(Hannover, 13th September, 2001). What do cats paws and bullet-proof vests have to do with bicycle tyres? They inspired Continental's tyre experts during the development of their Contact city and trekking tyres. All appropriate and applicable findings made by Conti's research departments in the bicycle, car, truck and industrial tyre divisions have been incorporated. Numerous technical innovations have been built into the black tyres: even more effective resistance to punctures, an innovative catlike tread pattern with an optimised tread compound, and the extremely durable casing.

"With Contact, our new leader in the city and trekking sector, we're way ahead of all our competitors", says a confident Wolf vorm Walde, product manager in Continental's bicycle tyre unit. And it's not simply by chance that the new tyre bears the same name as the successful car tyre range from the same company. A major customer survey was conducted at the start of the new development. When asked about their preferences, endusers named puncture-resistance, long life and smooth rolling characteristics in that order as the desired features.

Puncture protection thanks to the SafetySystem

In the Contact tyre, designers have succeeded in developing reliable puncture-proofness which has only minor influence on the rolling resistance. Optimum resistance to punctures and perfect smooth-running properties would normally offset one another. The SafetySystem ideally combines both requirements.

Firm nylon fabric forms the basis of the puncture-proof ply. Nylon is a proven material for this protective breaker. It is resistant to cuts and, once it is woven into a fabric, thorns and pointed stones have virtually no chance of penetrating down to the tube. In addition, ultra-tear-resistant kevlar fibers are worked into the nylon breaker and close up the finest meshes in the fabric. Kevlar is otherwise used for bullet-proof vests, among other things. This combination of the two materials gives an extremly sturdy, and yet lightweight, puncture-protection ply. Maximum protection from puntures with minimum rolling resistance is the result.

For a long tyre life

A robust sidewall rubber coating makes the tyre extremely hard-wearing. It clads the sensitive casing on the outside like a second skin and protects it from damage and adverse effects of weathering. This rubber wall contributes to the tyre's long service life. The casing consists of fine, flexible material which is important to ensure a noticeable improvement in the ride comfort. Advances have also been made on the tyre's tread. Silica, the mineral, has been added to the rubber com-pound. This makes the tyre grip much better and run more smoothly without wearing faster.

Catlike tread

Conti's researchers learn from nature. Cats paws were the source of decisive input during the design of the Contact tyre's design. The continuous centre band makes sure that the Contact tyre performs quietly, smoothly and comfortably on asphalt. On unpaved tracks, the shoulder blocks, which become finer towards the edges of the tyre, adapt them-selves to the looser surface. The sipes claw into the ground, providing greater safety, above all, when cornering on dirt tracks.

The recommended retail price is 17.50, or 19.50 for the version with reflector strips. Contact is available in the following sizes: 47-559 (26 x 1.75), 32-622 (28 x 1¼ x 1¾ ), 37-622 (28 x 1 3/8 x 1 5/8), 42-622 (28 x 1.6) und 47-622 (28 x 1.75).

Continental is a leading supplier of brake systems, chassis components and tyres. In 2000, consolidated sales totalled 10.1 billion, with a workforce of 64,000 employees world-wide.