Continental Gravity Series Mountain Bike Tire Guide
This guide features Continental's Gravity range of mountain bike tires, including the new Argotal, Kryptotal, and Xynotal tread patterns. Tested for months on a wide variety of terrain, these tires have proven themselves around the world and on a variety of trail types. This comprehensive guide will help determine which Continental tire is best for each type of rider .
Continental's Gravity range overview
All the tires featured here are part of Continental's new Gravity range. These tires, designed for downhill-oriented mountain biking, are a departure from previous models. Unlike the usual complexity of tire ranges, the Gravity range is simple and easy to understand, increasing the chances of choosing the right tire. The range offers four tread patterns ( tire tread ), three casing types ( tire casing ) and three rubber compounds ( rubber compounds ), with almost unlimited combinations.
Continental mountain bike tire tread patterns
The choice of tread pattern depends on the terrain and ground conditions. The patterns are, in order of increasing aggressiveness: Xynotal, Kryptotal, Argotal, and Hydrotal. Here is a detailed description of each pattern:
Continental Xynotal
The Xynotal, comparable to the Maxxis Dissector or the Schwalbe Hans Dampf, is designed for dry conditions and hard-packed trails. This tire features the least pronounced knobs in the Gravity range. The center knobs are ramped to improve rolling resistance. With a large contact patch, it is ideal for hard-packed terrain.
Continental Kryptotal
The Kryptotal, similar to the Maxxis Assegai or the Schwalbe Big Betty, comes in two versions: front and rear. The Kryptotal offers larger and more widely spaced knobs than the Xynotal, making it more suitable for mixed and wet terrain. The Kryptotal Re has closer center knobs and lower side knobs to improve rolling resistance and braking traction. It is very similar to the Minion DHR2. The Kryptotal Fr, with more widely spaced and taller knobs, offers better cornering traction.
Continental Argotal
The Argotal, the most aggressive tire for variable and demanding ( loose ) conditions, is comparable to the Maxxis Assegai or the Schwalbe Magic Mary. With very pronounced and widely spaced knobs, it bites better into loose terrain and efficiently evacuates mud. It is ideal for steep and wet trails.
Continental Hydrotal
The Hydrotal, comparable to the Maxxis Shorty or the Schwalbe Dirt Dan, is designed for wet conditions with large knobs and plenty of room to evacuate mud. This tire has not been tested in dry conditions!
Available sizes
As for sizes, all tires are available in 27.5" and 29" diameters. The 2.4" width is available for all tread patterns and tire casings , while the 2.6" width is reserved for the Kryptotal Fr and Argotal with Trail and Enduro casings.
Continental Mountain Bike Tire Guide: Tire Casing and Rubber Compound
The type of riding determines the choice of tire casing and compound . The Gravity range offers three types of casing: Downhill , Enduro and Trail .
Trail casing
The Trail casing is the lightest and thinnest, with a single layer providing minimal protection against punctures and cuts. It includes three layers under the tread and two in the sidewall . It is intended for bikes with 140-160 mm of travel, including eMTBs.
Enduro casing
The Enduro casing is more robust, with additional puncture protection. It has three layers under the tread, two in the sidewall and an Apex layer near the tire bead to improve support and puncture protection.
Downhill casing
The Downhill casing is the heaviest and most robust. It has six layers under the tread, four in the sidewalls, and an Apex layer to provide additional support and prevent damage.
CAUTION!: These tires are difficult to install.
The compounds ( tire compound )
Riding style also determines the choice of compound. There are three compounds: Endurance, Soft , and Super Soft . The Endurance compound is the hardest and most durable, offering the best rolling resistance. The Super Soft compound is the grippiest, but wears faster and offers higher rolling resistance. The Soft compound offers a balance between grip and durability.
All tires, except the Hydrotal, are available in every casing , offering great flexibility to find the perfect configuration without being limited by the manufacturer's choices.
Continental Mountain Bike Tire Review and Favorite Setups
Continental's Gravity tires are the first tires to not make you miss the Maxxis setup. The tire compound , casing , and tread pattern characteristics are aligned with the intended uses. Here's a review by tread pattern:
Continental Xynotal
The Xynotal was tested as a rear tire on a Revel Rascal and a Cannondale Habit LT1, trail bikes with 130 and 140 mm of travel respectively. The Xynotal is ideal for an aggressive trail or all-mountain bike and is preferred for hard and rocky terrain such as several trails from Maelstrom to Sentiers du Moulin.
Continental Kryptotal
The Kryptotal FR and Re have been tested on a variety of bikes, including the Cannondale Jekyll, Cannondale Habit LT1, Deviate Highlander, and Deviate Claymore. This setup is the most versatile, well-suited to all-mountain and enduro riding styles.
Continental Argotal
The Argotal is preferred for long travel bikes, offering excellent grip in loose and wet conditions. It is best suited as a front tire. It has been tested on a Deviate Highlander and a Deviate Claymore.
Downhill tire casings are preferred for all applications, providing excellent cornering support and puncture protection.
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