Bagging World Championship wins since its first appearance, Continental¹s lightest and fastest tyre really is a Race King. It needs TLC on the trail, though.
Continental¹s outstanding Black Chili compound has reset performance benchmarks on both Tarmac and trail. Its super-supple blend creates a small block tread that moulds superbly to the trail for huge amounts of soft compound-style grip. Microparticle inclusions mean it still rolls as fast and lasts as well as Conti¹s old hard compounds, though.
The multiple triangle tread is spaced just wide enough to clear fast without slowing down and it works well enough in loose rock or woodsy conditions to use it on the front or rear without too much worry. The crazy-light Supersonic carcass means it accelerates fast, giving you an advantage every time you exit a corner or change pace on a climb.
Unsurprisingly the superlight construction makes it vulnerable to punctures, though, and unfortunately the tougher Protection version uses a less grippy conventional compound. Weight is 488g.
