Continental Terra Trail in review
Made in Germany: the two Continental models are the only tires in our test to be manufactured in Germany. With a more pronounced tread, the Terra Trail promises better off-road performance than the lighter Terra Speed but also rolls 30% worse in our lab testing.
If you’ve previously been riding the Terra Speed, prepare for tired legs with the Terra Trail. The larger tread and heavier construction ride like a Terra Speed with a pack of chewing gum stuck to the tread. However, uphill, the second Conti tire in our test proves to be a good climber and easily deals with steep sections of terrain. It offers a good level of comfort and damping is also improved slightly over the Terra Speed. After the first few corners on compacted gravel, it’s quickly obvious that the Trail is the significantly more capable descender of the two Continental tires. Gravel newbies will be pleased with the increased cornering grip. The Terra Trail works at any angle and the higher shoulder knobs continue to offer decent traction even at high levels of lean. The Conti demonstrates world-class braking and will bring you safely to a standstill on all terrain. In the lab, the Terra Trail proves to be well-equipped against punctures, but just like the Terra Speed, is vulnerable to snakebites.
Conclusion
The Continental Terra Trail offers a secure ride and excellent cornering traction, making it particularly well-suited to gravel beginners as an all-round tire. Whether up- or downhill, the Conti tire offers enough grip in every situation, though this is to the detriment of rolling efficiency.
Tops
- decent level of comfort
- lots of grip when leaned into corners
- good braking performance
Flops
- limited protection against snakebite punctures
Made in Germany | Tested size 40-622 | Tire width in mm¹ 39.4 | Tire height in mm¹ 36.1 | Tire height + test rim in mm² 60.1 | Weight 446 g | Price € 57.90
1 messured dimension with 2.5 bar. 2 Test rim: Stan’s NOTUBES Grail 622 x 20.3 C (Rim height 24.5 mm)
For more information head to:
In our introduction of the best gravel tire on test you can’t just find our most interesting findings and our overall conclusion, but a good view on all tires tested.
All tires on review: Continental Terra Speed (click for review) | Continental Terra Trail (click for review) | MAXXIS Rambler SilkShield TR (click for review) | Panaracer GravelKing SK (click for review) | Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H (click for review) | Schwalbe G-One Allround Evolution (click for review) | Schwalbe G-One Bite Evolution (click for review) | Specialized Pathfinder Pro (click for review) | Teravail Cannonball Light & Supple (click for review) | Vittoria Terreno Dry (click for review) | WTB Riddler TCS Light/Fast Rolling (click for review) | WTB Venture Road TCS (click for review)
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Words & Photos: Benjamin Topf, Philipp Schwab
