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Continental Cross King Tire - 29in for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

8.7
out of 10
3 Positive, 0 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 3 Reviews
Retail Price:
$48.99
Used Value:
$29.39
Sale Value:
$44.09
Features & Specs 3 Reviews

You've scrutinized every last detail on your feathery-light 29er for an upcoming XC race, so you can hopefully land atop the podium. Give yourself an advantage in rolling speed, but without compromising much in the way of grip on smooth-buffed courses with the Continental Cross King 29in Tire.

This fast-rolling tire is primarily intended for cross-country riding and racing scenarios, yet it's also a great choice for many trail riders seeking a rear tire that's quick to accelerate out of corners and rolls with minimal resistance over smoother terrain. In these trail riding scenarios, many riders choose to pair a Cross King tire in the rear with a burlier Mountain or Trail King up front for a bit more traction and support across the rough stuff.

The Cross King enjoys the tacky grip and minimal rolling resistance afforded by its BlackChili compound, which balances high levels of traction with fast-rolling speed—making it an ideal compound for cross-country racing and trail usage as a rear tire. It's reinforced from slits and punctures with Continental's Protection layer, giving you peace of mind while riding hard and fast across rugged terrain, such as rocks and roots. Additionally, it's tubeless-ready, so you can significantly lower tire pressures to gain higher levels of traction and bump-smoothing support.

Specifications

Brand:
Continental
Bead:
folding
Claimed Weight:
[29 x 2.2 in] 640 g, [29 x 2.3 in] 745 g
Compound:
BlackChili
Manufacturer Warranty:
limited
Protection:
Protection layer
Recommended Use:
cross-country, trail
Size:
29 x 2.2 in, 29 x 2.3 in
TPI:
4 plies/240 tpi
Type:
tubeless-ready clincher

Full Reviews

10
Years ago, I got the 26" X-King, which is a similar tread, for my 125 pound intermediate wife. She tore those tires up within ten miles or so. I decided to give them another try, in the reincarnated Cross King version, 29x2.3 and they have definitely solved the durability problem! 750 grams, 2.28" carcass width at sub 20 psi and knobs slightly wider. If you like the Rocket Ron or the Rekon, you'll like these. They roll fast and hook up well. I've only tried them on the back, but they work well on the mellower XC type trails on the Wasatch Back. I decided I needed a little more traction, so I went to a Mountain King on the back, and wrote a review on those, but if you don't need more rear wheel traction than a Rekon, for example, these are 5 star. BTW, I did not notice the stiff sidewalls described and in fact, found them supple. Similar to a 29x2.35 Nobby Nic, or Rekon, in fact, but grippier than the Rekon.
Nawrocki, backcountry.com
August 25, 2020
8
This upgrade to the X-Kings makes the new tire super durable. I can ride pretty low psi with these bad boys because they are so tough. The downside is that they are tough and you'll notice it in the ride quality. Small bump compliance takes a serious hit with these tires on since the sidewalls are so stiff. They still have an amazing tread design though and they roll fast but still grip up. I think this tread patter is one of the best overall out there. I'd still be running these tires if it wasn't for the stiffness. After riding for 3 or 4 hours with these, my arms and hands physically hurt because of all the vibration. Compared to the old versions (X-Kings) they are identical with regards to rolling speed and grip. The 2 main differences are: 1. The sidewalls no longer leak sealant (yay!) and 2. these new ones have super stiff sidewalls.
UtahBiker, backcountry.com
July 3, 2019
8
Anyone who has ridden a lot of XC knows the Cross King is one of the best all-round XC tires. It rolls very well, corners super well, and offers great stopping power under braking. This is a 5 star tread design and rivals other impressive tires like the Maxxis Ardent. Unfortunately, I give this tire a 4 star rating because of the lack of casing options. The current casing is great for most riders but it would be nice to see Continental offer an even lighter-weight casing as well as a more durable Apex option. After 3 rides I put a hole in the tire and had to plug it. Besides the lack of casing options I really believe that Continental has one of the best tread designs on the market. It offers tons of traction and rolls super well. If you are looking for a fast rolling tire and you don't ride rocky terrain then this tire is worth serious consideration.
Dan Be, backcountry.com
June 24, 2018

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