MTB Tire Test: Continental Cross King Protection 29x2.2
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 24.5 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 32 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 66 Points
- Conclusion: 3.3 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Continental Cross King Protection 29x2.2
NOTE: We added hard surface wet grip test data on 2023-6-9. The rating of the Continental Cross King Protection 29x2.2 has been upgraded by 0.3 points because of very good results in the hard surface wet grip test.
The Continental Cross King replaces the X-King as Conti's most versatile mountain bike tire. Although the name has changed from X-King to Cross King, the tread pattern appears to be unchanged. Continental did change the casings which is most obvious when comparing the Protection models as they dropped the 4/240 casing that offered bead to bead protection. The Protection models now use the lighter 3/180 RaceSport casing with additional sidewall protection and tubeless-ready beads.
Ad Buy Continental Cross King Protection 29x2.2 at Amazon.com
Many people use the X-King/Cross King as a front tire with a Speed King or Race King on the rear. Although the Race King (read review) and Cross King look very similar and both use the same casing design and Conti's Black Chili compound, we've found a big difference in the rolling resistance tests between these tires. We're now convinced the Cross King uses a slower version of the Black Chili compound that is optimized more towards grip.
This may not necessarily be a bad thing but we feel it's good to have as much information as possible when buying tires. To learn more about the differences between the Race King and Cross King, you can compare the Protection models side by side.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Continental |
| Model | Cross King Protection 29x2.2 |
| Year | 2020 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | 0101471 |
| EAN | 4019238798043 |
| TPI | 3/180 |
| Compound | Black Chili |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 55-622 |
| Size Inch | 29" |
| Width Inch | 2.20 |
| Specified Weight | 640 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 58 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
26x2.20 26x2.30 27.5x2.20 27.5x2.30 27.5x2.60 27.5x2.80 29x2.20 29x2.30 |
Continental Cross King Protection 29x2.2 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 640 grams |
| Measured Weight | 615 grams |
| Measured Width Carcass | 52 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Width Tread | 53 mm |
| Measured Height | 52 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.5 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 3.7 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) | 1.9 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. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Inner Tube |
None (40 ml sealant) (current protocol) | Conti MTB 29 (225 gr butyl) (test protocol) |
| Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar |
22.0 Watts CRR: 0.00659 | 25.5 Watts CRR: 0.00764 |
| Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar |
24.5 Watts CRR: 0.00734 | 29.0 Watts CRR: 0.00869 |
| 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. |
||
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 32 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 7 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 1.9 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 66 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.5 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 3.7 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 Cross King Protection 29x2.2
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
If you're looking for the fastest mountain bike tires, the Cross King Protection isn't the right tire for you. The Race King Protection (read review) rolls much faster as it uses a faster version of the Black Chili compound that likely offers less grip. The Race King rear / Cross King front combination still looks good to us as the rear tire takes the largest load and therefore adds the most to the total rolling resistance.
We're disappointed Continental doesn't specify what kind of Black Chili compound is used on which tires. We're convinced they use at least 2 different versions of the Black Chili compound (and possibly more) that make large differences to the characteristics of their tires.
Ad Buy Continental Cross King Protection 29x2.2 at Amazon.com
RATING:
3.3
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended