Road Bike Tire Test: Continental Ultra Sport III 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 14.1 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 53 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 71 Points
- Conclusion: 3.1 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Continental Ultra Sport III 25
(100% is best)
NOTE: We added wet grip test data on 2021-11-26. The rating of the Continental Ultra Sport III has been upgraded by 0.1 points because of very good results in the grip test.
The Continental Ultra Sport III replaces the Ultra Sport II as Continental's cheapest road bike tire. We tested the Ultra Sport II back in 2015 and found it to offer a lot of value for your money as it offers just slightly less performance when compared to more expensive tires. Over the last 5 years, the Ultra Sport II has been the only tire in the lowest price range that we recommend (rating of 3 / 5 or higher).
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The updated Ultra Sport III is still very similar to the Ultra Sport II (read our review). The most obvious change is the new tread pattern of the Ultra Sport III that gives it a more modern look and feel. Also new is an E25 rating for use on E-Bikes with a maximum speed of 16 mph / 25 km/h. Unchanged is the 3/180 casing and PureGrip compound which both are ranked just behind Continental's 3/330 casing and Black Chili compound.
Just like the Ultra Sport II, the Ultra Sport III doesn't have an additional anti-puncture layer under the tread which is something we see more often on cheaper tires. Some of this is made up by the thicker 3/180 casing that offers a bit more protection when compared to the thinner 3/330 casing that's used on Conti's more expensive tires. The biggest drawback of the 3/180 casing is a higher weight and a higher rolling resistance.
This is a test of the 25-622 folding version of the Ultra Sport III. An even cheaper wire bead version is available as well but we always recommend the folding versions as it saves you ~200 grams for a pair of tires at very little additional cost.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Continental |
| Model | Ultra Sport III |
| Year | 2020 |
| Tire Type | Tubetype (clincher) |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Low |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | 0150457 |
| EAN | 4019238026849 |
| TPI | 3/180 |
| Compound | PureGrip |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 270 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 123 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
23-622 (700x23c) 25-622 (700x25c) 28-622 (700x28c) 32-622 (700x32c) 25-584 (650x25B) 28-584 (650x28B) |
Continental Ultra Sport III 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 270 grams |
| Measured Weight | 267 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + inner tube (100 gr) |
367 grams |
| Measured Width | 26 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 24 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 3 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 64 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 | Conti Race28 (100gr butyl) |
| Measured Width | 26 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) |
14.1 Watts CRR: 0.00423 |
| 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) |
14.7 Watts CRR: 0.00441 |
| 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 | 53 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 10 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 3 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
NOTE: Grip test data is only available on tires tested after November 2018. You can find more information about our grip test here: Introducing Grip Testing
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 71 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 Ultra Sport III 25
(100% is best)
It's quite obvious from our test results the only change made to the Ultra Sport III is a new tread pattern and an E25 rating. While no improvements have been made that show up in our tests, the Ultra Sport III still offers the most bang for your buck when we compare it to other road bike tires in the lowest price class.
When we compare the Ultra Sport III to Continental's top of the range Grand Prix 5000, rolling resistance of the Ultra Sport III is 40% higher, weight is 20% higher, and puncture resistance is the same. In terms of price, it looks like you can buy 2 Ultra Sport III's for the price of a single Grand Prix 5000 (read our review). We leave it up to everyone to decide whether that performance difference is worth it.
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RATING:
3.1
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended