CX/Gravel Tire Test: Continental Terra Trail TR 40

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  • Continental Terra Trail TR 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts



Continental Terra Trail TR 40 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Together with the Terra Speed TR, Continental also launched the Terra Trail TR which is a more aggressive gravel bike tire made for more challenging conditions. On paper, the only difference between these tires seems to be the tread pattern but our tests show these tires are more different than you might think.


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What is also different is that the Terra Trail is only available in the 40mm wide sizes 40-622 and 40-584 while the Terra Speed (read our review) is available in both 35mm and 40mm wide versions. This once again indicates that the Terra Trail is intended for somewhat heavier conditions where grip is more important than absolute speed.


As we mentioned earlier, the specifications of both tires are almost the same and both tires use the well-known Continental off-road recipe: 3x180 TPI tubeless-ready casing, reinforced "Protection" sidewalls, and their "Black Chili" compound.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Continental
Model Terra Trail TR
Year 2020
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
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Manufacturer part number 0101697
EAN4019238027075
TPI 3/180
Compound Black Chili
Bead Folding
ETRTO 40-622
Specified Weight 445 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 73
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 40-622 (700x40c)
40-584 (650bx40)

Continental Terra Trail TR 40 Test Results

Continental Terra Trail TR 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 445 grams
Measured Weight 452 grams
Measured Width Casing 37 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 40 mm
Measured Height 35 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 1.3 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.3 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 2.00 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results


Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube None (30 ml sealant)

(current protocol)
Conti Cross28 (160 gr)

(test protocol)
Measured Width 37 mm 37 mm
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar
33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar
36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar
39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar
47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
High Air Pressure

(54 psi / 3.7 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar
33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar
39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar
47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 bar
Medium Air Pressure

(45 psi / 3.1 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar
33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar
36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar
39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar
47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 bar
Low Air Pressure

(36 psi / 2.6 bar)
22.2 Watts
CRR: 0.00665
26.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00779
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar
36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar
39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar
43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar
47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 bar
Extra Low Air Pressure

(27 psi / 1.9 bar)
26.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00779
31.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00929
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width.

All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs.

Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Continental Terra Trail TR 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 35 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle 8
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 2.00 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results


Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average 67 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 1.3 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.3 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100
CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion


  • Continental Terra Trail TR 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

Our results show that the Terra Trail has a considerably higher rolling resistance than the fast Terra Speed (compare side by side here). The difference is so big that this can't be explained by the 0.2 mm higher knobs in the middle of the tire since the rest of the tire construction is the same. We've also seen these same differences in the test results between the Race King and Cross King mountain bike tires.


We are therefore once again convinced that although Continental specifies both the Terra Speed and Terra Trail use the "Black Chili" compound, these are not exactly the same compounds. We assume that the "Black Chili" compound as applied to the Terra Trail gives more grip but rolls slower than the version used by the Terra Speed.


We're disappointed Continental doesn't specify which exact compound is used because this would make it much easier to make an informed decision when choosing a tire. We expect Continental to use 3 or 4 versions of the "Black Chili" compound internally, all of which have different characteristics.


All in all, the Terra Trail is certainly not a bad tire. Look for yourself on the CX/Gravel overview page to see the differences between the other tires that we've tested to date.


Ad Buy Continental Terra Trail TR at Amazon.com


RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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