Continental Attack/Force £29.95 each, £54.95 as pair

Continental started the trend for front- and rear- specific road clincher tyres with the Force and Attack models several years ago. The theory is simple enough; the front tyre is less likely to puncture, supports less weight, wears more slowly and needs to be more aerodynamic than the rear. Therefore, it can be made with a lighter, thinner and less durable tread, a narrower profile to cut frontal area and a carcass less resistance to cuts and penetration.

Conversely, the rear tyre can be made more sturdy than would be the case if it were designed for both front and rear use. Known as Tyre Positioning System, the concept has found favour for events as different as time trialling and cyclosportives.

Shown for the first time at Eurobike, the latest version of the TPS pairing retains the Attack/Force nomenclature and gets Conti’s now-proven Black Chili tread compound. This in turn wears a new, angular tread pattern in place of the swooping sipes seen on its predecessor. Tread colour is now black only front and rear.

The carcass of both tyres gets a single Vectran puncture protection breaker strip in place of the single front and double rear polyamide breakers seen previously. Vectran is tougher and more cut resistant than Kevlar and has been proven in the GP4000 clincher and Competition tubular. The Attack front tyre stays at 190g with a lightweight three-layer carcass. The Force force still weighs 210g despite an increase in section to an interesting 24mm thanks to the loss of one breaker belt. The new, fatter section affords the intriguing prospect of running the Force on both wheels for a fast, supple ride on rougher cyclosportive going.

Suggested Retail Price for the tyres is £29.95 each if bought separately. However, they are designed to be used as a pair and, when bought as a set, are priced at £54.95.