Continental Mountain King Kevlar Bead 29er Tire: The Continental Mountain King is an all-around tire available in a 2.2 or 2.4" width. The 2.4 width is recommended for Trail and All Mountain bikes. The 2.2 is best fitted to an XC bike...
Submitted by
Cycle Nomad
a Cross Country Rider
from Hudson Valley
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2011
Strengths: Strong Sidewalls, good company
Weaknesses: Wet conditions, weak thin knobs tear off pretty quickly
Bottom Line:
In wet conditions with loose debris and mud, wet leaves, rocks and rooty, this tire doesn't impress.
My #1 complaint is: Not enough knobs!!
The "widely spaced lugs," are too few and are too weak.
This may be a decent front tire, but don't put it on the back it will dissappoint.
I ride what I guess you would call very technical cross country, loose messy rooty and rocky east coast conditions that seem to always be pretty wet...... Not hardpack.
Bike Setup: two wheels, handlebars, etc....STEEL HARDTAIL
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Submitted by
Fire-dog
a Weekend Warrior
from Nu-Hampsha
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2011
Strengths: Tons of grip in wet slimy and muddy conditions. Dual compound rubber,
Weaknesses: Heavy
Bottom Line:
I traded the weight for the sheer grippy ride-over-everything-iness and have not looked back. I have the 2.4's and ride about 25 psi. I set these up ghetto tubeless with Stans and have only developed a slow leak on the back after two years. I would not recommend these for racing or weight saving.
Similar Products Used: Kenda Karma, Kenda small block 8's
Bike Setup: Mounted these ghetto tubeless on Easton XC rims, riding a Kona King Kahuna
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Submitted by
IndianaXC
a Cross Country Rider
from Milford, Indiana. U.S.
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2011
Strengths: (2.2 version) Light, somewhat fast rolling, tollerable climbing grip on the rear.
Weaknesses: Super tiny, more like a 1.9 maybe even less. Not at all confidence inspiring for the front, Impossible to get the right PSI without it being to hard or rimming out all the time.
Bottom Line:
Super small, no cushion whatsoever, grip on the front is terrible, while on the rear it is just O.K. I have played with the PSI alot, and i cant find a happy medium, one snakebite in the first 5 miles of riding, i blame it on to low of psi, but it shouldnt do that anyway. If i add enough PSI to keep i from rimming it feels like a rock. Only reccomend for XC riding on smooth hardpack course, with no sand or mud.
Similar Products Used: no 29", but maxxis advantage and many other oldies on the front and rear.
Bike Setup: Cannondale singlespeed 29er with lefty.
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Submitted by
goose8
a Cross Country Rider
from Saranac Lake, NY USA
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2011
Strengths: Good traction, decent rolling resistance. They've performed admirably in all sorts of East Coast conditions. Mud, rocks, roots- they work well on all of them.
Weaknesses: A little narrower than advertised. They got showed some wear after a long ride I did with lots of exposed rock.
Bottom Line:
These tires work well for nearly everything I've thrown at them. I will definitely buy another set.
Bike Setup: 2 wheels and some parts. 2.4 Mountain kings front and rear.
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Submitted by
Hobbyfreak
a Weekend Warrior
from Chantilly Va USA
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2011
Strengths: Very grippy, Strong sidewalls, used for about 1 year and absolutely no blowouts.
Weaknesses: Bad for Stans. It took several stans fill to plug sidewalls. has alot of tiny holes. Weight. The 2.4 looks like 2.2!
Bottom Line:
Despite of failures using it as tubeless. It still a very good tire. Good on climbs, mud, rocks and logs. I have never felt scared or going to slip. I must have hit tons of schrubs and sharp rocks and the sidewall holds up very well. Hasnt had any blowouts or side cuts. I recomend it!
Similar Products Used: Specialized captain, Kenda nevegal
Bike Setup: Spot Ti single speed, Full rigid!
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Submitted by
TwoHeadsBrewing
a Cross Country Rider
from Chico, CA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2010
Strengths: Great grip, very confident inspiring, good round profile, tough in the rock gardens, and puts up with abuse.
Weaknesses: Wears REALLY fast on rocky terrain.
Bottom Line:
I REALLY like these tires, and since they came stock on my bike I was surprised at how well they performed. Very solid feeling and provided lots of traction for how little knobbies are on them. The rubber compound is very soft, however, and this proved to be a bummer for the rear tire. I've only had the bike for a little over 3 months, and the middle knobs are all torn/worn down bald. The side knobs are still intact, but the middle of the tire is a slick(!). On the front, the tire looks great however, and I'll continue to run it as it feels good and handles well.
I think for forest paths, wet/muddy conditions these would do great, but just not for the rocky and rough conditions I ride in. This is almost more of a bike path tire and not a try cross country or all mountain tire. I'd recommend it as a front, but not a rear tire.
Similar Products Used: WTB Velociraptor, Nanoraptor
Bike Setup: Windsor Cliff 29er Pro
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Submitted by
anthony.delorenzo
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2010
Strengths: Decently light and fast tire that corners well. Good all-rounder.
Bottom Line:
Love these tires. I have run them front and rear for a great balance between speed and traction. They corner very well. Currently using one in the front with a Race King in the rear for extra speed.
Set up converted tubeless with some fuss, but no problems since the initial set-up.
Similar Products Used: Wierwolf, Exiwolf, Rampage, Racing Ralph
Bike Setup: Singlespeed 29er hardtail, tubeless Mountain King front, Race King rear
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Submitted by
greasy_physique
a Cross Country Rider
from Corn Vegas, Or
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2010
Strengths: lightweight, not too expensive, good tread design, has the word 'king' on it. Good rear tire for XC riding in general.
Weaknesses: Width, definitely not 2.2, closer to 2.0 of contact at best. Not the best in wet conditions. Not a great font tire for me. Tried to set up two as tubeless with UST rims + Stans. Would not recommend. Would not hold air after over 300 miles of riding now. Have added Stans again, rotated, shaken, ridden, everything i can. Sidewalls have thousands of micro-holes that may never seal. Others have had better luck, just not sure the QC is up to tubeless standards. Okay tire but would not risk it on tubeless or maybe try caffe latex or some other sealant...
Bottom Line:
I tried to use this tire outside of its intentions. Is a nice, light, tire but not enough to trust tubeless. If it was UST i would not hesitate to return it but it does not claim to be run that way. Tread pattern is nice, would be good in moist or tacky conditions but slips out in Dry and Wet conditions; kind of a moderate weather tire. I think there are better options out there. Other people have had good luck with the sealing issues but 2 friends have still run into the same tread consensus as i have. Not as wide as printed.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Captain (UST), Nevegal 'Tomac' (not UST)
Bike Setup: Red with chili peppers on it.
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Submitted by
92gli
a Weekend Warrior
from west chester pa
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2010
Strengths: Grip seems very good on tacky and rocky terrain. Only 1 short ride so far. Bead locks on to stans rims easily with an air compressor.
Weaknesses: Way freakin smaller than advertised!!!!
Bottom Line:
Beware ! The 2.2 is 1.8 across the casing and a hair less than 2 across the widest point of the knobs mounted on a stans 355 rim. I knew I wouldn't like this but I was eager to ride my new 9er. Not nearly enough volume on the rocky terrain I ride. I have to sell these and get the 2.4's.
I use the 2.4" for my front tire and do not run it tubeless. I ride in a mixture of all types of surfaces but there is a predominance of sand and stone on my home trails here in central NJ. I find the tall well spaced knobs perfect for fast sandy trails and have total confidence in them when I ride at 100%. The tire also rolls well and does its job well on all surfaces. If you ride allot of hard pack or lots of stone the knobs will wear quickly. I would recommend this tire to anyone who needs a bit of extra traction in loose conditions, especially as a big fat front tire.
Similar Products Used: wtb veloceraptor, maxxis spitfire
Bike Setup: 07 Jamis Dakota 29er, stocker.
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Submitted by
sinac84
a Cross Country Rider
from Snellville, Ga
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2010
Strengths: Can handle any kind of terrain here in Georgia. I haven't ridden any trail that these tires couldn't handle. Big grippy knobs. Work well tubeless.
Weaknesses: If you set them up ghetto tubeless they don't hold air as well as other tires I've set-up. But then again, I'm making them do something they weren't designed too. Just have to check air pressure before I ride.
Bottom Line:
I love these tires and as long as they make them I'm gonna ride them.
Similar Products Used: Kenda Nevegals, Maxxis Ardens and CrossMarks, Picenti Neo-Moto
Bike Setup: 2008 Haro Mary SS: Origin8 Carbon fork, stock wheels with Conti. Mountain Kings 2.4 ghetto tubeless on both wheels, Avid Elixir R breakset, Answer carbon handlebar, KMC 10-speed chain.
2009 Haro Beasley 1x9: Converted to 29er with Shimano XT 29er wheelset with Mountain Kings 2.4 front and 2.2 rear ghetto tubeless, Answer carbon fork, XT cassette, KMC gold 10-speed chain.
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Submitted by
roadbiker2007
a Weekend Warrior
from ohio
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2009
Strengths: Work well on hardpack, shed mud good
Weaknesses: Tires flatted the last 3 rides I did, only found 1 thorn on the last flat, did not find anything on other flats, Weak sidewalls??
Bottom Line:
I wouldn't recommend these for the terrain where I live, I've adjusted pressure several times, but keep spinning out on climbs. I feel these tires are not aggressive enough for my type of riding. I've talked to other riders in the area and they also seem to agree they aren't aggressive enough, with 2 other riders having ridden them on their bikes.
They do seem to shed mud very well.
I also agree with one other review about feeling unstable-side to side motion, again, weak sidewalls??
I give 3 flames for value even though they came on the bike ( I wouldn't re-buy them ), and 2 flames for overall because they don't work for me.
Similar Products Used: none, this is first mountain bike
Bike Setup: Stock Windsor 29er from bikesdirect
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Submitted by
jensh
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2009
Strengths: Good grip in wet and muddy conditions.
Mounts up easy (running tubeless on Bontrager rims)
Not too expensive
Weaknesses: Not 2.4 as claimed, closer to 2.2.
Low volume compared to RR and Raven.
High rolling resistance
Bottom Line:
I have been looking for a tire that works well in Norwegian fall conditions. After the racing season is finished I spend most of the time riding technical single tracks – just for the fun of it! The Norwegian fall is wet and the typical trails I ride have a lot of roots and rocks, The setup I have been using on marathon races like Birken and Grenserittet (RR 2.25 in front and Raven 2.2 on the rear) does not work very well in these conditions (does not work at all…).
I mounted the Mountain King 2.4 both front and rear tubeless with Bontragers rim strip and Stans sealant. They mounted up easily, especially compared to the RR´s.
First ride was in the dark. Since it is hard to know exactly where you’re going you have to trust the tires. Even if I bailed out on some of the more difficult parts, the tires seemed to work as I had hoped for. God grip in the mud and on rocks and roots as well. It had not been raining for a while so the roots and rocks were rather dry. First impression was good.
Second ride in full daylight. It was raining and I was struggling big time to find the rhythm. The tires slipped both front and rear and I was not feeling confident at all. I had started the ride at around 30 psi, it was not working! After15 minutes I stopped and let out some air. Halleluja! With lower pressure the grip became very good. Wet roots still was a little slippery, but in a controlled manner. When I came back the gauge on the pump showed 22 psi on the rear and 25 up front. I will probably try with 25 on both ends on the next ride.
So far I it seems that I have found a “fall” tire that actually works. In the spring when the trails dries up and the race season starts I will go back to RR front and rear. The Mountain King has to much rolling resistance for the marathon races. The Ravens saved weight but the grip was lousy and they are now retiring in the garbage bin
Similar Products Used: Racing Ralph 2.4 and 2.25.
Stans Raven 2.2
Bontrager Jones
Bike Setup: Gary Fisher Superfly
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Submitted by
Eastdoc
a Racer
from Loveland, CO USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2009
Strengths: I have the 2.2 on the rear. This is great for climbing, really hooked up on hard pack, roots, rocks and pretty much anything that you could ride.
Weaknesses: Not sure if its the thin sidewall or treads moving around but this tire is VERY unstable on the downhill. I had to stop to see if it was flat. Really changed the way the back of the bike handled. This is the first tire that I would not recommend.
Bottom Line:
Great tire if you are going uphill, do not ride it downhill! The price is the saving grace, I will still ride it until it will ride no more.
Submitted by
jgw1981
a Weekend Warrior
from Walled Lake, MI,USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2009
Strengths: Great gripping tire, even in the sand. Doesn't weigh a whole lot. I have had it in the sand, regular hard pack, and mud. It grips well, and rolls pretty well through everything. Also sheds mud really well. Looks good too. :-)
Weaknesses: It seems a little narrower than the 2.2 that it claims to be.
Bottom Line:
Great tires, better priced than the Kenda and Specialized tires. Just wish they would call it a 29 x 2.1 rather than a 2.2. This is a great all around trail tire, good for the conditions around SE Michigan.
Just purchased two for 52 bucks with free shipping. :thumbsup:
[url]http://www.backcountry.com/store/CON0022/Continental-Mountain-King-29-Inch-Tire.html?AID=10471577&PID=211760 Read More »
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Continental Mountain King 29er, 2.2 and 2.4
On sale for $29.74 each until 5/26/11
[url]http://www.bicyclebuys.com/tires/TiresATB/0601537PART[/url]
I chose the budget shippi Read More »
