A touring tire built around Vectran puncture protection works when that protection system delivers without adding rolling resistance penalties. Continental's Top Contact II brings the same double-layer Vectran Breaker from the Grand Prix 5000 into a touring platform that handles pavement, packed gravel, and forest paths without relegating you to slow, heavy rubber. The 3-ply, 180 TPI casing provides the foundation for a tire that rolls efficiently while absorbing road vibration across varied surfaces.

The tread pattern takes a deliberate approach to mixed-surface riding. A smooth center section minimizes rolling resistance on pavement and hard-packed surfaces, while the shoulders feature alternating inverted tread blocks with textured contact patches. This design channels water away from the contact patch and provides mechanical grip when cornering on loose or wet surfaces. Continental rates this as a Safety Level 6 tire, reflecting the combination of cut-resistant Vectran, substantial tread depth, and reflective sidewall striping.

Continental manufactures the Top Contact II at their German facility using the same material technology found in their road racing lineup. Vectran is a liquid crystal polymer spun into a multi-strand synthetic fiber that offers five times the tensile strength of steel at a fraction of the weight. The double-layer Vectran Breaker extends shoulder to shoulder beneath the tread, providing comprehensive puncture protection without the stiffness or weight penalties of thick rubber anti-puncture layers. This construction approach keeps the tire supple enough for lower pressure running while maintaining protection against thorns, glass, and road debris.... Read More