Continental Contact Sport 26 x 1.6 Tyres ok for these terrains ?

[mikeote]

Hi

I'm buying my first bike (since I was a kid), the one i've decided on is:

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Ridgeback-Tempest-2009-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_22433.htm

It has continental Contact Sport 26 x 1.6 Tyres, I will some times be using the bike on:

wet:
country paths
gravel paths
forest track
shallow puddles
grass

Should I ask them to fit some thing more like Continental Contact tyres ?

Cheers
Mike

 

[threefingerjoe]

My opinion: The Continental Sport Contact is a fine tyre...for road use. It is a slick. For the soft surfaces that you mention, I'd recommend something with a bit of tread.

 

[Downward]

Hi

I'm buying my first bike (since I was a kid), the one i've decided on is:

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Ridgeback-Tempest-2009-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_22433.htm

It has continental Contact Sport 26 x 1.6 Tyres, I will some times be using the bike on:

wet:
country paths
gravel paths
forest track
shallow puddles
grass

Should I ask them to fit some thing more like Continental Contact tyres ?

Cheers
Mike

I have the Countryride on mine (I was thinking of swapping to those Sport though) which has a fair bit of tread.
I would use it on most wet surfaces apart from grass so as to the question of using the sport on wet grass I would say thrice Nay.

The rest should be fine though although I would stick to the roads mainly in the wet with those tyres anyway.

 

[John Ponting]

Looks a nice bike but ... your list

wet:
country paths
gravel paths
forest track
shallow puddles
grass

seems the opposite of Ridgebacks

These are hybrids for the fit! Theyre more for the quick run into work or for a fast hour ride on the weekend rather than purely casual leisure riding. Despite having lots of gears, the lighter components often make this bike a closer relative to the road bike than the mountain bike


Tyres will need a hint of tread for those off road activities.

However, on Saturday I took a TREK 1.2 with 23mm light tyres along a reclaimed railway and really enjoyed it. After a bit of rain my Scott sub would have been more suitable.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I would most certainly look at getting a different set of tyres. Possibly something like these Schwalbe Black Jackhttp://www.chainreactioncycles.com/BasketAdd.aspx?AddToBasket=true&StockID=76522

 

[4F]

My opinion: The Continental Sport Contact is a fine tyre...for road use. It is a slick. For the soft surfaces that you mention, I'd recommend something with a bit of tread.

Agreed.

 

[mikeote]

Thanks for your replies guys:

RE: John Ponting:

i'll be using it mostly on road, only some times on the surfaces mentioned, and thingking about it, can do with out being on grass, just tarmac + country / forest & gravel paths for the sport, sound ok ?

I think i'll keep the contact sports, and later invest in another couple of wheels with tyres for a quick change when I will be going into the forest.

Cheers
Mike

 

[John Ponting]

Mike

It looks a good bike and should serve you well on your majority rides. I have a Scott sub20 that I use as short distance commuter, shopper, rail road trails, canal paths, fun with grandkids etc. One set of tyres serves me well. I am lucky enough to have another more road biased bike with narrow, ligh semi slicks. If I only had one bike I would keep the Scott.

 

[Downward]

So would people recommend replacing my Countrywide tyres with more slick ones for road use. Will this create a great difference in commuting speed ?

 

[MacB]

So would people recommend replacing my Countrywide tyres with more slick ones for road use. Will this create a great difference in commuting speed ?

should do but couldn't say an actual figure, that will depend on too many variables, mainly you though. One thing to remember is that grip is a feature of contact area. On a smooth surface a knobbly tyre will have less grip than a smooth one, all else being equal. On rougher ground, and especially softer stuff, the tread allows diversion of some of the material leaving cleaner contact for the raised parts of the tyre.