CX/Gravel Tire Test: Continental Terra Speed TR E-25 45

The Continental Terra Speed is one of the fastest gravel bike tires you can buy today. We tested the original Terra Speed in the 35 mm size in 2020 (read our review), the 40 mm in 2021 (read our review), and the 45 mm with tan sidewalls in 2023 (read our review). Somewhere between those tests, Continental added an E-25 rating (E-Bike ready up to 25 km/h), and we've also tested that version in the 40 mm size (read our review) just a couple of months back.

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This time, we will look at the E-25 rated Terra Speed in the 45 mm size with black sidewalls. Our test of the tan wall version of the 45 mm Terra Speed that we tested last year already showed us some fundamental differences between the tan and black sidewall versions. Today's test of the 45 mm version with black sidewalls will make that comparison even better, as comparing tires is made much easier when both are the same size.

If you want more information about the Continental Terra Speed, we recommend reading any of our other Terra Speed reviews, which include more of an introduction. For now, let's examine our test results and learn more about the differences between the tan and black sidewall versions of the Terra Speed.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Continental
Model	Terra Speed TR E-25
Year	2024
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	0102016
EAN	4019238093094
TPI	3/180
Compound	Black Chili
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	45-622
Specified Weight	530 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	65
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 E-25 45 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	530 grams
Measured Weight	506 grams
Measured Width Casing	42 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	42 mm
Measured Height	40 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	1.1 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	1.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.50 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)
Measured Width	42 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 (50 psi / 3.4 bar)	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 (42 psi / 2.9 bar)	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 (33 psi / 2.3 bar)	17.4 Watts CRR: 0.00522
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 (25 psi / 1.7 bar)	19.8 Watts CRR: 0.00594
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	45 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	2.50 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	68 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	1.1 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

Comparing tires is a bit more complicated when the test samples are off from the specified weight by quite a big margin, and that's the case with our 45 mm Terra Speed samples. Our sample of the 45 mm Terra Speed with black sidewalls is much lighter (506 grams) than the specified weight (530 grams), while our tan wall sample is much heavier (537 grams) than the specified weight (490 grams).

Even though our black sidewall version is lighter, it rolls slower than the tan wall version, and it again confirms our conclusion from the 45 mm tan wall test: the tan wall version of the Terra Speed is best when pure rolling performance is most important. When it comes to protection, the black sidewall version definitely has the upper hand over the tan wall version in both the tread and sidewall puncture resistance tests.

What's more interesting and confirms our conclusion of the E-25 rated 40 mm version of the Terra Speed is the improved wet grip that comes with the E-25 rated Terra Speeds. The latest E-25 mm rated, black sidewall version of the Terra Speed in the 45 mm size now scores a solid 68 points in our wet grip test, and that's much better than the first batch of Terra Speeds that we tested in 2020 / 2021.

Overall, the 45 mm E-25 rated version does much better than the 40 mm E-25 rated version we tested a few months ago. We feared rolling resistance suffered with the transition to an E-25 rated tire, but the 45 mm version is back up there as it rolls faster (at the lowest air pressure) than the original 35 mm Terra Speed.

Ad Buy Continental Terra Speed TR E-25 at Amazon.com

RATING: 4.8 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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