What occurs when among the prime wheel, tire, and aerodynamic consultants get collectively? They make the world’s quickest tire, after which create some very quick wheel+tire programs. And the very best half is, they work at regular speeds, not simply professional peloton warp drive.
The brand new Continental Aero 111 street bike tire is the end result a collaboration between them, DT Swiss, and SwissSide. We lined the patent submitting for this in early 2023, and now the tires are lastly out there. Right here’s how they work…
Aero beneficial properties for all
The mission took place as DT Swiss was searching for methods to additional enhance general system aerodynamics. They are saying they have been fairly pleased with their wheels, rims, spokes, and hubs, so the subsequent degree was the tire.
They partnered with SwissSide to design it, then introduced in Continental to really make it. By utilizing scooped divots alongside the tire’s cornering edges, they’re capable of easy the airflow to scale back drag. Of their phrases:
“Specifically designed aero cavities within the patented tread sample perform as vortex mills, creating turbulent airflow on the floor that allows the air to stay to the rim form of the entrance wheel. The result’s a maximization of the crusing impact by delaying the circulation separation from the rim, ensuing within the final aero wheel tire system.”
What’s extra spectacular is that the profit is seen even at regular human speeds:
Straight on, efficiency is much like the favored GP 5000, but it surely begins to get a lot sooner with any crosswind, even creating unfavorable drag in extreme crosswind angles, which retains it extra steady, too. Sure, that’s “unfavorable drag”, also called propulsion…this wheel/tire system really makes you quicker in crosswinds, however that’s not even the very best half.
Most drag charts we see are at Professional Tour rider speeds of 40-50km/h. This one reveals the drag discount at 30km/h (18.64mph), a velocity many people cruise in any respect day lengthy.
The truth is, they are saying what makes this tire actually particular is that it could possibly cut back drag a lot at low speeds. The chart under reveals how its efficiency is constant whilst you improve your velocity to 45km/h, however discover how the GP 5000 modifications:
As much as a sure level (about 15º wind angle), they are saying the helpful “crusing” impact is extra pronounced on customary tires at greater speeds, which is an effective factor in case you can maintain 28mph. However for many of us, having a tire that produces improved aerodynamics at 18mph is way extra helpful. However wait, there’s extra:
The aerodynamic advantages are precisely the identical with the 29mm width, the curve simply strikes up barely…sorry, no “unfavorable drag” right here. Observe that this knowledge is with a shallower rim, however nonetheless reveals advantages at 30km/h.
Abstract: The Continential Aero 111 tire is supposed as a entrance tire solely, you should utilize no matter you need out again. They are saying beneficial properties are achieved no matter rim top, but it surely’s supplied in 26mm and 29mm widths to go well with private preferences. The 26mm would be the most aerodynamic, however for long-distance riders who need one thing with a bit extra quantity to enhance consolation, the 29mm will nonetheless supply extra aero advantages than customary tires.
Aero 111 tire particulars
The 48 cavities are the important thing differentiator. The remainder ought to sound acquainted for Conti followers. Their Black Chili rubber compound gives wet-and-dry grip and low rolling resistance. An ultralight and hard Vectran breaker sits below the tread cap to withstand punctures. and a tubeless-ready casing permits you to set it up with out tubes for the least rolling resistance.
It’s tubeless suitable with each hooked and hookless rims. Max tire strain is 72psi on hookless (TSS) rims, and 102psi on hooked (crochet) rims. Claimed weights are 250g (26mm) and 280g (29mm).
You’ll have the ability to get the tire by itself from Continental via its regular retail channels MSRP is round $/€120 per tire. DT Swiss will supply full wheel+tire programs with a slight low cost for including the tires in comparison with shopping for all of it individually. Choices are:
CARBON 1100 DICUT
Aero 26mm/28mm and Endurance 29mm/30mm: + €150 for entrance AERO 111 + rear GP 5000 STR + 2 TPU tubes totally mounted.
CARBON 1400 DICUT
Aero 26mm/28mm and Endurance 29mm/30mm: + €100 for entrance.
ALU AR / ER 1600 SPLINE 30
Aero 26mm/28mm and Endurance 29mm/30mm: + €50 for entrance AERO 111 + rear GP 5000 STR + 2 Butyl tubes totally mounted.
ALU A / E 1800 SPLINE 30
Aero 26mm/28mm and Endurance 29mm/30mm): + €70 (E) / + €80 (A) for entrance AERO 111 + rear GP 5000 STR + 2 Butyl tubes totally mounted.
Moreover, SwissSide will promote the tire individually and as a wheel-tire system. Canyon may even spec the WTS on choose bikes.
