Cross-country tires live in the tension between rolling speed and grip across variable terrain. Continental's Cross King Protection addresses this with a tread pattern that works across hardpack, loose-over-hard conditions, and light mud without forcing compromises in either direction. The small-block center tread rolls efficiently on smooth trails while the shoulder knobs provide cornering confidence when you lean into turns on technical sections.

The BlackChili compound delivers traction characteristics that adapt to trail conditions. Continental formulates this rubber blend specifically for each tire application, combining synthetic and natural rubbers with carbon black particles optimized for shape and surface properties. The result is grip that holds through corners and braking zones without the rolling resistance penalties of softer compounds. The 3/180 TPI casing provides compliance that lets the tire conform to trail surface irregularities while maintaining structural support under hard pedaling and cornering loads.

Continental builds the Cross King Protection with a puncture protection layer that runs from bead to bead, covering both tread and sidewalls against cuts and penetrations. This ProTection layer adds reliability without the weight and stiffness of thicker anti-puncture systems. The tire carries E25 certification for e-bike use, indicating the casing can handle the additional forces from motor assist and higher average speeds. Tubeless Ready construction allows you to run lower pressures for improved traction and bump absorption, particularly valuable on rocky terrain where maintaining tire contact with the ground matters more than raw speed.... Read More