Tyres are sometimes an overlooked item on a bike. Everyone talks about and researches the latest fork or brake they are considering to adorn their steed, but very few sit down and research which ring of knobbly rubber they should run. To me this is crazy! Yes, a fork and brake will change the ride of your bike, but the tyres are the things which keep you rolling along the earth and, if you chose wisely, they’ll also be the component which prevents you from slipping in rocky/muddy/rooty sections to your possible doom!!! Ok, a little dramatic, but your tyres are an extremely important piece of your bike, and can make you faster and keep you out of trouble.
Continental have been in the tyre making game as long as many other companies (longer in fact than most) and they know a thing or two about making a good bit of sticky rubber.
The Mountain King 2.4 Tyres (also available in 2.2 and 29niner!) are billed as a lightweight large volume tyre for all round use. They are made by hand in Germany using a three layer construction for a TPI count of 180, the thread is added per inch count (TPI) which is totaled to get 180.
The tread pattern is made up of widely spaced, low profile diamonds and triangles, which we imagine will roll well on the tarmac to and from rides and should also clear mud well (due to the wide spaces).
With Spring moving along and Summer just around the corner, we are going to be experiencing a vast array of weather conditions here in Qingdao. Just this morning it was raining, and now it is sunny and dry. Perfect conditions to test Conti’s latest ‘All round’ tyre.
Keep posted for first ride impressions and full review.
Thanks to Colmax for sending the Mountain King’s to us for testing.
UPDATE
Dry weather review can be read here.
Wet weather impressions can be read here.
The Taipei International Bicycle show is one of the most prestigous bicycle shows of the year. Companies from all over the globe will be there showing off 08 and 09 products for consumers and industry types to drool over.