Continental GRANDSPORT Race Tyres

HighPeak Cycles have asked me to test and review a pair of Continental Grandsport Race tyres (25’s). I have a couple of Cannodale roadbikes and have switched them both from the OE Schwalbe Lugano (25’s).

The Continental tyres have been supplied by Rob Scullion of Cambrian Tyres – so a big thanks to Rob for the opportunity to test and review the Grandsports.

I run Schwalbe Durano Plus (Smartguard) tyres on my Synapse Disc commute bike and Continental GP4000II on my Synapse Carbon ‘summer’ bike. Both are 25’s. The GP’s are a cracking tyre and my favourite by a country mile, so I’m hoping the Grandsport Race live up to my GP experience. I’m not expecting them to be as good as they do not have the grip/ sticky compound and are aimed at a more general road/ commute/ club riding market, but that spec should sit well on my Synapse disk.

The Conti tyres were supplied as ‘folding’ tyres and fitted easily in minutes with no issues. My first ride will be tomorrow (12/7/16) and I’ll update the review once I have covered enough miles to form a constructive opinion.

Out with the old (Schwalbe Durano Plus)

And in with the new (Continental Grandsport Race).

Update Monday 1/8/16.

I’ve been running the Grandsports for three weeks now. I’ve covered 373 miles on them in varying conditions from perfect warm, dry rides to awful torrential rain. Road surfaces have been poor (newly ‘dressed’ stone chippings) to ok. The tyres roll well and feel quick (which has shown with Strava segments) and have had plenty of grip. There have been no punctures, but I’ve kept the tyres topped up to 95psi which I’ve checked twice a week and at present I’m still riding in daylight (so can see road debris) other than my first 30 minutes at 4.30am.

Initial thoughts are that the tyre is very impressive. I’ll keep an eye on wear as it’s too early to comment on that just yet – but they grip well and do inspire confidence so I’m very happy with them compared to the other tyres I’ve used.So far I’m happy using them for commuting and general riding.

 

 

 

Duck Smart ‘mud slider’

Another of the flurry of afterwash sprays which claim to make cleaning your bike easier. This one works as well as others do. That’s not intended to be insincere, but this type of product is now well established on bike shop shelves.

It’s simple to use. Clean your bike thoroughly, but DO NOT dry it. Whilst wet spray the Duck Smart onto the frame. Make sure you cover it well and leave to dry. It will dry with no streaks and the next time you come to wash your bike the mud will slide off. Well, maybe not slide off, but from experience it does make the bike easier to clean so does what it says on the label.

The only downside to this particular Duck Smart brand is that once the bike is dry it leaves the paintwork dull and any scratches or blemishes stand out as a result.

Another product I reviewed last year (Pro Green Aftershine 101) does virtually the same job, but leaves a shiny gloss finish on the paintwork. Both Duck Smart and Aftershine offer similar results, but having used them both I prefer the Pro Green Aftershine 101 because if the gloss finish it leaves.