MTB Tire Guide

Continental Cross King vs Specialized S-Works Fast Trak

Short answer: Rolling resistance: Specialized S-Works Fast Trak leads with 26.6 W, Continental Cross King trails by 1.8 W.

Configure your build

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

Continental Cross King

Tire width
Wheel size
27.5" wheel
29" wheel
Pressure (context)
Measured point

Specialized S-Works Fast Trak

Tire width
29" wheel
Compound
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.

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

Specialized S-Works Fast Trak: 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.

Size, weight and casing

Continental Cross KingSpecialized S-Works Fast Trak
Width2" · 2.2" · 2.3" · 2.6" · 2.8" (50 · 55 · 58 · 65 · 70 mm)2.35" (60 mm)
Wheel sizes27.5" · 29"29" · 27.5"
Weight745 g628 g
CasingProtection2Bliss Ready
CasingTrail–
TPI––
Tread typeIntermediateIntermediate
Tubeless readyyesyes
E-MTB approvalnono
Price from€41€64
Model year20212022

Rubber compounds

Hardness scale 1 = hard and fast to 5 = very soft and grippy (our own classification).

Continental Cross King

Grip class: Speed-Grip

Specialized S-Works Fast Trak

Grip class: Speed-Grip · Balanced

Both tires sit in the same grip class – the watt comparison is fair.

Specialized S-Works Fast Trak offers the softer compound range – more grip, usually at the cost of wear.

Lab data per version

Continental Cross KingSpecialized S-Works Fast Trak
Rolling resistance (W)28.4 W
26.6 W
Wet grip measurement (points)64.0 points
64.0 points
Weighed weight (g)745.0 g
628.0 g

Continental Cross King

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

Specialized S-Works Fast Trak

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: 26.6 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
  • 30.1 W at 24 psi (1.65 bar) · +2.4 W
    Wet grip (lab)
    64
    Puncture
    –
    Weight
    628 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.

Three curves at most – hide one first.

Variants head to head

Every measured variant of the selected tires – the same model in another compound, width or casing sits right next to it. Empty fields mean no reliable measurement.

Continental Cross KingCross King Protection 2.224.5 W
–615 g
Continental Cross KingCross King Protection 2.328.4 W
–745 g
Specialized S-Works Fast TrakS-Works Fast Trak 2BR T5/T7 2.3526.6 W
–628 g

Charts

Rolling resistance (fewer watts is better)

Impact protection (higher is better)

No values are available for this selection.

Editorial rating (higher is better)

TestedYour build – derived

Recommendation by use

  • Fast laps and long climbs: Specialized S-Works Fast Trak rolls easier at 26.6 W.

Tested

  • Rolling resistance: Specialized S-Works Fast Trak leads with 26.6 W, Continental Cross King trails by 1.8 W.
  • Wet grip measurement: Continental Cross King leads with 64 points, Specialized S-Works Fast Trak trails by 0 points.
  • Weighed weight: Specialized S-Works Fast Trak leads with 628 g, Continental Cross King trails by 117 g.

Tests and sources

Specialized S-Works Fast Trak

  • The revised S-Works Fast Trak was tested alongside the new Air Trak as a fast XC duo. The modernized tread offers more cornering grip than its predecessor without sacrificing low rolling resistance. This makes it a serious all-rounder for the rear wheel of racers.

    MTB-News.de

More head-to-heads