Background
After my upbringing in Germany, I moved to Taiwan in 1989, got married, and became a father. Former Formosa had a terrible environment but improved due to some government measures like bike lanes which resulted in a better attitude towards cyclists and cycling as a whole. The ‘bike bug’ bit me again and I had to have one!
From a 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 bikes like the handlebar, stem, and bar-end shifters, rear derailleur, and the chain.
While I enjoy the higher speed and have been satisfied with the overall feeling of my road bike, I still tried to figure out the right tires for me.
Continental Ultra Sport II, 700 x 25c folding tires review As a German, my first tire choice fell 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, which in my case, I believe, were made in Thailand. My Continental mountain bike tire was 'made in India'. Checking out today's homepage of Continental, they invested in China and all cheaper tires should be made there and shipped all over the world.
Price
It was my cheapest ever road tire at around NT$450/€12.70/US$14.50 per tire to date. This is possible due to a lower cost production overseas, they are n o t made in Germany.
Weight
Advertised as a 'trusty training companion' by Continental, the tire was on the heavier side. For a folding tire (700 x 25c) the weight was around 300 grams/tire.
Montage
Was easier than expected but the tire had to be forced into its proper place on the rim. Due to the poor puncture protection and excessive wear, I had to mount and re-mount each tire several times over its lifespan. The pulling and pushing for the right fitting on the rim remained the same each time!
Ride Quality
In dry and wet conditions, the ride quality was all right; I never slipped even on road markings or in corners during rain. The suggested tire pressure is 95-120 psi; the 'right' pressure in terms of comfort and performance for me was around 110 psi. Below this pressure, the tire felt heavy and slow; at the higher pressure, the tire felt 'woody' and unforgiven. The tires became so stiff that even white road markings shook me seriously from time to time.
I rode the tires during a bike challenge, they kept me reliable through wind and rain.
Wear & Puncture Protection
Even for a training tire, the wear and puncture protection was out of my world. The rear tire could not hold more than 2,000 km until the thread of the casting could be seen (see photo). This was an obvious sign that the tire should be changed. Once even my wife wondered: "Did you not just buy new tires a few weeks ago?" 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 'long-lasting and durable tires'. In their lifetimes, the four different tires had 9 (!) punctures; on one single day, I had two flats! Fortunately, I always carry three spare tubes with me (on each ride!) and could safely return home.
Origin of the Tires
My tires have been made in Thailand. On the current homepage of continental-tires.com, I found 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 the Anhui Province in Mainland China, which is, of course, in Asia. No product 'made in Germany' would be branded 'made in Europe', would it?
Generally, Continental high-quality tires are hand-made in Germany, but the medium and lower-quality bike tires are made somewhere else. If in doubt, the material might indicate its origin. On my Continental Grand Prix 5000 review, I've noted that e. g. the BlackChili rubber compound is only made and used exclusively for 'made in Germany' tires.
Pro
+ cheap
Negative
- poor puncture protection
- not long-lasting
- fiddly to mount in the right place on the rim
- heavy
- hard
Verdict
I rode four different Continental Ultra Sport II tires both on the front and rear. Because of the wear, the poor puncture protection, and its current origin in Mainland China, I would neither buy nor ride and therefore recommend these tires to anyone else.
PAdvice
Each tire has different characteristics like every rider. Bicycle tires are important safety equipment, nothing else connects us cyclists with the road.
1. After mounting the tires they should be checked regularly visually for defects. In case of doubts, a local bike shop or mechanic should be asked for advice.
2. The tire pressure should be checked regularly. The manufacturer writes the recommended air pressure on the tire wall. Inner tubes might lose some air over time; too low pressure within a short time might be an indication of a defective inner tube.
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. Ride responsibly, defensively, and safely! It is senseless to gain some seconds but spend weeks recovering in a hospital and/or at home! You, your body, your parents, your family, and your friends will surely appreciate your precautions during a bike ride.
I've owned these tires, mounted, and ridden them by myself. I paid for the tires I tested; I am not endorsed by anyone. In this way, I can freely test my equipment and can give my recommendations freely. Subscribers or followers are more than welcome!
Ride carefully, Gerhard
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