@Pionir asks:
Q4. Has anyone got any off road experience of the Continental Pure Contact tyre?
Is it any good for gravel or dry single track?
(If not, which tire is?)
#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite
A4. Vittoria Mescals seem to be the default choice for most. The vast majority of the Tour Divide MTB race run them in various sizes.
I use 2.25" Conti TerraSpeed Protection (the protection bit is important) and they are great for dry gravel, less great if it's really muddy a only lightly knobbly.
@Pionir @ascentale @bikenite Ahh yeah 650b does lower the options. But agree the amber walls look good. Sadly everyone else appears to think that, so usually full price or out of stock.
A4. No experience, but road.cc says this, and mentions some alternatives:
https://road.cc/content/review/continental-pure-contact-tyre-311995
I've used two dedicated gravel tyres and would rate them both. I don't know if they're available in 650b. They're Michelin Power Gravel and Challenge Gravel Grinder (now renamed, I think). Probably a bit more gravel dedicated than the Pure Contact and equivalents.
@Pionir @DurableAce @ascentale @bikenite A4 sorry no experience of those, fwiw I commute on Hutchison Override 35s which are too narrow for the loose deep stuff, although they are also available in 38mm. They're smooth on the upright-rolling surface and slightly bobbly on the shoulders. #BikeNite
@Pionir @DurableAce @ascentale brexit, innit.
Jun 20, 2026, 12:26 PM@ascentale
They have a good review on the rolling resistance website
For light gravel and dirt track (and commute) my single answer is green marathon and it seems to be available in 650b.
@Pionir @bikenite
Jun 20, 2026, 5:14 PM@ascentale @Pionir @bikenite A4 #BikeNite. If you think it may work for you and your riding, try it. Tyre reviews are n=1 IMO. For every one person telling you they ride like they’re on rails and last forever there’ll be someone telling you they grip like Bambi on ice, ripped a sidewall after 3km, and set their house ablaze.
@pete @ascentale @Pionir @bikenite ⬆️ this. #BikeNite