Maxxis Rambler and Receptor: Gravel Tire Review!
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Continental Terra Adventure Gravel Tires First Ride: Aggressive Tread for Trails & Bikepacking
Positioned at the edge of MTB, Continental introduces the new Terra Adventure: a gravel tire for tons of grip on trails, mud, and loose terrain.
Weather alert in Tuscany! As Continental invites us to present their new gravel all-rounder in Massa Vecchia, the dark clouds have just cleared. What remains is dramatic lighting and ideal conditions for our first adventure with the new Terra Adventure, a gravel tire for those looking for an all-rounder with lots of grip on loose to wet ground.
The Continental Terra Adventure, with its aggressive tread, aims to bridge the gap between gravel and XC mountain biking. © bc GmbH
The Terra Adventure completes the German brand’s gravel tyre range. © bc GmbH
Continental Terra Adventure - the info
If you view Gravel Bikes as a hybrid between classic road bikes and mountain bikes, then the Terra Adventure is a tire that especially promises off-road fun with drop bars. Conti has designed the new tire as an all-rounder for loose and soft grounds. It stands out with large, trapezoidal knobs that remind us of XC bestsellers like the Cross King or the Race King.
With tyre widths ranging from 45 to 55 mm — although the 55 mm version is already too wide for most gravel frames and was therefore classified as a 29-inch cross-country mountain bike tyre — the Terra Adventure is clearly aimed at riders who prefer to venture off paved roads: into the woods, onto gravel tracks, or even on trails. The Continental launch event in Tuscany turns out to be the perfect opportunity to have a closer look.
- Application Gravel off-road all-rounder for trails and bikepacking
- Sizes 45-622 (28x1.75), 50-622 (28x2.00), 55-622 (29x2.20)
- Carcase Trail
- Compound Grip
- Hookless-compatible yes
- E-Bike Approval yes (25 km/h)
- Weight 532 grams (ETRTO 45-622, weighed)
- Colors Black/Black, Transparent/Black
- Buy Continental Terra Adventure
Terra Adventure - Test camp in Tuscany
If you're not exactly into short-track racing or cyclocross, you need a tire that can do somewhat different things more or less well: good rolling behavior on hard ground, grip and short braking distances on gravel or muddy sections, resistance and safety in curves, and last but not least: puncture protection and resistance to flats. For hobby riders, long distance, or bikepacking, it's important to make the right tire choice in advance. The Terra Adventure promises to be a gravel tire focused on off-road use but wants to also perform well on hard surfaces.
For the launch of this new off-road specialist, manufacturer Continental invited us to Tuscany, specifically around Massa Marittima. This promises not just exciting Italian cuisine, seemingly endless olive groves, distinctive landscapes, and the famous Tuscan cypresses; but also a variety of tracks to test the running characteristics of the Terra Adventure: gravel paths, some steep climbs and descents, clayey soils where impressive puddles can remain in the spring, rocky passages, asphalt, and of course lots of trails where you can have fun with an MTB too. It promises to be exciting.
Gravel riding in Tuscany isn’t just easy on the eyes — on off-road-heavy tours, the Terra Adventure gets to flex its muscles. © bc GmbH
Hands-on: At the press event in Tuscany, Conti presents its new off-road tyre. © bc GmbH
He knows his stuff: Product Manager Alex has smart answers to all our detailed questions. © bc GmbH
The Terra Adventure in the practical test: Riding feel and handling
The test bikes are set up with the Continental TPU tubes introduced at Eurobike 2024. This initially causes some bewilderment among us testers - we've long gotten used to pressures and handling from tubeless setups. But Conti product manager Alex calculates: At only 45 grams per tube, the TPU solution is somewhat lighter than the tubeless variant with sealant and valve. Let's see how it fares in terms of puncture protection. Of course, the Terra Adventure is fundamentally tubeless ready.
Endless olive groves line the trails. Massa Vecchia is a paradise — not just for MTB fans. © bc GmbH
Our test ride first takes us over gravel side roads and farm tracks. And right in the first climb, it becomes clear: This thing has grip! As long as the ground doesn't get too loose, you can tackle steep sections in the saddle without the rear wheel losing traction. Anyone switching from MTB to gravel bike will feel right at home here. In the first shaded section, we encounter an extensive puddle with plenty of mud around it. Here too, the tire does what it should: no sliding, no getting stuck in the middle of the puddle. The Terra Adventure adventure begins to be fun for us.
We come across stream crossings like this quite often. This way, we spare our readers the sight of Tuscan mud puddles. © bc GmbH
Bumpy! On the gravel bike on trails
On some gravel tours, there are those passages where you secretly wish for a Mountainbike. Thus, Stefano, our Italian guide, has found for us some spots that can be called challenging for a bike without suspension: Bumpy rocks and narrow, downhill trails demand attention and remind us to find clean lines. The Terra Adventure gets through this rough program well, remaining always direct and easily steerable, but as expected, due to a little more air pressure, it's on the stiffer end of the scale. Aggressive side knobs provide a lot of grip and resistance in curves, the braking traction gives security.
There are those bumpy sections where you start wishing for a full-suspension bike. The Continental Terra Adventure holds its own even in tough terrain. © bc GmbH
On tarmac, this off-road all-rounder rolls better than expected. © bc GmbH
On hardpack to the café
The last mile to the much-anticipated cappuccino stop finally leads us along some asphalted roads. Here, the Terra Adventure surprises with comparatively quiet rolling noise, decent straight-line stability, and quite good running characteristics: We didn't necessarily expect this from a tire touted as an off-road specialist.
Coffee break: Tuscany is simply unbeatable when it comes to food and drink, too. © bc GmbH
Continental Terra Adventure - Conclusion
As much as a subjective ride impression on unfamiliar terrain doesn't meet the criteria of an objective tire test, we can certainly say after our first outing: The Terra Adventure is here to stay. Especially for those who have moved from MTB to gravel biking, the generously treaded tire will feel right at home: Its off-road capabilities deliver on the manufacturer's promises, and it even performs surprisingly well on roads. However, it's too early to make reliable statements about the puncture resistance of the tire with its single-ply trail casing, which we already know from Conti's MTB portfolio, and its durability.
A minor drawback: The inevitable numerous rubber bristles, called airvents, on the test tire's tread blocks are not only unsightly; they also end up as unnecessary wear in the environment. Whether Continental finds a way to remove these for the production tires remains to be seen.
Happy tyre tester: A clear recommendation for the Terra Adventure — and for Tuscany. © bc GmbH
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Continental Terra Adventure Q&A
Which width of Terra Adventure is suitable for which terrain?
In general, wider tires mean more grip and more cushioning. The Continental Terra Adventure is available in three widths from 45 to 55 mm, which already makes it not the best choice for optimum performance on the road. The right width depends on personal riding style, rider weight, and of course, the tire clearance of the fork and frame.
How does the Terra Adventure perform on wet ground?
Even when things get wet, the Terra Adventure still provides plenty of grip and safety. This makes it above average for a gravel tire in wet and muddy conditions.
Is the Conti Terra Adventure also suitable for light MTB trails?
If you want to venture onto simple mountain bike trails with a gravel bike, the Continental Terra Adventure is a good choice. Its off-road qualities resemble those of MTB tires, ensuring plenty of grip, even in corners on loose ground.
How do I mount the Conti Terra Adventure tire tubeless?
Continental recommends using at least 30 ml Conti RevoSealant per tire for the initial installation. Using a tubeless booster can also help avoid frustration when mounting tires without tubes.
Can I ride the Terra Adventure with hookless rims?
Yes. Continental generally approves the Terra Adventure for use with hookless rims; it is important to observe the manufacturer's specifications and the maximum allowable pressures.
How long does the Continental Terra Adventure tire last on average?
We cannot yet provide any information about the mileage and durability of the Terra Adventure.
What tire pressure is recommended for different gravel terrains?
Generally speaking: high tire pressure means low rolling resistance on smooth surfaces with low shock absorption. Low tire pressure, on the other hand, increases the risk of punctures that can damage the tube, tire or even the rim. Tubeless setups can handle lower pressures than those with tubes, lighter riders need less pressure than heavier ones, wider tires can be ridden with less pressure than narrow ones. The rule of thumb, at least off-road, is: as little tire pressure as possible, as much as necessary.
Who would particularly benefit from buying the Continental Terra Adventure?
Those who ride a lot on loose or muddy ground with their gravel bike, or are looking for an all-rounder for off-road heavy bikepacking adventures, might find the Continental Terra Adventure to be a worthwhile choice.
