Haven't ridden those since i had 26" wheels! Was a XC weight weenie then and when i went 29 I went Schwalbe as they were lighter! More trail than XC these days so weight not so important but still stuck on Schwalbe. Nobby Nic 2.25/Magic Mary 2.25 winter and Wicked Will 2.4/Nobby Nic 2.4 summer and happy with that on a Cotic Flaremax!
When turning an xc bike to a short travel trail bike, this worked perfectly and outlasted several other brands. Have to admit it's a bit hard to get used to something else. Price is stupid, but there we go.. Thanks for the straightforward review, as always.
Still, gotta hand it to Continental for still making these in 26". Good to see that there are still quality options for people with retro bikes in their collections.
Have you ever tried any Kenda tires? Currently running the Regolith on front and the Booster pro on the rear. They really feel fairly fast. I tried the TR compound on the front but it leaked through the sidewall horrible. The SCT hold air fantastic. They also have a newer Karma 2 I would like to try.
I run conti X-king and mountain king combo. They’re about 5 few years old now..the black chilli version 29 x 2.4 tubeless …I use them for bikepacking and general wilderness trail riding, nothing too frantic, however I love em and what’s more 2.4’s are now the optimum size so I’ve obviously been ahead of the game 😮
I am glad you didn't slate these tyres as I fitted them to my new 29er HT last year. I've got the 2.2 version but I was deliberately looking for a 'gravel' tyre rather than anything more technical. I've not done many miles so far but they are an improvement on the Maxxis Ardents the bike came with. They roll nicely on tarmac & (so far) are more puncture proof too.
Has anyone else got experience with the shieldwall (puregrip compound) versions of Conti tyres. I'm after a new winter 650b (27.5) tyre to replace aging WTB Sendero's on my gravel bike which has clearance for up to 50mm (2.0). Conti only sell pure grip variants in that size. I've been using a puregrip RaceKing as a summer tyre and from a rolling resistance point of view it's been ok in dry conditions.
A great tyre back in the day. Replaced it (front) with a Ron, which I hated. Then crossmax 2 which was dreadful but didn't puncture once. Barzo/mezcal now and very happy.
Got the brown Protection ones on my XC/downcounty (eeew) bike. In a 2.1, paid about 40 quid off BikeInn Very impressive tyre in all conditions, had them on about 6 months now and rode on a huge range of surfaces, very predictable tyre. Even on the road at 45psi they are excellent. Only issue I had is the wetest rootiest conditions where they give up a bit. I'm 14 stone and ride quite hard, I've destroyed one of them, put a big buldge in it running the pressure too low at about 18psi. Now running a light vittoria insert in the rear.
Everyone on forums talked about these tires as if they were the holy grail so i bought two in black chili compound and they ended up being lackluster in every aspect. For a light mtb tire they roll slow and the grip seemed on one minute and suddenly off the next.
I'm running these on my xc bike this winter. I have to admit that I haven't put crazy mileage on them, but so far my impression is that they are just average at everything, a good all rounder but not exceptional at anything. I may have to get some Racekings on in Spring after your review.
@@Sinc28-95 I think you’ve summed it really well there. Not exceptional, just consistently good. Race King on the back will give you an extra gear straight away
Did you ever try the Ruban? There is sadly no black chili version but still feels super good. the 2.3 measures 60.5mm on my hunt proven 30 id rims and the 2.1 56mm. Thes also come in different size knobs for the 2.1 and 2.3 version. I really hope conti updates these to a real xc tire (there were pictures around that pidcock and pfp rode them in prototipe versions 2 years ago)
The Mountain King Cross King combo saw me good for years across the UK, Rockies and Alps. Still have a massive soft spot for this tyre. Oh and by the way...what the heck is wrong with working for PR firms?! ahem! :)
How does it compare to Barzo? They have really similar thread pattern. I run 2.3 in the front, 2.2 in the back. Grip is good! But both are shieldwall. Cheaper, but pretty heavy unfortunately.
So what’s the best XC tire combo?? Mezcal / Peyote Barzo / Mezcal Race king / cross king Racing Ray / Racing Ralph Racing Ralph / Thunderburts Or other?
Used the Cross King for several months. It was, unfortunately, their Shield Wall version. I had no idea it was different. It was easily the worst MTB tire I've ever used in over 30 years of riding. Zero grip in any condition (dry, wet, mixed, loose, firm etc.) and pressure (low of 15psi - 28psi). They had a completely unpredictable breakaway and impossible to get comfortable with. I had absolutely zero confidence in the tires to hookup in any situation. It wouldn't wear at all though, so probably would last FOREVER and does come in a 2.4 width. But that makes it worse LOL. Evidently Conti has a "Protection" version which uses one of the Black Chili compounds. Just be cautious when purchasing the Cross King. Do NOT buy the Shield Wall version under any circumstance.
Sound is better with the new mic.
I stumbled across your channel when looking for info on the Top Fuel and I’m loving the content.
@@seanhine6929 cheers Sean, stoked you’re enjoying it.
Haven't ridden those since i had 26" wheels!
Was a XC weight weenie then and when i went 29 I went Schwalbe as they were lighter!
More trail than XC these days so weight not so important but still stuck on Schwalbe.
Nobby Nic 2.25/Magic Mary 2.25 winter and Wicked Will 2.4/Nobby Nic 2.4 summer and happy with that on a Cotic Flaremax!
When turning an xc bike to a short travel trail bike, this worked perfectly and outlasted several other brands. Have to admit it's a bit hard to get used to something else. Price is stupid, but there we go..
Thanks for the straightforward review, as always.
@@yoavmiller216 thanks for the straightforward feedback mate, as always 🤣👍🏻
Still, gotta hand it to Continental for still making these in 26". Good to see that there are still quality options for people with retro bikes in their collections.
The Germans are really good at this TBF. Lots of Schwalbe options too
I run 26" Cross-King(front)/Race-King(rear) on my 2 year old DJ bike so its not just retro bikes that need 26" stuff.
Thanks for this, got an old gt hardtail I’m fixing up and was thinking of tyre choices for it
On my third set of these in the sheildwall version. I love em
@@elektrikmaus that’s great to hear. The Shieldwall seem tougher right?
@ worn out the tread , but never damaged the tyre otherwise. Mind you , I’m not super hard on tyres
Have you ever tried any Kenda tires? Currently running the Regolith on front and the Booster pro on the rear. They really feel fairly fast. I tried the TR compound on the front but it leaked through the sidewall horrible. The SCT hold air fantastic. They also have a newer Karma 2 I would like to try.
I run conti X-king and mountain king combo. They’re about 5 few years old now..the black chilli version 29 x 2.4 tubeless …I use them for bikepacking and general wilderness trail riding, nothing too frantic, however I love em and what’s more 2.4’s are now the optimum size so I’ve obviously been ahead of the game 😮
I am glad you didn't slate these tyres as I fitted them to my new 29er HT last year. I've got the 2.2 version but I was deliberately looking for a 'gravel' tyre rather than anything more technical. I've not done many miles so far but they are an improvement on the Maxxis Ardents the bike came with. They roll nicely on tarmac & (so far) are more puncture proof too.
@@HughDWallace as I say if you don’t need width and you don’t pay full price they’re a really decent tyre.
Has anyone else got experience with the shieldwall (puregrip compound) versions of Conti tyres. I'm after a new winter 650b (27.5) tyre to replace aging WTB Sendero's on my gravel bike which has clearance for up to 50mm (2.0). Conti only sell pure grip variants in that size.
I've been using a puregrip RaceKing as a summer tyre and from a rolling resistance point of view it's been ok in dry conditions.
A great tyre back in the day. Replaced it (front) with a Ron, which I hated. Then crossmax 2 which was dreadful but didn't puncture once. Barzo/mezcal now and very happy.
@@edmundhodgson2572 thanks for helping the conversation chief 👍🏻
Got the brown Protection ones on my XC/downcounty (eeew) bike. In a 2.1, paid about 40 quid off BikeInn
Very impressive tyre in all conditions, had them on about 6 months now and rode on a huge range of surfaces, very predictable tyre. Even on the road at 45psi they are excellent. Only issue I had is the wetest rootiest conditions where they give up a bit.
I'm 14 stone and ride quite hard, I've destroyed one of them, put a big buldge in it running the pressure too low at about 18psi. Now running a light vittoria insert in the rear.
New mic!!!!!!!
@@TheRickysee thought you’d be pleased 🤣 What do you reckon?
My Cross King 2.3's come up closer to a 2.4, they're definitely a lot wider than the race king 2.2. Great tyre 😁
That's interesting. What version? Protection? and what rim?
@GuyKesTV I have the protection black chilli compound on a 30mm internal dia reynolds rim. I've just measured with my vernier and it measures 59mm.
The 2.2 cross king is almost identical in width to the race king 2.2.
@@lukeeggar4467 Thanks for taking the trouble and letting everyone know. What pressure are you running?
@@GuyKesTV 23 front 25 back
Everyone on forums talked about these tires as if they were the holy grail so i bought two in black chili compound and they ended up being lackluster in every aspect. For a light mtb tire they roll slow and the grip seemed on one minute and suddenly off the next.
I'm running these on my xc bike this winter. I have to admit that I haven't put crazy mileage on them, but so far my impression is that they are just average at everything, a good all rounder but not exceptional at anything. I may have to get some Racekings on in Spring after your review.
@@Sinc28-95 I think you’ve summed it really well there. Not exceptional, just consistently good. Race King on the back will give you an extra gear straight away
How does this tire compare to the Vittoria Barzo?
Wow a tyre I had issues with years ago. Tried to fit them on a mavic ust rim and it just wouldn’t fit, even broke some pedros tyre levers doing it
@@woduk they used to be ridiculously hard to fit. And then still leak 🤷♂️
Did you ever try the Ruban? There is sadly no black chili version but still feels super good. the 2.3 measures 60.5mm on my hunt proven 30 id rims and the 2.1 56mm. Thes also come in different size knobs for the 2.1 and 2.3 version. I really hope conti updates these to a real xc tire (there were pictures around that pidcock and pfp rode them in prototipe versions 2 years ago)
The Mountain King Cross King combo saw me good for years across the UK, Rockies and Alps. Still have a massive soft spot for this tyre. Oh and by the way...what the heck is wrong with working for PR firms?! ahem! :)
First ! and I ride a Cotic , lucky me
@@richardokeefe2792 double win!
What would you pair with the Specalized fast track?
"Liked them on my hardtail so much I bought them for the gravel bike" Viktor Kiam
@@andymarshall8420 now there’s a blast from the past 🤣 #remington
How does it compare to Barzo? They have really similar thread pattern.
I run 2.3 in the front, 2.2 in the back. Grip is good! But both are shieldwall. Cheaper, but pretty heavy unfortunately.
So what’s the best XC tire combo??
Mezcal / Peyote
Barzo / Mezcal
Race king / cross king
Racing Ray / Racing Ralph
Racing Ralph / Thunderburts
Or other?
@@samd6405 I’d say Ron / Ralph, but I’m loving the new Rick too. Although you can’t beat Spesh for value
@@GuyKesTVdid I miss the Rick video review? Will need to check that out.
Hardpack with some loose over hardpack is my local terrain.
@ no I only got them a couple of weeks ago and it’s snow and ice here ATMO so the video will be a while
@@samd6405SabrePro rear. Rocket Ron front.
@@GuyKesTV do you have the black or tan wall variants? Be curious to see which compound is really better. Speed grip (black) vs Speed (tan wall).
Used the Cross King for several months. It was, unfortunately, their Shield Wall version. I had no idea it was different. It was easily the worst MTB tire I've ever used in over 30 years of riding. Zero grip in any condition (dry, wet, mixed, loose, firm etc.) and pressure (low of 15psi - 28psi). They had a completely unpredictable breakaway and impossible to get comfortable with. I had absolutely zero confidence in the tires to hookup in any situation. It wouldn't wear at all though, so probably would last FOREVER and does come in a 2.4 width. But that makes it worse LOL. Evidently Conti has a "Protection" version which uses one of the Black Chili compounds. Just be cautious when purchasing the Cross King. Do NOT buy the Shield Wall version under any circumstance.
Maybe the 2.6 measures up as 2.4 ?
@@Andy-co6pn that’s a good point but unfortunately the 29 x 2.6 only comes in the cheaper Shieldwall version and weighs a kilo 😬