Probikeshop advice · Continental
Mountain bike tyres · XC, trail, enduro, DHChoosing the right Continental MTB tyres
Start with your riding style and the terrain you ride most often, then choose the casing and compound. Our selector will suggest a suitable front / rear pairing.
1. Three things to consider when choosing
Your riding style
XC, trail, enduro or downhill: the XC range (Dubnital, Trinotal, Magnotal) and Gravity range (Kryptotal, Xynotal, Argotal, Hydrotal) are designed for different types of riding.
Your terrain
Dry and hard-packed, mixed, wet or muddy: the looser the ground, the taller and more widely spaced the knobs need to be.
Your wheel and rim
Tyre diameter (26, 27.5 or 29 inches) and width, checking clearance in the frame and fork.
Speed
Dubnital, Trinotal: Race or Trail casings, Rapid or Grip compounds.
Versatility
Magnotal, Kryptotal Trail: more grip for trail riding and loose ground.
Maximum grip
Kryptotal, Xynotal, Argotal, Hydrotal: Enduro and Downhill casings, Soft and SuperSoft compounds.
Your configuration
2. Find your front / rear pairing
Choose your riding discipline and the terrain you ride most often: we’ll suggest a front tyre, a rear tyre and the recommended version.
Complete both fields to see the recommendation.
3. XC, downcountry and trail
From fastest-rolling to grippiest.
| Model | Terrain | Riding style | Position | Versions | At a glance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubnital | Dry | XC · Downcountry | Front / rear | Race · Trail · Rapid · Grip | The fastest tyre in the XC range, for hard, dry ground. Replaces the Race King. |
| Race King | Dry | XC | Front / rear | ShieldWall · ProTection | Previous range: very fast-rolling on dry, compact ground. |
| Trinotal | DryMixed | XC · Downcountry | Front / rear | Race · Trail · Rapid · Grip | The versatile XC tyre, for hard to mixed ground. Replaces the Cross King. |
| Cross King | DryMixed | XC · recreational riding | Front / rear | ShieldWall · ProTection | Previous range: the XC and recreational riding all-rounder. |
| Tape | DryMixed | Trail | Front / rear | ShieldWall | Previous range: fast and robust for trail riding. |
| Magnotal | MixedLoose terrainWet | XC · Trail | Front / rear | Trail · Grip · Soft | The grippiest tyre in the XC range: loose and damp ground. Replaces the Mountain King. |
| Mountain King | MixedWet | XC · Trail | Front / rear | ShieldWall · ProTection | Previous range: more grip for trail riding. |
Previous range: ShieldWall = reinforced sidewalls, more protection; ProTection = BlackChili compound, lighter and higher-performing. Children’s sizes: Kryptotal Trail in 20 and 24 inches.
4. Trail, enduro and downhill: the Gravity range
From fastest-rolling to grippiest.
| Model | Terrain | Riding style | Position | Versions | At a glance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xynotal | Dry | Trail · Enduro · DH | Front / rear | Trail · Enduro · Downhill · Endurance · Soft · SuperSoft | The fastest-rolling tyre in the Gravity range: hard, dry and rocky ground. |
| Kryptotal-F | DryMixedWet | Trail · Enduro · DH | Front | Trail · Enduro · Downhill · Endurance · Soft · SuperSoft | The Gravity all-rounder, front version: grip and precision through corners. |
| Kryptotal-R | DryMixedWet | Trail · Enduro · DH | Rear | Trail · Enduro · Downhill · Endurance · Soft · SuperSoft | The Gravity all-rounder, rear version: traction and braking. |
| Argotal | Loose terrainWet | Trail · Enduro · DH | Front / rear | Trail · Enduro · Downhill · Endurance · Soft · SuperSoft | Tall, widely spaced knobs: loose, muddy and wet ground. |
| Hydrotal | Mud | Downhill | Front / rear | Downhill · SuperSoft | The specialist for mud and waterlogged conditions. |
5. Continental casings and compounds
Casings · from lightest to toughest
Light and supple, for XC racing.
Reinforced sidewalls and tread: protection and durability.
More protection and stability (Gravity range).
The toughest casing, for DH and bike parks.
Compounds · from rolling efficiency to grip
The fastest, for racing.
The most versatile casing in the XC range.
Durable and fast-rolling.
More grip for trail and enduro riding.
Maximum grip, ideal for the front.
6. Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between the XC and Gravity ranges?
The XC range (Dubnital, Trinotal, Magnotal) is designed for cross-country, downcountry and light trail riding, with Race or Trail casings and Rapid, Grip or Soft compounds. The Gravity range (Kryptotal, Xynotal, Argotal, Hydrotal) is designed for demanding trail riding, enduro and downhill, with Trail, Enduro or Downhill casings.
What do F and R mean on the Kryptotal?
F (Front) denotes the front version, R (Rear) the rear version. Their tread patterns differ: cornering grip at the front, traction and braking at the rear.
What replaced the Race King, Cross King and Mountain King?
By the new XC range: the Dubnital replaces the Race King, the Trinotal the Cross King and the Magnotal the Mountain King.
ShieldWall or ProTection?
In the previous range, ShieldWall reinforced the sidewalls for extra protection and used the PureGrip compound. ProTection used the BlackChili compound: lighter and higher-performing.
Are Continental tyres tubeless?
Yes, every MTB tyre in the range shown here is Tubeless Ready: fit without an inner tube, using tyre sealant.
Further reading: Choosing the right Continental gravel tyres · Choosing the right Continental road tyres · What pressure should I use for my tyres? · Choosing your tyre sealant
Positioning based on Continental’s descriptions (continental-tires.com) and the specialist cycling press. Available versions vary by size.
