|   Report on why Conti Twister SS won't be avail. in the US | CKS
Mar 25, 2002 10:53 AM | | I spoke with the BikeMine (Conti importer) rep at Sea Otter this weekend and asked about the Twister Supersonic. He said it was manufactured solely to assist Scott in their effort to build a super light bike for Euro Interbike, and that in an effort to be super light, the tire ws too minimalized for normal use.
Therefore, they aren't available, and he doesn't recommend them anyway, as they're too thin, prone to flats, short-lasting, etc... and not much lighter (I don't remember how much) than the Twister Pro.
He also said that Conti is moving to "Pro-tection" for most of their tires... |
| they are a big succes over here in Europe... | nino
Mar 25, 2002 11:20 AM | | not much lighter than the Twister Pro?that guy must be kidding...the SS weighs 320-340g so that`s pretty MUCH lighter.he is right about them beeing prone to flats but let the customer decide what tire they want.someone who mounts this tire doesn`t expect it to be a reinforced,thornresistant tire-right?don`t tell me that a 340g Kenda tire is better in that aspect...
I have mounted a Twister SS just tonight on my rear wheel (by the way:it weighs 334g).I want to see how it compares to the Schwalbe Fast Fred i had before.the Schwalbe makes you so much faster it`s unreal.I will report on the Twister SS as soon as i get to ride it... |
| Nino, Conti SS question. | Andystrike10
Mar 25, 2002 11:35 AM | | Most of the Websites are now advertising the Twister SS as 370g, have they thickened it up? I've seen posts recently with weights the same as yours have Conti made a definite change? I like the FF's, don't seem quite as fast as the Worm drives on my Marin, I'll be interested to hear your opinions on FF's v SS's. |
| Nino, Conti SS question. | KMan
Mar 25, 2002 12:37 PM | | My understanding is that the original Twister SS were a little too flat prone so they added an additional layer of material which increased the weight by 20 grams. Not sure though if the new heaver versions are available yet or not.
KMan |
| That will be interesting to hear, Nino... | AZ-X
Mar 25, 2002 11:37 AM | | If you can get a chance to ride some loose gravel terrain (and/or loose hills) that would be good too. I'm awaiting an Explorer and Twister SS from overseas right now... |
| Let us know if you have any problems!!! | CODMAN
Mar 25, 2002 12:23 PM | | Like I said below,
my buddy rode on them all of last year. He got a flat in almost every race he entered (using tubes!!). He also shredded several. The tires were prone to cutting by rocks!!! His tires were also all in the 340g range. I wrote to Conti today (in europe) asking about the heavier 370g, wether or not it was to reduce flatting, tears, etc... I'll keep you guys posted about what they tell me!
And for you guys ordering Conti tires from overseas, I talked to the distributor in Canada this morning. Both the Twister SS and Explorer SS will be available in Canada this year! Save your $$ on shipping and find a bike shop who will ship you some from Canada(sorry can't help there!, but If you're really desperate I could ship you some).
Nino, let us know how that Twister holds up with the latex solution!
Luego!
CODMAN MCM#101 |
| Thanks for the info! (nm) | AZ-X
Mar 25, 2002 12:27 PM | | |
| I was on the front row to test them last spring | Cloxxki
Mar 25, 2002 11:50 AM | | 330-335g each. BLoody fast, more grip than you'd expect, all of course from the soft soft soft compound and thin thin suptle carcass. I punctured them all them tire, especially in (hardpack) races. Always tiny cuts. Last time I rode one (rear) was in June or thereabouts. I flatted the rear on a very steep and explosive 25s hardpack climb. The Tufo Sealent in the Turbo tube wasn't enough to instantly seal the hole.
Since then I have taken my hands away from using them, they just helped to grow my tire pile in the bike room (a bit). I don't even trust them with latex tubeless, although that would probably be the fastest combo ever.
The beads are SO minimalistic, that it's hard to properly seat it. I can't get it to stop wobbling on the rim. I dislike wobbling tires, although I would never really notice. Just seems like a bad sign.
Some people like the SS so much they buy replacement pairs. They know they'll flat them, but simply go for the speed, and gamble staying puncture free for the duration of a race. |
| They MIGHT be available in canada... | DeeEight
Mar 25, 2002 3:35 PM | | a guy I ride with says he's seen some conti supersonics on his friend's race bike. Now the guy in question is friends with SS_MB7 so ummm... Mike, is karl talking about you? |
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