Continental Tires 101 ?
 

It was a sad day a couple years ago when I realized that the Conti Top Touring 2000 was no longer in production and that reshoeing old faithfull wasn't going to be turn key.

It's time for another reshoe and it looks like Conti has some new offerings. Or, at least some I was unaware of. I'm looking to go 700X32c. Which of Conti's offerings comes closest to the tried and tru TT2000? What other offerings should be considered and why?

Thx!

I used Conti TT2k for a number of years in 700cx37c. The tires I have found to replace them is the Conti Sport Contact. It is available in 700x32c and 700x37c. They are just as fast as the TT2k and much more puncture resistant. I measured their speed by timing myself on a time trail course with the two different tires. Times were identical.

The Ultra Gatorskin 32mm looks like a nice tire, and should be close to the 2000. When my present (Schwalbe Marathons) 32mm wear out I plan on trying a pair. I'm really happy with the Ultra Gatorskin 28mm tires. I was also sad to see the discontinuance of the 2000. I still have a pair of 25mm Ultra 2000's that I run on my road bike in the winter.

I don't know anything on the tt2000's, but I have been riding the Gatorskins in earnest for the majority of the summer now. Definitely avoid goat heads for i got a pinhole puncture & changed tubes from that (i do not use slime/sealant), but otherwise the tire meets my expectations. It has low rolling resistance (i.e. I can keep very consistent speeds).


I still want to try the Continental travel contact, do those come in 700x32cc?

Conti web site says 700x37 and 700x47. I've got 8,000 mi on a set of 26x1.75 with only 2 flats due to punctures.

I dont' know anything about the tires you were running but I bought the 700 x 32 Gatorskins a month or two ago and I really like how easily they roll. I have ridden a road, racing bike for years to commute on and recently I got a touring bike for commuting and ultimately a touring (first tour was a few weeks ago). My touring bike came with some knobby tires, 700 x 32. The bike felt slow, sluggish and the turns felt spongey. I had only riden on 200 x 23's and was really contributing all those sensations to the width. When I go the slick 700 x 32's I was blown away and the speed and responsiveness. I've rarely get flats and felt like these might be overkill but the extra security is worth it. A flat really is inconvenient, especially when on your way to work.

Incidentally, I wasn't able to find them anywhere in the U.S. (online) and bought them at Petra Cycles, from the UK. I payed a total of 102 dollars I think, including shipping. I later saw them in REI and they were more expensive in the store, even with the shipping costs I had incurred!

Forget about the contis, vittoria radonneur cross or pro are the tyres to Have.

thumbs up on the gatorskins, I am running 700 x 28.
Liam

I'm a big Conti tire fan, but recently bought Vittoria Randonneur Hyper 32s for my touring bike. I couldn't find a negative review about the Hypers and they are relatively light weight, 350 g for the 32s with low rolling resistance. Also have reflective sidewalls and are foldable.

+1

After 3 years and 10,000 miles, I switched from Gatorskins to Vittoria Radonneur Hyper. I now have more than 1000 miles on these. The Vittoria Radonneur Hyper does everything better. No flats, and the tires are tough. I use these in Chicago on broken glass and potholes without a worry. the Vittoria Radonneur Hyper is much more secure on wet pavement, the Gatorskins are very poor on wet pavement. These roll faster and are more comfortable. I keep mine at 85psi rear and 70 in the front. These are very supple tires.

The Top Contact is the replacement for the TT2000. I have 37c on my LHT but recently bought a set of 32s that I plan to put on after d2r2 this weekend.

Conti 101 >>====> Many in their line of tires often actually measure smaller than their stated size, undoubtedly to market a lesser tire weight for that rated size.

Schwalbe Duranos. We have used them in 28C form on the tandem and now on our touring bikes. Slick tread, nice roll, and corner well. And unlike Conti they measure a true 28mm wide.

Great response here!! I'll research the suggestions here and make a decision. As always, thx and any more thoughts, keep'em coming.