CX/Gravel Tire Test: Continental Terra Speed TR 40

NOTE: We have a test available of a newer version of this tire: Continental Terra Speed TR E-25 2024

This is a test of the 40 mm (40-622) version of the Continental Terra Speed TR. We already tested the 35 mm (35-622) version of the Terra Speed TR (read our review) last year and found it to be the fastest CX/Gravel tire that still offers a somewhat knobby tread. As the 40 mm tires seem to be a bit more popular on gravel bikes, many of our Pro Members were curious how the 40 mm version compares to the 35 mm version.

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On paper, both the 35 and 40 mm versions of the Terra Speed appear to be the same as they both use the same tread pattern, the same familiar 3/180 TPI Continental casing, and the well-known Continental Black Chili compound. From the information published on Continental's website, we expected the 35 mm and 40 mm versions to be nearly the same tires.

We did notice something strange in the specified weight of these tires: the specified weight of the 40-622 version is much higher than the 35-622 version (14% size increase, 29% weight increase). Even more remarkable is that the 40-622 Terra Speed is heavier than the 40-622 Terra Trail, which is a tire made for somewhat heavier conditions.

From the specified weight alone, we can be quite certain that the 40-622 version of the Terra Speed is a different tire than the 35-622 version that we tested last year. As most people that visit this site want to know every detail about their tires, we've done the tests that clearly show where the extra weight has gone and how this affects the performance of the Terra Speed.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Continental
Model	Terra Speed TR
Year	2021
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	0101694
EAN	4019238027099
TPI	3/180
Compound	Black Chili
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	40-622
Specified Weight	465 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	73
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	35-622 (700x35c) 40-622 (700x40c) 45-622 (700x45c) 35-584 (650x35b) 40-584 (650x40b)

Continental Terra Speed TR 40 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	465 grams
Measured Weight	461 grams
Measured Width Casing	38 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	38 mm
Measured Height	35 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	1.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	1.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.30 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (30 ml sealant) (current protocol)	Conti Cross28 (160 gr) (test protocol)
Measured Width	38 mm	38 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar 39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 barHigh Air Pressure (54 psi / 3.7 bar)	Members Only	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar 33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar 39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (45 psi / 3.1 bar)	Members Only	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar 33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar 36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar 39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (36 psi / 2.6 bar)	17.8 Watts CRR: 0.00534	21.6 Watts CRR: 0.00647
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar 36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar 39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 barExtra Low Air Pressure (27 psi / 1.9 bar)	20.6 Watts CRR: 0.00618	25.6 Watts CRR: 0.00767
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	42 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.30 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	58 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	1.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	1.2 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

The 40 mm Terra Speed is not just a slightly larger version when compared to the 35 mm Terra Speed, but the construction also has been beefed up. The obvious difference can be found in the thickness of the tread (+ 0.4 mm) and the thickness of the sidewalls (+ 0.1 mm). This extra material results in a stronger and more durable tire, which also shows in the tread puncture test where the 40 mm Terra Speed performs ~ 30% better.

Luckily, this somewhat heavier construction hardly affects the performance in the rolling resistance tests. The low rolling resistance indicates the compound is the same (fast) version of the Black Chili compound and not a slower, grippier version that they use on some of their other off-road tires. All in all, the 40 mm version of the Terra Speed looks like an even better tire than the 35 mm version if you don't mind the increased weight.

Jump over to our comparison section to fully compare the 35 mm and 40 mm versions of the Terra Speed: Terra Speed 35 vs Terra Speed 40

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RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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