Touring Bike Tire Test: Continental Pure Contact
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 21.9 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 126 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 73 Points
- Conclusion: 4.0 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Continental Pure Contact
(100% is best)
The Continental Pure Contact is Continental's newest 'urban' touring bike tire, designed for cyclists who want to use their tires in all conditions. The main features of the Pure Contact include exceptional puncture protection of the tread and a premium compound that maintains grip even in difficult situations.
Looking at puncture resistance, we see that the Pure Contact scores 8 on Continental's puncture resistance scale, higher than all their previous tires as their scale maxed out at 7 before they launched the Pure Contact. This would mean that the Pure Contact should score more than 124 points in our puncture resistance test, as that's the score of the Continental E.Contact that we tested in 2015.
The high puncture resistance is achieved by combining a 3/180 casing with two layers of puncture protection under the central part of the tread. This time, Continental has incorporated both its Vectran puncture protection and Poly-X protectors into the Pure Contact. We are very curious about how these combined layers and the thicker tread of a touring bike tire will impact overall puncture protection.
The compound is a 'premium' compound, and according to Continental, together with the tread pattern, it results in one of their best-gripping tires in the touring bike segment.
We have conducted all our tests, and you can view the results below.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Continental |
| Model | Pure Contact |
| Year | 2024 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 0101970 |
| TPI | 3/180 |
| Compound | - |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 40-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Width mm | 40.00 |
| Specified Weight | 585 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 72 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
40-622 (700x40c) 47-622 (700x47c) 50-622 (700x55c) 55-622 (700x55c) 50-584 (650x50b) 55-584 (650x55b) 60-584 (650x60b) |
Continental Pure Contact Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 585 grams |
| Measured Weight | 590 grams |
| Measured Width | 39 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 39 mm (un-round) |
| Tread Depth | 2.2 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 5.9 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 60 psi / 4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | Conti Tour 28 (170 gr butyl) |
| Rolling Resistance 75 PSI / 5 Bar |
20.5 Watts CRR: 0.00615 |
| Rolling Resistance 60 PSI / 4 Bar |
21.9 Watts CRR: 0.00656 |
| Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3 Bar |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 30 PSI / 2 Bar |
Members Only |
| 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 | 126 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 | 5.9 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 | 73 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Tour/E-Bike grip test rim width = 23.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Continental Pure Contact
(100% is fastest - lightest - thickest - strongest)
The Continental Pure Contact is clearly a true touring bike tire. The tread is thick and has enough rubber to provide a long lifespan. As Continental promised, the tread's puncture resistance is higher than any other tire from Continental that we have tested so far, and it confirms Continental's puncture resistance claims.
The sidewalls have average puncture resistance and are the weakest point when evaluating the Pure Contact as a touring bike tire. Sidewall protection is less critical, and if you handle the tires with a bit of care, it is unlikely to be an issue. You do get a good rolling resistance and low weight in return.
We highly recommend the Continental Pure Contact if it fits your needs.
RATING:
4.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended