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Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes “plus” w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt

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The term ‘Plus” has a pretty wide meaning these days. For some companies it can mean 3.0″ tires or bigger. For others, like Continental, 2.6″ is enough for the designation. That’s the case with Continental’s new Der Baron 2.6 Projekt – just one of five new tires in the King series for 2018.

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt
Der Baron Projekt 27.5 x 2.6″

Offered only in 27.5 x 2.6″, the Der Baron 2.6 Projekt is impressively light at 890g on our scale. And if it runs true to size like the other Continentals we’ve tried recently (or bigger), that is crazy light for such a big tire. Available only in the ProTection Apex casing, the tire uses a four ply, 240tpi carcass with a tubeless ready folding bead and BlackChilli rubber compound. At some point in the near future, the Trail King, Mountain King, and Cross King will also be offered in 27.5 x 2.6″ sizes for the coming year.

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt
Trail King ProTection Apex 27.5 x 2.4″

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt

Going into the new year, the Trail King gets an updated profile and improved sidewall like all of the King line up for a better ride and increased grip and tire feel. All of the Trail King tires run the ProTection Apex casing, and tires are available in 26, 27.5, and 29″ wheel sizes, all in both 2.2 and 2.4″ widths. Again, our sample came in well under the claimed 890g at 836g for the four ply, 240tpi folding, tubeless ready tire.

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt

First rides lead us to believe that this is their best Trail King yet with a surprisingly supportive ride from a light weight tire. Likely due to the Apex reinforcing layer from the bead to the tire shoulder, you can run lower pressures than you’d expect from a tire this light and get crazy grip out of the BlackChilli compound. Mounted to the RaceFace Next R carbon rims, the tires measure a full 2.5″ wide, so they’re not cutting corners with width to get the weight down.

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt

The Mountain King gets the same profile and sidewall updates as the Trail King, along with an all new tread pattern. Skewed more towards the wet and muddy side than the Trail King, the Mountain King is available in 26, 27.5, and 29 x 2.3″ sizes with ProTection casing, 4/240tpi construction, and BlackChilli compound. Weighing in at 753g, the 29 x 2.3″ Mountain King was just over the 745g claimed weight.

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt

Continuing down the line, the Cross King is again updated with a new profile and sidewall construction, and is available in a ton of options. Offered in all three wheel sizes, tire widths are limited to 2.2 and 2.3″, while casings are offered in both ProTection and RaceSport which ditches the additional sidewall protection for a lighter weight casing. Both are available in 3/180 or 4/240 tpi construction with BlackChilli rubber, though only the 4/240 tpi tires are Tubeless ready. Once again, the 29 x 2.3″ Cross King ProTection came in under claimed weight at 733g.

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt

Continental revives the King w/ all new range of mountain bike tires, goes "plus" w/ Der Baron 2.6 Projekt

Finally, the Race King fills in the need for an XC/Marathon race specific tire with both 2.2 and 2.0″ widths. As with the other new King tires, the Race King has an improved sidewall, new profile better suited for wider rims, and ProTection or RaceSport builds with 4/240 or 3/180 tpi construction that is tubeless read for the higher thread count. This 29 x 2.2″ Race King ProTection weighed in at 574g with a claimed weight of 605g.

continental-tires.com

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13 Comments
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Collin S
6 years ago

What exactly is the new Apex Protection? The old protection tires were so stiff, the tire felt like plastic.

Marin
Marin
6 years ago

What is wrong with tire manufacturers completely ignoring bigger 29″ tires?

Why is there no Baron or TK in 29×2.6??
It seems like a weird omission considering how aggressive 29ers have become very popular over the last few years.

Penn Teller
Penn Teller
6 years ago
Reply to  Marin

I also like larger 29″ tires, Marin, though I disagree that tire manufacturers are “completely ignoring” them. I have a Schwalbe 29×2.6″ Nobby Nic (pre-Addix) that weighed about 850 grams on my scale. Schwalbe specifies that the current (Addix) version weighs about 950 grams.

I’ve been very pleased with my 2.6″ Nobby Nic. Still, I’d like to try a Trail King in 29×2.6″ and even a Race King in 29×2.6″. I currently use a Race King Protection 2.2″ on the back, and a 2.6″ (if it fit) would be really interesting.

Marin
Marin
6 years ago
Reply to  Penn Teller

I have NN 2.6 too, but other than that there are no other options. Compare it to 27.5 and look at all the options for 2.6, 2.8, 3.0’s
Wtb, Specialized, Maxxis, Conti they all make different sized 27″ tires but no bigger 29″.

Vern C
Vern C
6 years ago
Reply to  Marin

Not everyone is ignoring 29×2.6/2.8, just Conti. As with with most things, such as these tires shown here, they’re about 3 years late to the party.

Mr. P
6 years ago

Has Black Chili improved to last more than a handful of rides? (This was 3-4 years ago)

Roman Indus
Roman Indus
6 years ago
Reply to  Mr. P

What? i cant wear them in 2 seasons with over 3k km, but casing is weak can be damaged on rocks…

Simon Still
Simon Still
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr. P

I think you’re on your own with short life.

Seraph
Seraph
6 years ago

Conti finally releases a “plus” tire and it’s only a 2.6. SMH.

Ethan
Ethan
6 years ago
Reply to  Seraph

Came here to comment this. 2 years late.

Maciej
Maciej
6 years ago

Will Conti dirt tires finally resist cuts? Will the bead seat and stay tight? Will they hold air (& sealant) without going through a 3 day process?

Conti UST tires were burly and durable. As soon as they changed to their Apex casings the tires went to crap. You did it right before, Conti. Go back to making mountain bike tires that don’t suck.

-S
-S
6 years ago

Still waiting for Conti to release a tire named Fa for the King series.

Tony C
Tony C
5 years ago

Good to see a top quality manufacture making 26er high end tyres. Weights are excellent, Race Kings are 430 for the 2” and 483 for 2.2” I find them easy to fit. They have plenty life in them and can take locking the rear wheel with out any damage. Great that they are made in Germany and not farmed out to China or Thailand. The Mud King 1.8 is just perfect when the going gets thick. And not heavy at just over 500 grams. The spikes clear mud with ease. These are high quality tyres and are worth the money.

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