Continental Terra Competition: Fast But With a Limit

Today, Continental Tires is launching the latest “fastest ever gravel tire” called the Continental Terra Competition. What isn’t being said outright in this launch is that it draws a 45mm line in the dirt and rejects the recent industry push toward “bigger is better.”

What is the Continental Terra Competition?

The new tire sits somewhere between an all-road option and a gravel race tire, depending on your vision of the spirit of gravel. The tread pattern claims to be for “fast gravel applications,” and while it’s not a slick, the tread blocks are low with an unbroken center line for straight-line tarmac speed. As you transition to the edges, the pattern does gain some height, but even there, it remains low-profile.

Continental positions this tread design as being as much about dry conditions—ranging from compressed dirt to worn-out tarmac—as it is about aerodynamic efficiency. Continental’s internal testing claims that, compared to the Terra Speed, the new Terra Competition is aerodynamically faster across all tested yaw angles.

Unfortunately, Continental does not share exactly how much faster, so you’ll have to guess. However, the new tires are also taking serious aim at weight. Continental claims to have shaved between 25 and 68 grams off the previous Terra Speed depending on the width. That translates to a savings of up to 16.4% in rotational weight compared to its predecessor.

But wait, there’s more. Tire performance depends on weight, aerodynamics, and rolling resistance. Continental is focusing on all three with the new Terra Competition, claiming up to a 17% reduction in rolling resistance compared to the Terra Speed. It is worth noting that this massive claim is made at an unreasonable 5 Bar (72.5 psi), but it still represents a significant savings at the lowest listed 3 Bar (43.5 psi), where the reduction drops to a still-respectable 9%.

Sizes, Puncture Protection, and Pricing

Most of those big-number claims come from the Race casing, but that is just one of two options, alongside the Trail casing. Both designs utilize a “one-ply construction” and are quite similar, featuring a textile breaker under the tread. The difference lies in the added protection for the sidewall and crown in the Trail casing tires. Continental categorizes the Trail casing for “Gravel, Down Country, and Trail use,” while the Race casing is aimed at “Gravel, Cross Country, and Down Country.”

If that’s confusing, the launch materials essentially position the Trail casing as the all-around option, while the Race casing sacrifices puncture protection and dampening for weight savings and agility. The choice is about more than just the casing, though. If you choose the Race casing, it comes paired with Continental’s Rapid compound rubber, while the Trail casing utilizes the Grip compound. If you want to make it really simple, choosing the Race casing also saves 60 grams in a 45mm tire.

Regardless of which casing and compound you choose, the tire is tubeless-ready and hookless-compatible. But what’s most notable are the sizes available at launch. While there’s a spirited, ongoing discussion happening about the best tire sizes for gravel racing, Continental seems to have chosen a side. The new Terra Competition, the self-proclaimed fastest gravel tire Continental sells, maxes out at 45mm, with the only other options being 35mm or 40mm.

Pricing for the new tires is set at €68.95 / £59.30 / $76.26, and you can find more information on the Continental website.