MTB Tire Guide
Continental Cross King MTB tire (XC, 29")

Image: manufacturer · Source

Continental

Cross King

XC
Front+Rear
Intermediate
Tubeless ready
Short answer:

Tested

Weaker in comparison

28.4 W · rank 17 of 20 comparable XC tires

11.7 W behind the best value in the same test series. Fewer watts is better – every watt saved stays in the drivetrain.

Allrounder für XC und leichte Trails mit ausgewogenem Profil.

Weight
745 g
Variant
–
Compound
BlackChili
Grip class
Speed-Grip
Casing
Protection
TPI
–
Reinforcement
–
Wheel sizes
27.5", 29"
Widths
2", 2.2", 2.3", 2.6", 2.8"
Front pressure
20–26 psi (1.38–1.79 bar)
Rear pressure
22–28 psi (1.52–1.93 bar)
Price (MSRP)
41–46 €
Model year
2021
Calculate pressure for this tire View lab test

Configure your build

Width, casing, compound and pressure – every value on this page follows your pick.

Tire width
Wheel size
27.5" wheel
29" wheel
Pressure (context)
Measured point
Measured value available
How we calculate

Width, casing and compound decide how a tire really rides. We only show what was actually measured – and label estimates honestly.

Reference: recommended pressure 24 psi (1.65 bar) – an assumption, not a test pressure.

More pressure: less rolling resistance, less grip, less comfort. Tougher casing: more protection, more weight. Softer compound: more grip, more rolling resistance.

Modelled values are assumptions based on the stated measurement points – not a lab test.

Rating profile

3 of 8 criteria rated

Editorial assessment on a 1–10 scale. Grip index: 5.7

Change build

TestedYour build – derived

These grades describe the tire model, not one specific width or compound – no reliable per-version grades exist.

Individual scores

  • Rolling resistance5.3/10
  • Wet grip5.7/10
  • Puncture protection5.1/10

No data

  • Dry grip
  • Cornering grip
  • Braking traction
  • Durability
  • Comfort/damping

Scores from 1 to 10: higher is better.

Differences between builds

  • 2.2" · ShieldWall · PureGrip → 2.3" · ShieldWall · PureGrip Rolling resistance +3.9 W · Weight +130 g

Sizes & variants

Every variant the manufacturer lists, with its own claimed data. Missing values stay blank.

9 variants
27.5"2" · 50 mmShieldWall(Trail)PureGrip670 gE-25€41
27.5"2.2" · 55 mmShieldWall(Trail)PureGrip740 gE-25€41
27.5"2.3" · 58 mmShieldWall(Trail)PureGrip775 gE-25€41
27.5"2.6" · 65 mmShieldWall(Trail)PureGrip920 gE-25€46
27.5"2.8" · 70 mmShieldWall(Trail)PureGrip1045 gE-25€46
29"2" · 50 mmShieldWall(Trail)PureGrip710 gE-25€41
29"2.2" · 55 mmShieldWall(Trail)PureGrip745 gE-25€41
29"2.3" · 58 mmShieldWall(Trail)PureGrip795 gE-25€41
29"2.6" · 65 mmShieldWall(Trail)PureGrip1000 gE-25€46

The value in brackets is our brand-neutral casing class (Light, Trail, Enduro, Downhill) – not a manufacturer statement.

Source: manufacturer data

Measured values

Lab data

Real test-rig values – not an estimate. Tested variant: Cross King Protection 2.3 (gemessene Variante).

Watts measured on the test rig: lower is better. The 1-10 ratings on this page: higher is better.

No lab of our own: measurements come from the third-party test named above – the source is linked directly.

Rolling resistancemeasured at 28 psi (1.93 bar)
28.4 W

Rank 17 of 20 · lower is better

Impact protection tread
37 points
Wet grip measurementHard surface, not off-road
64 points

Rank 12 of 20 · higher is better

Tread rubber thickness
2.2 mm
Weighed weight
745 g

Rank 14 of 20 · lower is better

Measured widthon a 17.8 mm rim
55 mm
Source: Bicycle Rolling Resistance · January 2026To the test

All tested versions

Test series: Bicycle Rolling Resistance – MTB-Messreihe

Measured values per compound and casing from the same laboratory test. Empty cells mean no reliable value was published.

Cross King Protection 2.229 x 2.2024.5 W
66
32
–52 mm615 g
–
Cross King Protection 2.329 x 2.3028.4 W
64
37
–55 mm745 g
–

Wet grip is measured in the lab on a hard wet surface – it is not off-road grip.

Rolling resistance

lower is better

  • Cross King Protection 2.224.5 W
  • Cross King Protection 2.328.4 W

Compounds & versions as curves

Up to three versions at once: the curve is modelled rolling resistance across pressure, the dot is the real lab measurement. Click the legend to show or hide a version.

16.831.546.160.875.4121927344249Pressure (psi)WBicycle Rolling Resistance: 24.5 W at 28 psi (1.93 bar) (measured)Bicycle Rolling Resistance: 28.4 W at 28 psi (1.93 bar) (measured)
  • 27.7 W at 24 psi (1.65 bar) · Reference
    Wet grip (lab)
    64
    Puncture
    –
    Weight
    615 g
  • 32.1 W at 24 psi (1.65 bar) · +4.4 W
    Wet grip (lab)
    64
    Puncture
    –
    Weight
    745 g

The curve shape is a physics model, not a measurement. Labs do not measure grip across pressure – we do not invent that curve. Wet grip is a lab value per tire model, not per version.

Hardness steps are our classification based on manufacturer information. All numbers come from lab tests; sources are linked on the tire pages. All information without warranty.

Automatic assessment

Tested: Calculated from the stored measurements – compared only within the same test series and category (XC).

  • Rolling resistance

    Weaker in comparison

    28.4 W · rank 17 of 20 comparable XC tires

    11.7 W behind the best value in the same test series. Fewer watts is better – every watt saved stays in the drivetrain.

  • Wet grip measurement

    Mid-field

    64 points · rank 12 of 20 comparable XC tires

    8 points behind the best value in the same test series. More points means more compound grip on smooth surfaces.

  • Weighed weight

    Weaker in comparison

    745 g · rank 14 of 20 comparable XC tires

    153 g behind the best value in the same test series. Fewer grams is better, but usually costs casing stability.

Measurements from different test rigs are not directly comparable – Sources & method.

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