MTB Tire Guide

Continental Cross King vs Vittoria Barzo XC Race

Short answer: Rolling resistance: Vittoria Barzo XC Race leads with 24.7 W, Continental Cross King trails by 3.7 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

Vittoria Barzo XC Race

Tire width
Wheel size
27.5" wheel
29" wheel
Casing
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.

Vittoria Barzo XC Race: 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 KingVittoria Barzo XC Race
Width2" · 2.2" · 2.3" · 2.6" · 2.8" (50 · 55 · 58 · 65 · 70 mm)2.4" (61 mm)
Wheel sizes27.5" · 29"29" · 27.5"
Weight745 g747 g
CasingProtectionXC Race
CasingTrailLight · Trail
TPI––
Tread typeIntermediateIntermediate
Tubeless readyyesyes
E-MTB approvalnono
Price from€41€59
Model year20212025

Rubber compounds

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

Continental Cross King

Grip class: Speed-Grip

Vittoria Barzo XC Race

Grip class: Balanced

Different grip classes: the softer tire must roll slower. Read the watts with that in mind.

Vittoria Barzo XC Race offers the softer compound range – more grip, usually at the cost of wear.

Lab data per version

Continental Cross KingVittoria Barzo XC Race
Rolling resistance (W)28.4 W
24.7 W
Wet grip measurement (points)64.0 points
67.0 points
Weighed weight (g)745.0 g
747.0 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

Vittoria Barzo XC Race

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: 24.7 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
  • 27.9 W at 24 psi (1.65 bar) · +0.2 W
    Wet grip (lab)
    67
    Puncture
    –
    Weight
    747 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
Vittoria Barzo XC RaceBarzo XC Race 2.424.7 W
–747 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: Vittoria Barzo XC Race rolls easier at 24.7 W.
  • Wet roots and slippery ground: Vittoria Barzo XC Race has the better wet grip.

Tested

  • Rolling resistance: Vittoria Barzo XC Race leads with 24.7 W, Continental Cross King trails by 3.7 W.
  • Wet grip measurement: Vittoria Barzo XC Race leads with 67 points, Continental Cross King trails by 3 points.
  • Weighed weight: Continental Cross King leads with 745 g, Vittoria Barzo XC Race trails by 2 g.

Tests and sources

Vittoria Barzo XC Race

  • In Bicycle Rolling Resistance's lab test, the Barzo XC Race measures 24.7 watts of rolling resistance, 34 points for puncture protection and 67 points for wet grip. Overall score 4.0 out of 5 ("Recommended") as an all-rounder without specific demands.

    Bicycle Rolling Resistance
  • BikeRadar tests the Barzo TNT as an aggressive XC tire with good support and grip in most conditions. It works best up front paired with a faster-rolling rear tire; on very dry trails it is almost overkill.

    BikeRadar
  • The Vittoria Barzo was tested alongside the Mota in trail and enduro use. As the lighter, faster-rolling of the two tires, it suits XC and marathon-oriented riders particularly well. Grip remains convincing on dry terrain.

    MTB-News.de
  • Pinkbike positions the Barzo for technical XC terrain rather than as a pure lightweight race tire. The continuous center ridge keeps rolling speed up despite the open tread, and the sturdy TNT casing mounts tubeless without fuss.

    Pinkbike

More head-to-heads