Road Bike Tire Test: Continental Aero 111 26
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 9.1 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 47 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 81 Points
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Continental Aero 111 26
(100% is best)
Continental developed the Aero 111 in collaboration with DT Swiss and Swiss Side, and its primary purpose is to cut through the air like never before. The tread design is entirely new, and it comes with 48 precision-formed, vortex-generating cavities that create controlled turbulence and ensure prolonged airflow attachment to the rim. According to Continental, this reduces aerodynamic drag and improves crosswind stability.
We already know how the Aero 111 performs as we tested the 29 mm version a few weeks back. This time, we will look at the 26 mm version to confirm its performance and see how it compares to the 29 mm version. With the Aero 111 being a pure aero-optimized tire, it's essential to match the right size with the right rims, and we see this test of the 26 mm as a vital tool to decide between the 26 and 29 mm versions of the Aero 111.
If you're interested in more information about the Aero 111, we recommend reading our review of the 29 mm version that comes with more of an introduction.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Continental |
| Model | Aero 111 |
| Year | 2024 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Very High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 0102046 |
| EAN | 4019238283921 |
| TPI | 2/220 |
| Compound | Black Chili |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 26-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 26 |
| Specified Weight | 255 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 102 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
26-622 (700x26c) 29-622 (700x29c) |
Continental Aero 111 26 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 255 grams |
| Measured Weight | 249 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
269 grams |
| Measured Width | 25 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 22 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.4 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 65 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Members Only |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | None (20 ml sealant) |
| Measured Width | 25 mm (un-round) |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar 25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar 28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 barUltra High Air Pressure (120 psi / 8.3 bar) |
9.1 Watts CRR: 0.00273 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar 25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar 28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 barExtra High Air Pressure (100 psi / 6.9 bar) |
9.6 Watts CRR: 0.00288 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar 25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar 28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 barHigh Air Pressure (80 psi / 5.5 bar) |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 barMedium Air Pressure (60 psi / 4.1 bar) |
Members Only |
| The Road Bike 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 | 47 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 | 2.4 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 81 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Continental Aero 111 26
(100% is best)
The 26 mm version of the Continental Aero 111 performs very similarly to the 29 mm, with some marginal differences besides the apparent size and weight differences. The rolling resistance of the 26 mm version is just slightly higher, and we attribute this to the somewhat higher tread thickness (2.4 mm) compared to the 29 mm version (2.2 mm). This 0.2 mm is probably the manufacturing tolerance, and we expect them to all come in somewhere between 2.2 and 2.4 mm.
Due to the higher tread thickness, we also see the tread puncture resistance coming in a bit higher. The grip is nearly the same, with a slight advantage for the 29 mm version that we contribute to the larger contact patch of the bigger tire.
The most important measurements of this test are the size and weight measurements, where we see the 26 mm Aero 111 coming in a good bit smaller than the 29 mm version. Both sizes come in small on our 18 mm test rim, but we expect them to come closer to the advertised size on the wider aero rims they should be used with.
Compare the 26 mm and 29 mm versions of the Continental Aero 111 side by side on our comparison section: Aero 111 26 vs Aero 111 29
RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended