Gravel tyres: Continental Terra Speed & Terra Adventure on test - fast adventure
Robert Kühnen
· 24.04.2025
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The fastest gravel tyres for mixed terrain have a low profile and are almost reminiscent of road bike tyres. Stronger profiled tyres for gravel bikes show more bite, dig through gravel more confidently and offer more control on rooty trails. We compared the Continental Terra Speed (fast) and Terra Adventure (grippy) tyre combination in the test.
Fast as lightning: Continental Terra Speed
The squaring of the circle - fast and grippy - comes with the label "Made in Germany". This is presumably due to the rubber compound on the tread, as the Continental Terra Speed with the additional designation ProTection rolls extremely easily, despite the continuous, albeit delicate tread knobs.
The tyre was already top in previous tests, and now it also holds better. Fit, inflate, ride. The Terra Speed doesn't cause any problems, bites through everywhere and rolls very easily on any terrain. The carcass is also quite cut-resistant. All in all, this brings us the overall test victory.
The only drawback could be the durability, as the fine lugs presumably lose grip quickly on sharp surfaces - the Conti Terra Speed ProTection is a racing pellet to let it fly.
Continental Terra Speed ProTection: Facts, figures & price
- Price: 61,95 Euro >> available here
- Nominal dimension: 622 x 45
- Measured width: 43 millimetres
- Weight: 518 grammes
- Street 3 Bar: 21.8 watts
- Street 2.5 bar: 22.0 Watt
- Street 2 Bar: 23.9 watts
- Gravel 2 bar: 30.9 watts
- Cut resistance running surface (N): 432 Newton
- Cut resistance side wall (N): 280 Newton
Rating & grade Continental Terra Speed ProTection
- Weight: 1,0
- Rolling resistance gravel: 1,0
- Rolling resistance road: 1,0
- Cut resistance Tread: 3,0
- Cut resistance side wall: 1,7
- Grip: 2,0
- Road feel: 1,0
- Overall grade: 1.4
Snappy & with thick fur: Continental Terra Adventure
The new Continental Terra Adventure is "Made in China". It has slightly more solid studs, especially the shoulder studs are more pronounced. This provides more grip. The rolling behaviour on the road is still good.
However, the models are worlds apart in terms of smoothness, which is probably due to the rubber compound as well as the lugs. However, this is less important for the intended use of the Adventure. The even higher cut resistance is more important here - the best in the test.
Continental Terra Adventure: Overview - Facts, figures & price
- Price: 61,95 Euro >> available here
- Nominal dimension: 622 x 45
- Measured width: 43 millimetres
- Weight: 540 grammes
- Street 3 Bar: 33.9 watts
- Street 2.5 bar: 35.0 Watt
- Street 2 Bar: 37.3 watts
- Gravel 2 bar: 43.7 watts
- Cut resistance running surface (N): 491 Newton
- Cut resistance side wall (N): 270 Newton
Continental Terra Adventure: Review & Grade
- Weight: 1,7
- Rolling resistance gravel: 2,3
- Rolling resistance road: 2,7
- Cut resistance Tread: 2,0
- Cut resistance side wall: 1,7
- Grip: 1,5
- Road feel: 2,0
- Overall grade: 2.1
This is how we tested
All tests were carried out independently by manufacturers using their own methods. The rolling resistance test on level ground should be emphasised. We can also measure on gravel and see that a thicker tread adds power. As a "road" for the rolling resistance test, we choose a rough surface that interacts with studs and shows which rubber compound works efficiently.
The test criteria were weighted as follows for the evaluation:
- Weight: 10 %
- Rolling resistance gravel: 20
- Rolling resistance road: 25 %
- Cut resistance tread: 10 %
- Cut resistance tread: 5 %
- Grip: 20 %
- Road feel: 10 %
Robert Kühnen
Editor
