MTB Tire Test: Continental Cross King Protection 29x2.3

NOTE: We added hard surface wet grip test data on 2023-6-9. The rating of the Continental Cross King Protection 29x2.3 has been upgraded by 0.2 points because of very good results in the hard surface wet grip test.

The Continental Cross King probably is Continental's most versatile mountain bike tire. With its balanced tread pattern, the Cross King can handle a very large range of conditions that range from dry hardpack up to light mud conditions.

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We already tested the 29x2.2 version of the Cross King Protection (read our review) back in 2020 and found it to be much slower than the ultra-fast Race King Protection (read our review) that supposedly uses the same "Black Chili" compound. Our conclusion back then was that Continental uses unspecified versions of the Black Chili compound that have different properties regarding grip, durability, rolling resistance, etc.

On "paper" (Continental's website), the 29x2.3 version of the Cross King is just the same tire as the 29x2.2 version. Conti's website indicates they both use the same tread pattern, 3/180 Protection casing, and "Black Chili" compound. If you've been using the 2.2 or 2.3 versions of the Cross King and are considering switching to another size, you should be aware that they are more different than you might expect.

Since our review of the 29x2.2 Cross King back in 2020, Continental added the 27.5x2.60 and 27.5x2.80 sizes which might be interesting if you like really big tires. In the 29" size, the 2.3 version is still the biggest Cross King.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Continental
Model	Cross King Protection 29x2.3
Year	2021
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	0101475
EAN	4019238798418
TPI	3/180
Compound	Black Chili
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	58-622
Size Inch	29"
Width Inch	2.30
Specified Weight	755 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	54
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 29x2.3 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	755 grams
Measured Weight	745 grams
Measured Width Carcass	55 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	58 mm
Measured Height	55 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	3.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	5.1 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.2 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	26.3 Watts CRR: 0.00788	29.8 Watts CRR: 0.00893
Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar	28.4 Watts CRR: 0.00851	32.9 Watts CRR: 0.00986
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	37 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.2 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	64 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	3.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	5.1 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

The 29x2.3 version of the Cross King is not only beefed up in size, but its knob height and tread thickness have also increased by quite a bit. The center knobs have increased in height from 2.5 up to 3.2 mm, the edge knobs have increased from 3.7 up to 5.1 mm in height, and the tread thickness (excluding knobs) has gone from 1.9 up to 2.2 mm.

Because of these changes in knob height and tire thickness, rolling resistance has increased by ~15% over the already quite slow rolling 29x2.2 version of the Cross King. The good part is that puncture resistance of the tread has also increased by the same ~15%.

These changes place the 2.2 and 2.3 versions of the Cross King in entirely different sections of the mountain bike tire market. If you liked one of these versions or read reviews of the Cross King you might be a bit disappointed when new tires are not what you expected. You can compare the 29x2.2 and 29x2.3 versions of the Cross King side by side on our comparison section to get a good idea of the differences.

Continental should be more open about the different versions of their Black Chili compound and also the huge changes between tires with the same name.

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RATING: 3.2 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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