MTB Tire Test: Continental Race King RaceSport Tubeless
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 17.4 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 29 Points
- Static Wet Grip: No Data
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Continental Race King RaceSport Tubeless
This review is a comparison between a traditional butyl inner tube and a tubeless mountain bike set up, which is something I always wanted to know. I have chosen the Continental Race King RaceSport 29 x 2.2 for this test because it proved to be the fastest of the three mountain bike tires I had the chance to test up to now. I'm going to assume the difference shown in this review will be the same for every other tire out there (a 29 x 2.2/2.25 at least). So you can use this as a reference to calculate the rolling resistance of a tire when mounted tubeless.
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As a reference, this review has now been superseded by a much more detailed special article which also includes a latex tube and measurements at 15 psi / 1.0 bar. I highly recommend you to read the special article instead of this short review.
During normal testing, I use a standard Continental 29er butyl inner tube with a weight of 225 grams. For this test, I mounted the tire with tubeless rim tape and 60 ml Stan's NoTubes tubeless sealant to seal it. Even though this tire is not rated Tubeless-Ready, it was no problem to get it inflated (with a compressor), although it did take 3 days to completely seal. I've been using a Race King RaceSport with 60 ml sealant on my own bike for some time already. With this set up there is a 150 grams weight advantage for the tubeless tire.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Continental |
| Model | Race King RaceSport Tubeless |
| Year | 2014 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | 0100545 |
| TPI | 3/180 |
| Compound | Black Chili |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 57-622 |
| Size Inch | 29" |
| Width Inch | 2.20 |
| Specified Weight | 540 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 65 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
29x2.20 29x2.00 27.5x2.20 26x2.20 26x2.00 |
Continental Race King RaceSport Tubeless Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 540 grams |
| Measured Weight | 497 grams |
| Measured Width Carcass | 55 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Width Tread | 51 mm |
| Measured Height | 55 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.5 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 2.5 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) | 1.7 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
No difference, same as with inner tube.
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | None (60 ml sealant) |
| Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar |
16.2 Watts CRR: 0.00486 |
| Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar |
17.4 Watts CRR: 0.00522 |
| All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load. |
|
When comparing the exact same tires, with the only difference being a tubeless set up or a butyl inner tube.
- At 55 psi/3.8 bar, the tubeless set up has 2.5 watts less rolling resistance
- At 45 psi/3.1 bar, the tubeless set up has 2.9 watts less rolling resistance
- At 35 psi/2.4 bar, the tubeless set up has 3.8 watts less rolling resistance
- At 25 psi/1.7 bar, the tubeless set up has 5.0 watts less rolling resistance
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 29 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 7 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 1.7 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
No difference, same as with inner tube.
Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | No Data |
| Wet Grip Center | No Data |
| Wet Grip Edge | No Data |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.5 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 2.5 mm |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 MTB grip test rim width = 30.0 mm |
|
| Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info) | |
Conclusion
- Continental Race King RaceSport Tubeless
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
The lower the pressure, the bigger the advantage for the tubeless mountain bike tire. At a pressure of 55 psi, there is a 2.5 watts advantage for the tubeless tire. Dropping pressure to 25 psi results in a 5 watts per tire advantage for the tubeless tire. When going off road you want low air pressure tires for increased grip, comfort, power efficiency and lower surface rolling resistance. With a drop off in tire rolling resistance of just 1.9 watts between a high pressure of 55 psi and a low pressure of 25 psi, this is certainly true for this tubeless mounted Race King.
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RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended