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LATEST UPDATE OCTOBER 23rd 2025
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Continental Cross King Protection Black Chili Tyres
26x2.25 632g £71.99 (each)
The Continental Cross King Protection Black Chili Tyres are the latest incarnation of their fast rolling, tubeless-ready cross-country rubber compound. Capable all-rounders, they're particularly suited to dry, hardpack and loose surfaces. Puncture resistance is certainly improved over previous versions I've run through spring, summer and late winter. However, they're less dependable when cornering hard and still struggle when things turn wet and boggy, so best suited to the drier months.
Pros: Quick, climb well, tubeless ready, good choice of sizes, impressive on dry trails and gravel roads.
Cons: Middling cornering prowess, struggle in gloopy mud.
Specification
Ours were the 26x3.0 180tpi versions, but there's also a 2.0, catering for older bikes with tighter clearances. Frankly, it's nice to see contemporary rubber still made for the likes of yours truly and their fleet. Riders of 29 also have a choice of 2.20 and 2.30, whereas 27.5 also have a 2.60 and 2.80 version.
Now, I've run ours tubed-both butyl and TPU but have also run previous incarnations tubeless. Continental say the Black Chili compound versions are the casing is engineered so run tubeless they "seat and inflate" first time. The Black Chili compound is manufactured in the brand's Korbach factory and is essentially a series of blended polymers designed to provide a consistent and optimal blend of grip, rolling resistance and longevity.
Continental say they have achieved these characteristics without compromising another. For example, a compound engineered specifically for wear, or durability may have compromised grips. Continental claim their Black Chili compound offers 30% improved grip, 26% lower rolling resistance and a 5% boost in durability/mileage. There's also a puncture repelling weave that runs from bead to bead, which is best thought of as a sturdy membrane rather than a beefy belt.
One designed to offer reliable protection, not bulletproof but doesn't detract from a quick, spirited persona. I was very impressed with a previous version of the Cross Kings, but struggled with reliability on winter lanes and trails, finding them particularly vulnerable to thorns and hedge clippings, so was particularly keen to see how these compare.
I'm also told this compound is constantly being evaluated and perhaps predictably, the specific blends are top secret and under constant development. The Cross King's tread pattern is an offset design, which I'm told was developed to mimimise rolling resistance, while the lugged shoulders still providing grip in wet conditions-especially when cornering.
As I said in my opening paragraph, they are ideally suited to dry, loose and hard trails, not boggy mud, or monsoon conditions but even in very arid settings, such as California, it rains sometimes. Recommended pressure is 44 psi but they can be run as high as 58psi, which gives plenty of scope for trails and indeed moderate amounts of metalled road.
Test bike & contexts
Ours arrived at the close of April and were fitted to Ursula, my trial biased rough stuff tourer based around a modernised late 90s cross country mountain bike. Ours slid effortlessly aboard 25mm Ryde Sputnik rims and required a single, standard tyre lever to scoop them from the rim. The very arid test period was seemingly optimal for the Cross Kings tread pattern and design brief. However, increased temperatures brought thundery downpours, wet roads, trails and byways. I’ve run ours through to September, when persistently heavy rains turned trails suitably boggy.
Ride quality/handling 3.25/5
True to claims, and indeed my previous experience, the Cross Kings are very quick, engaging and generally reliable on the handling front. Weight obviously plays a part but acceleration and rolling resistance were slightly lower than the CST Patrol, making a palpable difference when doing longer miles along metalled roads to reach the trails, specifically.
These sprightly characteristics see them really sparkle along hard pack trails, dusty bridleways, disused airfields and unmade, gravel roads and in my view, a good bet for drop bar mountain bikes, rough stuff tourers and monster cross inspired builds that do all terrain duties.
Run at their maximum 58psi, I wasn't surprised to discover them slightly skittish in these riding conditions but dropping them between 45 and 50psi (the latter to entertain a mix of tarmac and trail) made all the difference. 45psi brought out the best mix of grip, speed and compliance off road.
Grip, even across loose surfaces is surprisingly good, although as some other commenters have suggested, braking needs to be modulated and progressive. This was confirmed by a kamikaze muntjac that leapt into my path, while I was doing 23mph. The Cross Kings bit and we stopped with room to spare and clean shorts, but this was a familiar pattern, amplified when cornering hard.
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With a steady tempo, they'll climb steeper sections predictably too. However, cornering was more of a lottery, reasonable when dry but when the rains came, an exercise in restraint. On some very pebbly, rocky sections, I was concerned by some discernible bounce. I never lost control, nor has it led to a spill, but certainly disconcerting and urged intense concentration.
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A narrative that continued when the rains came. With the pressure between 40 and 50 psi, chasing along familiar bridleways, I was taken by their speed, but also the relative lack of bite, which took a period of adjustment. When things tuned boggier, the tread quickly became slick.
The front tyre lost traction, resulting in a slide on a few occasions, most I could get under control, but one that carried me away from the trail, a hedge breaking our fall.
Puncture resistance & durability 3.5/5
I wasn’t surprised by the lack of hiss, at least during the period and 600 miles. Regular rides along rough gravel roads made no impact upon the casings, which was a pleasant surprise. I’ve not hesitated to charge through brambles and similar foliage, flints and watery tracks either. Boggy mud collects all kinds of debris, but nothing that’s worked into the casings to date.
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Again, sidewalls and centre tread have remained flat and cut-free, which was a pleasant surprise, especially given my long-term experience with the otherwise very likeable predecessors. These punctured more frequently in these riding contexts. Run between 40 and 55psi, the casings and tread pattern show little signs of wear.
Value 3.25/5
£71.99 rrp is at the higher end but certainly not outlandish. Maxxis Ardent EXO TR are £50 apiece, available in 26, 27.5 and 29 inches. They’re a long running, versatile model aimed at trail audiences and for a wealth of conditions. However, while a good bet for general cross country and trail duties, racers may find them a bit on the portly side. Schwalbe Racing Ralph are primarily intended as a rear tyre and something of an institution, for good reason.
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They’re quick and responsive and seemingly durable. Specialized Ground Control are another popular, long serving model. Available in 26-, 27.5- and 29-inch versions, there’s also a budget wire bead model for folks on a tight budget. They’re a 60tpi, tubeless ready model in much the same flavour as the Schwalbe and also suffer from a slight weight penalty, which will be a turn off for cross country racers but perform very well in wetter, gloopier conditions. WTB Ranger £75 are another tubeless ready all-rounder designed to roll fast in wet, muddy contexts, which has obvious appeal to UK based cross country riders. However, they’re only available in contemporary 27.5 and 29 sizes.
Summary
If you’re seeking a fast cross-country tyre for dry trails, gravel roads and hardpack, the Continental Cross Kings are well worth a closer look. Their speed, weight, choice of sizes and seemingly dependable puncture resistance means they’re also a good best for monster cross and adventure touring/bike packing duties. Their limitations have quickly become apparent in boggy mud of the kind illustrated here. Look elsewhere if you’re seeking rubber that will cope well in these contexts.
Verdict: 3.25/5 Engaging cross country tyres offered in a good choice of sizes but struggle in gloopy mud.
Michael Stenning
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2025
