Tire Review: Continental Speed King Cross Cyclocross Tire Review
Racing and Riding Impressions: Continental adapted its popular Speed King mountain bike tire for ’cross, and it’s easy to see why this tread has been popular in the fat tire world. Continental has since launched its Speed, Race and Mud tires, but the Speed King can still be found in many stores and online.
On hardpack surfaces, it rolls well with its widely-spaced, low-profile knobs, and when things got loose or sloppy, at low pressure the tall, stout side knobs kicked in for good straight line and cornering grip, while shedding mud well. It did well both as a front or rear tire.
The only downside to the tire was that the tall side knobs seem to slow the tire in very thick grass, so stay off the golf course.
Continental Speed King Cross cyclocross tire. © Cyclocross Magazine
Width (listed / measured): 35mm / 31mm
Weight (listed / measured): 450g / 399g
MSRP: $ 38.99
TPI: 60 (Note: Continental measures its TPI by totaling the three plies, so the equivalent per-ply TPI is 60.)
