In search of 32mm tires
 

I have a 2014 Cannondale Quick CX 3 with its original Kenda Happy Medium 35mm tires on it. I recently purchased it lightly used.

On my road bike I run Continental GP4000s II tires in a 28mm size. On this Quick CX, I'd like to move away from the gravel/trail tread of the Happy Mediums to something more road-oriented. However, I intend to use this as a "for utility and casual riding" bike. It will be outfitted with a Tubus Vega Evo rack with some Ortlieb panniers for errand use, as well as for family rides... things like that where my more road-specific bike isn't as ideal. The bike can accommodate up to a 40mm tire, but I'd like to go with something in the 32mm range. But, where I'm quite at home selecting tires for my road bike, I don't really know where to start with this bike.

It seems like many "commuter" tires are being marketed for the ebike segment now. I'm not looking for something quite so heavy. Ideally I would mount something with a very mild tread, maybe even slick like the GP4000's.

I know that tire selection is a bit of a holy war, but what recommendations are there in a 32mm road and fast-commuter tire? When I need something heavier and more suited to bad terrain I can always swap back on the Kenda Happy Mediums. So I'm really just seeing a recommendation for a 32mm tire that is more road oriented.

Conti GP 4 Season? Pasela ProTite? Gravelking non-SK are quite light and fast rolling, but flat protection is so-so.

Continental Sport Contact II. I'm on my second week with 'em, about 200 miles so far. Took a few rides to get the tire pressure right, but I'm liking 'em better the past couple of rides. I weigh 160 and they were harsh between 65-80 psi. Much nicer around 55-60 rear, 50-55 front. Probably faster at higher pressure but I'm more concerned about comfort on the hybrid. My road bike is for speed so I'll put up with harder tires there.

Minimal file tread, basically textured slicks, but grippy. No problems in puddles, sandy debris with pebbly stuff, etc. Okay on groomed gravel/chat trails. Not quite as comfy as my former Speed Rides but not bad at all.

Only reasons I switched from Conti Speed Rides:
1. My 622x19 rims were warped when I was hit by a car in May. The replacement rims are 622x15, a bit too narrow for the Speed Rides.
2. I wanted to put the SKS Bluemel fenders back on but they wouldn't clear the Speed Rides. The 700x32 Sport Contacts are a better fit.

Weight is about the same as the Speed Rides, somewhere between 450-500 grams each. The Speed Rides have thinner tread and much thinner, more supple sidewalls. The Sport Contact II's have thicker tread, probably more puncture resistant, and more rigid sidewalls. Very utilitarian build.

If you don't mind tossing $30 at an experiment, try a pair of Conti Ultra Sport II in 700x32. Don't scoff, these are really good tires for cheap slicks. I've ridden 'em in 700x25 all year on my road bike and they're almost as good as the pricier Schwalbe One V-Guards they replaced. The Ultra Sport II are much more resistant to nicks and cuts, surprisingly puncture resistant considering they lack any fancypants puncture shield, are really grippy for slicks, and ride really nicely for such inexpensive tires. No complaints at around $15 each. So far I've ridden only the folders but I just bought one wire bead Ultra Sport II in 700x23 when Nashbar was blowing 'em out for $10 apiece, just to fill out a $49 order to get the free shipping. Haven't tried it yet. I might dedicate it to the indoor trainer, haven't decided. The folder version worked just fine on the Cycleops trainer over the summer, no excessive wear or problems.

Panaracer T Serv Proteks are 348g at 32, have a file tread for off-road, and offer some flat protection. Like all lightweight Panaracers I have used, the sidewalls are the weak point but that's the only compromise i have seen.

May I suggest the Continental GrandSport Race and GrandSport Extra tires in 700x32 These are what I've been using on my hybrids lately. These are actual "road" tires with some flat protection. I've seen several 700x28 ties that fit the bill, but few in 700x32.

Last Fall I was searching for some actual 700x32 tires that were road tires that didn't have the words marathon, touring, city, plumpish, heavy as ****, associated with them and that also met the following requirements ...

• Foldable (all sizes)
• Pure Grip compound (1 step down from Conti's premium Black Chili compound)
• Decent 3/180 TPI so not entry level
• 1 layer NyTech breaker for flat protection
• 370 grams in 700x32 size
• Pressure: 60-102 PSI
• Reasonably priced (under $25 each)

I really loved the way they felt between the bike and the pavement so I ended up buying some GrandSport Extras in 700x32. Differences are ...

• Not foldable in 700x32 size (all other sizes, yes)
• 2 layers NyTech breaker flat protection
• 530 grams in 700x32 size (a bit plumpish)

The places where I've seen these at the lowest prices have been ProBikeKit and Chain Reaction Cycles.

Hope this helps.

Race:
https://www.continental-tires.com/bi...and-sport-race

Extra:
https://www.continental-tires.com/bi...nd-sport-extra

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look at GS Race and GS Extra tires, as well as at GP 4 Seasons and Panaracer T Serv Proteks.

What are the Conti Top Contact II tires like? Are they big heavy and harsh? Or should I also consider them?

The Continental Contact Speed (formerly the Sport Contact II I described above) are lighter, faster rolling and better suited to mostly pavement riding.

If I'm not mistaken, the new Continental GP5000s come in 32c sizes as well.

^^^ Yes they do, and expense aside, they are going to be a "real" road tire with few compromises.