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Has anyone tried Mountain Kings in either 2.2 / 2.4?
What's the verdit, worth trying? I usually run Highrollers but may have the option to buy contis at discount.
Whats the STW opinion of Contis generally?
the black chilli versions are a lot better
If they are the cheap OE plastic ones,then you will die horribly.
New models (if you can find them) and especially the black chilli ones are excellent.Been riding some sample ones for a few months.
I think I'm in the minority when I say that I really like Contis in general, and have ridden both 2.2 and 2.4 MKs.
Like the 2.4s in the Peak, quite like 2.2s for general riding.
Rode Trans Wales last year on MK 2.2s with no problem, Supersonic up front and Protection out back.
If it's getting drier, stick a Race King on the back.
They used to have quite a bad rep, but I think they've got a completely different tread pattern now, and would probably be worth a try.
The new ones are good all rounders. 2.4 gives a bit more grip (especially as a front tyre). Get Black Chilli compound as they grip more and wear well.
I think I have the cheap plastic oem ones....
the worst tyre I've ever come across. Need to be at about 2,789,678psi to stand a chance of not pinch flatting.
Running 2.4 front and 2.2 rear. Very confidence giving on the Dyfi Enduro for the last 2 years. Recently the front washed out horribly on some loose stuff at Nant yr Arian and I hit the ground hard. Until that point I had no complaints. Rear lasted a year of regular riding and is now looking rather slick like.
Rolls quite nicely on the road.
I'm 17ish stone and haven't had a pinch flat at just under 40psi.
HTH
I have the OEM 2.2 on my Whyte 901....yuk horrible tyres, quite a low volume tyre as well. Gonna get some Crossmarks I think!
My (2010) Five came with 2.2 UST MK's and I changed them after a month or so. Awful awful tyre, they felt like they had no grip and gave me no confidence at all into fast corners.
Sounds like the Black Chilli one's might be better but personally I'll steer well clear of them from now on.
One of the few things I have brand loyalty for is tyres.
Why would you want anything other than Maxxis?
the 2.4" black chilli ones are drifty little burgers, especially on packed trail centre berms. only a slight drift, and never a full skid-out and crash. i like em, but it took a long time to get used to them...
Very good when it's dry, the slightest moisture and you'll be sliding horribly everywhere, particularly dangerous on tarmac sections.
As above the OE plastic ones are so bad they seem like an hallucination but having said that even the chilli 2.2s are pretty grim personally I wouldn't put them on the side of a canal barge. 2.4s are good on tarmac and climbing/braking but will have you on your ear in the corners.
+1Why would you want anything other than Maxxis?
I have a couple of brand new 2.2 Kevlar Mountain Kings if your interested (not the chilli ones). Drop me a mail if you fancy them.
I have a 2.2 UST on the back and a on old 2.3 speed king on the front, i ride what most people on here seem to think is the slippiest place on earth (damp rooty Drumlanrig) and they don't seem to slow me down any.
They roll fast and are predictable, I can't fault them myself.
Tried the uber expensive black chilli Rubber Queens. Horribly weak side walls which split within weeks and some very unpredictable handling characteristics! Some people love 'em, not me, went back to Maxxis DHF front and back.
Curiously they seem to be made of the corresponding velcro to the cycle path near me, very hard work. I changed them before I risked using them on anything technical (std. compund 2.4"(