Continental SuperSport Ultra Wire Bead

Price Paid:  $20.00 at Settle Cycles, Yorks

Favorite Ride:
East Sussex lanes

Bike Setup:
Geo. Longstall 22" 2-wheel drive trike. Use suspension seatpost, flexstem. Mavic triple.

Summary:
I do randonees on a variety of bikes, including a George Longstaff trike. With low rolling resistance allied to high mileage, these tyres roll even better with latex innertubes, which renders the tyres even more puncture resistant. Excellent traction in wet and dry conditions. They also become more puncture resistant with a dusting of talcum powder between tyre and tube.

Strengths:
Cut resistant tread. Because of the smooth latex surface cuts can be filled with super glue, unlike butyl tyres. They are easy to take on and off. Easy to spot tread damage and remedy.

Weaknesses:
Walls are susceptible to cuts.

Similar Products Used:
Michelin 25's in the 1950's.

Price Paid:  $25.00 at lbs

Favorite Ride:
hilly with no traffic

Bike Setup:
Reynolds 531, Open 4CD's, 110-120PSI

Summary:
I have done nearly 5000km on one pair and have no complaints. I train on them, I race on them, but I don't go out in the rain! Call me soft, but maybe that is the difference. I love Conti's and would only upgrade to maybe a lighter tyre if I thought they would be as good as these.

Strengths:
cheap, durable, Continentals!

Weaknesses:
they don't make me go faster. oh sorry that is me not doing enough training!

Similar Products Used:
Conti Top Touring (best touring tyre in the world!)

Bike Setup:
Cannondale R900 w/ Ultegra

Summary:
I didn't realize how good these tires were until I replaced them. They had a good stable feel with really low rolling resistance, and didn't flat often. When they did flat, you still had good control to come to a stop. They have been on my bike since '97 and had over 3000 miles on them when I replaced them.

Strengths:
low rolling resistance
flat supression
durability

Weaknesses:
a little heavy

Similar Products Used:
vittoria action
specialized turbo

Favorite Ride:
Mt. Lemmon

Bike Setup:
Klein Stage

Summary:
I will never again buy these tires. Hell, if you offered them to me for free I would turn you away. I've never had so many flats as I have with these tires. It was not uncommon to have at least a flat a week. After having 2 flats in 2 consecutive days, I've finally decided to get rid of them.

Strengths:
smooth ride

Weaknesses:
flats, flats, and more flats

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $22.00 at About Bikes

Favorite Ride:
One Legged Turtle

Bike Setup:
Schwinn Paramount with Shimano 105 components

Summary:
I have purchased two of these tires over the last six months. I could not ever be sure of getting through a ride without a flat since even the smallest bit of debris would penetrate the tread and casing. The sidewalls of the older tire have dried and cracked showing frayed threads.

As long as the tires stayed inflated, they rode well and gave sufficient traction. The problems I had with these tires seem to be design flaws rather than manufacturing defects.

Strengths:
None that I can tell.

Weaknesses:
Casing just falls apart.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Armadillo