🚴 Top Contact Winter II Premium Continental (700 x 42 Reflex) Review

After I put it to the test during some intense winter rides, I can safely say this tire is a winner. It provided reliable grip on snow and ice without sacrificing speed on pavement. The reflective material is a nice safety feature for early morning or late evening rides. The only downside is the cost, but for serious cyclists, it's worth the investment.

A friend of mine rode them on a gravel bike at the Old Man Winter Rally in Lyon, Colorado. It turns out that these tires are actually worse in the snow than other options like the WTB Riddler, Raddler, Resolute or Schwalbe G-One Bite. In 2015 it was probably the go-to choice for unoccupied suburban snow conditions, but with the huge increase in tire choices brought about by the gravel racing phenomenon, there are far better options to choose from.

These tires have exceeded all expectations. They were easy to install. On the first trip, on New Year's Eve, there was a light blanket of snow on the roads and especially on the bridges. As I rounded a bend on the bridge, the cyclist warned me about the conditions, but I had no problems. The only slip during the ride was climbing uphill through the mud, and even then for a short while. The tires tend to pick up small rocks, but I see this as "temporary lugs". Reflective strips are also great…