Compared to 26″ tyres the range of decent 29″ ones is still very limited, but Continental have just released our favourite Mountain King tyres in the larger size.
We’ve been so impressed with the 26″ Mountain King tyres that they even made it into this year’s Dirt 100, and so unless something crazy has happened in the switch to a larger size we reckon these could soon become one of our favourite 29″ tyres too. The excellent tread pattern has proved to make one of the best all-round tyres we’ve ever ridden, but it’s perhaps the Black Chilli compound that really makes then stand out. When Continental first released this compound we have to admit that we were a bit sceptical about their seemingly magical claims of a soft compound that still rolls fast and doesn’t wear out, but they have indeed created
such a wonder rubber.
Only the two more expensive versions use the Black Chilli compound, and sadly unlike the basic folding version these only come in a 2.2″ version. Quite why Continental have chosen to do this when they also offer the cheaper tyre in a 2.4″ version is a bit of a mystery to us. As you can see in the photo below the 2.2″ doesn’t come up too small, but we definitely feel that a 2.4″ Black Chilli tyre has the potential to be an amazing weapon for agro 29’er riders. Hopefully that option will be added to the range in due course.
If you’re an out and out weight freak then you might want to go for the ‘RS’ (Race Sport) version, but we’d personally always go for the Protection one instead. Both are tubeless ready, but the Protection has considerably tougher, and more supportive sidewalls. Ours Protection’s weighed in at 679g and 686g (a fair bit lighter than the claimed 740g), which is reasonably light for a 29″ tyre, so we certainly don’t feel the need to skimp on durability in order to save any weight.
So there you have it, all you big wheelers can now benefit from one of the best all-round tyres there is.
Protection 2.2″: £49.95
RS 2.2″: £44.95
Folding 2.2″ or 2.4″: £29.95
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