out another set of Armadillos I was dreading the thought of mounting up another set. I considered the Marathon Supreme, but they’re pricey and I lose a tire every once in a while to a major catastrophe and I don’t wanna spend $80 bucks only to ruin one with a gash to the sidewall. The Conti’s use the same Vectran belt flat protection design as the Supreme and do it cheaper so I figured WTH I’ll give them a try.

As I already mentioned, the Conti’s run true to size. They ride very plush (but honestly, compared to the Armadillos anything is plush) and have excellent grip. They’re wearing out evenly and appropriately, without any weird bulges or patterns. I have about 3k miles on the 42’s with zero flats (in Oakland California, the Broken Glass Capital of The World) but my guess is that they will not wear as long as the ‘Dillos. I never wore out the Marathons but then again, I didn’t want to make the effort.

I hope you get something out of this.



-Kedosto