Continental Terra Trail Cream 700 x 40C gravel tire review

With the Terra Trail Cream, Continental have released a skin-wall version of their gravel tire, promising comfort and control in any terrain. How does the tire perform while commuting and on the trail? We’ve been testing it for you for the last two months.

Available in two sizes (700 x 40C and 650 x 40B), the Terra Trail comes with all the standard Continental features. Thanks to the BlackChili Compound, the tire should offer low rolling resistance and high mileage despite excellent grip on and off paved surfaces. The combination of synthetic and natural rubber with the addition of soot particles is said to be the perfect compound for gravel. According to Continental, their in-house ProTection technology makes the Terra Trail durable and puncture-resistant despite being light and grippy. As it’s Tubeless Ready, the tire should also be quick and easy to fit and inflate without a tube. On paper, this seems like the perfect tire for gravel riding, but how does the Terra Trail perform in real-world conditions?

Continental Terra Trail Cream review

The models we tested weigh 432 and 434 g, which is significantly less than indicated by the manufacturer (460 g) while showing little variation. Fitting them on the Canyon Grail (click for review) was very easy with a tube and they inflate to 42 mm on 24 mm wide rims. For a gross bike and rider weight of approximately 85 kg, we settled on a tire pressure of around 3.2 bar up front and 3.5 bar at the rear, offering a nice compromise between off-road grip and fast rolling on paved surfaces. The tires roll very well on asphalt as well as on gravel and woodland roads. On smooth roads at high speeds above 65 km/h, the tire’s tread pattern starts feeling a little nervous. However, it is normal for a 40C gravel tire not to offer the same rolling characteristics as a 25C road tire.

The Terra Trail offers excellent grip, both on asphalt and on gravel. We couldn’t get it to slide out on tarred roads and were amazed at what the Continental is capable of. If the tire slides out on the trail, then it does so in a very controlled and predictable manner. You can even touch the brakes to slide into a corner and always remain confident that the shoulder knobs will eventually grip and carry you through – brilliant!

The only weakness we noticed on the Continental Terra Trail was under hard braking at high speeds (from 60 km/h), where it tends to get a little squirrelly. However, moderate braking manoeuvres don’t faze the tire at all. On gravel, woodland and meadow paths, the Terra Trail will slow down very reliably at all times.

We didn’t encounter a single puncture to complain about during testing, which is almost a miracle considering where we rode. The Continental Terra Trail isn’t bothered at all by thorns or rocky terrain or even obstacles that you overlook and consequently hit at high speeds. ProTection technology does what it’s supposed to, almost making you forget your puncture repair kit at home.

Our conclusion on the Continental Terra Trail

With the Terra Trail, Continental have brought an excellent gravel tire to the market. It provides plenty of grip, instilling you with confidence on all surfaces and, in addition to low rolling resistance, also offers reliable puncture protection. Whether you use your gravel bike for commuting or purely for fun on the trails, the Terra Trail is an excellent all-rounder that performs well in all conditions!

For an overview of other gravel tires, check out our big gravel tire group test.

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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl