Puncture protection and reliability is taken care of thanks to Continental's renowned hard wearing tread compound and two SafetySystem anti puncture layers beneath the tread With a thin tread cap, this will inevitably be light. Even a file tread works well on gravel, but no tyre in this category is meant for mud. A thin, light tread cap reduces mileage and puncture resistance. Tubeless compatibility Lanes layered in dung and hedge clippings, shards of broken glass and even the odd drawing pin have made negligible impression on the casings. No flats in 5 months and approximately 1800miles. to mount to a very ordinary mtb touring hoop but given a few weeks, they become more compliant and I’ve only needed a single lever to start/scoop the final section of bed home. Either way, you’d be going some to get a pinch flat.

Even allowing for the test bike's moderate (34-89 inch) gearing, little effort is required to coax them up to speed, which is great for pulling away at the traffic lights, overtaking slow moving farm traffic, or catching a fellow rider napping. Otherwise, I've happily cruised along, reflecting on the world, at 18-20mph. Durability

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Wider tyres can be run at lower pressures than narrower tyres without increasing the risk of punctures. This can make them more comfortable and gives you more grip, useful if you are an all-weather cyclist. Lighter and more expensive than a steel wire bead, this feature also makes it easier to carry a spare. Weight

The Micro-diamond tread patterns grips well on loose and greasy surfaces, giving the tyre true all-roads capability, and extends over the ‘skinwall’ sidewalls for added protection, making the tyre suitable for use with a bottle dynamo. I'm told the 180tpi (threads per inch) casings are designed for speed and comfort. The skinwall sidewall also contributes to this; traditionally, commuter models tend to employ gumwall, which is much beefier and therefore less prone to sidewall damage. Skinwall sidewalls do require more stringent adherence to recommended pressures. The sidewalls are also retro-reflective on this model.A thinner tread and a lighter, more supple carcass save weight. A 700×37C tyre is heavier than a smaller diameter 650×37B but, as a guide, expect a weight of well under 500g for either size. Puncture protection These tyres also suit cycle touring, with the widest examples ideal for the weight of a fully-laden machine, where their speed can significantly extend the range of a day’s riding. The other set of figures you may see is ETRTO sizing like this 28-622. The first number here is tyre width while the second number relates to wheel diameter.