My Road Bike Tires experiences: Continental Ultra Sport II and Panaracer Race A & L Evo 3 (Part 1)

I have to admit, I am a bike addict. 

   From small I enjoyed the freedom of riding a bike, it represented the cut of the cord or great escapes from a very troubled family of an alcoholic father and a Nazi mother.

   Later I worked for a Volkswagen, and Porsche car dealer ship. Even I could get worker discount for cars I did not buy a car but rode some motorcycles, from a Hercules 50 cc (2.7hp) I progressed to a Yamaha XS360 (27hp) and later moved to a Suzuki GS550 Katana, enjoying the wind blowing into my face, feeling the sunshine and freedom but also often faced relentless German rain and cold weather; later I would call my home country not 'good old' but rather 'good cold' Germany!

   I moved around and to Taiwan, got married and became a father. In this Far Eastern country the environment for riding bikes was terrible in the beginning of the 1990s. Not only the pollution was unbearable but also the motor scooters, cars and trucks transferred the road into the Wild, Wild West with seemingly no regards to traffic rules and traffic lights. It all changed after the government implemented stricter pollution laws, serious enforcement of traffic rules and, last but not least, investments into safe bike lanes.

   As the environment for riding bicycles improved and more and more riders hit the road the ‘bike bug’ bit me again and I had to have one! I went to a shop but was shocked by the prices of better quality bikes. I purchased the necessary parts on-line and put my 1^st bike together. Not much of a handyman myself but it worked out very well despite some problems adjusting the front and the rear derailleur. But somehow I managed it and ‘hit the road again’! Even a ‘breathless’ first ride I felt right at home, the bike worked well and I could feel the sun in my face and on my shoulder.

   From the mountain bike I progressed to a road bike, purchased the necessary roadie parts (frame, fork, wheels etc) but also tried to use some parts from my old bike like handlebar, stem, bar end shifters, rear derailleur and the chain. Of course you cannot compare the efficiency on the road of both bikes; they are designed for different purposes…

   While I enjoy the higher speed and are satisfied with the overall feeling of my road bike I still try to figure out the right tire for me. Following are some experiences of bike tires I tried in the last two years: 

1. Continental Ultra Sport II, 700 x 25c folding tires 

As a German my first tire choice felt on Continental tires, a German brand of bike tires. I did not want to invest my hard earned money into their top of the line tires so I bought the Ultra Sport II tires, in my case I believe 'made in India' and/or 'made in Thailand'. Advertised as a 'trusty training companion' by Continental the tire was on the heavier side for a folding tire with around 300 grams/tire. 
- Price

It was my cheapest road tire at around NT$450/€12.70/US$14.50 per tire to date.

- Mounting

Was easier than expected but it the tire had to be pushed it its proper place on the rim. Due to the punctures and excessive wear I had to mount each tire several times over its lifespan!
- Ride Quality

In dry and wet conditions the ride quality was all right; I never slipped even on road markings in corners during rain.

Very Rainy Maple Leaf Bike Challenge 2017 in Taiwan, the Tires performed flawlessly

The suggested tire pressure is 95-120 psi; the 'right' pressure for me was around 110 psi. Below the tire felt heavy, above the tire felt wooden and very hard. I even could 'feel' the white road markings which shook me seriously up from time to time.
- Wear & Puncture Protection 

For a training tire wear and puncture protection was out my world. The tires could not hold more than 2,000 km until the thread of the casting could be seen (see photo), a sign for me that the tire should be changed. Once my wife wondered: "Did you not just buy tires a few weeks ago?" Actually three months have passed since...I had this excessive wear on both front and rear tires despite Continental's claim that the 'PureGrip' compound provides for 'long lasting and durable tires'.
In its lifetimes these four different tires had 9 (!) punctures. On one day I had two flats! Fortunately I carry always two spare tubes with me (on each ride!) and could finish the bike tour. 
- Origin  

On continental-tires.com is the reference that Continental tires 'using the PureGrip compound are 'exclusively manufactured in the factory in Hefei (Asia)'. Further research revealed that Hefei is the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in Mainland China, which is, of course, in Asia. No product 'made in Germany' would be branded 'made in Europe', or would it?

- Verdict  

I rode four different Continental Ultra Sport II tires both on the front and on rear wheel. Because of the wear, the poor puncture protection and it's current origin I would not buy these tires again.

Clear Abrasion after not even 2,000 km (front & rear tire)

- Conclusion

Each tire has a different characteristic like every rider has a different nature. Bicycle tries are an important safety equipment, nothing else connects us with the road. 
1. After mounting the tires should be checked regularly visually for defects. In case of doubts a local bike mechanic should be asked for advice.
2. The tire pressure should be checked regularly. The manufacturer places the recommended air pressure on the tire wall. Inner tubes might loose some air over time but too low pressure within in a short time might be an indication of a defected inner tube.

I am not endorsed by anyone and paid for these tires like every regular customer! 

A Word of Caution
   Always ride with a helmet and in a way that you are in control of the bike not the other way around. It is senseless to gain some seconds but spend weeks to recover in a hospital and at home! 
   Ride responsible, defensively and safe! You, your body, your parents, your family and friends will surely appreciate your precautions during a bike ride.

Take care, Gerhard

part 2: https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/11/my-vittoria-corsa-competition-700-x-25c.html.