Continental Cross King Series
Discover Continental Cross King tires at BIKE24
The Continental Cross King is an all-round MTB tire that combines fast rolling on hard surfaces with dependable edge grip on loose terrain. Closely spaced center knobs keep you moving quickly over gravel and hard-packed forest trails, while larger shoulder knobs dig in through corners and give you clear feedback.
Built for high-mileage riding over mixed terrain, the Cross King is at home on local cross-country loops, marathon distances and after-work trails. Choose from widths of 2.00 to 2.80 inches, from affordable wire-bead tires to Tubeless Ready folding tires built for racing.
What makes the Continental Cross King stand out
Fast rolling, confident cornering and a wide range of sizes make the Cross King a versatile MTB tire:
- Speed meets grip: The low center tread rolls fast, while the shoulder knobs dig in through corners.
- One tread, plenty of bikes: Sizes from 20 to 29 inches cover everything from kids' bikes to full-suspension MTBs.
- Plenty of choice: Choose from wire-bead, ShieldWall and ProTection Cross King tires.
Continental Cross King tires at a glance
The wire-bead Cross King offers an affordable starting point, ShieldWall is built for touring and trails, while ProTection steps up the grip and protection for racing.
Continental Cross King Wire tire
The wire-bead tire is the affordable entry into the Cross King range. Its wire bead sits securely on the rim and is designed for use with an inner tube. Sizes range from 20 inches for kids' bikes up to 29x2.30 – covering everything from touring and the school run to a spare set of MTB tires.
Continental Cross King ShieldWall folding tire
The ShieldWall tire has a folding bead, can be run tubeless and adds an extra puncture-protection layer. It's built for long trail rides where grip and durability matter. Widths from 2.00 to 2.80 inches cover everything from XC rims to plus-size wheels.
Continental Cross King ProTection folding tire
The ProTection tire combines BlackChili Compound with a reinforced casing for the highest grip in the Cross King range. It's Tubeless Ready and adds extra protection across the tread and sidewalls. At BIKE24, you'll find it in 27.5x2.20 with amber sidewalls and 27.5x2.80 in black.
Continental Cross King technologies
Casing protection, rubber compound and the tubeless bead give each Cross King its own ride characteristics. Continental combines them differently across the range, changing how the same tread performs on everything from hardtails to full-suspension trail bikes.
Continental ShieldWall System
The ShieldWall System adds a finely woven cross-fabric protective layer to the tire, helping stop thorns and sharp edges before they reach the casing. The thin, flexible construction still allows the tire to conform to roots, adding puncture protection with little impact on rolling efficiency.
Continental PureGrip Compound
PureGrip Compound is the rubber compound Continental uses for its Performance tires. Based on activated silica, it's designed to combine grip with high mileage. All ShieldWall Cross King tires use this compound.
BlackChili Compound and ProTection casing
BlackChili Compound sits at the top of Continental's range and is used on the Cross King ProTection. Its blend of special synthetic rubbers combines low rolling resistance with high grip. Four casing plies under the tread and three in the sidewalls add protection for racing speeds and rocky terrain.
Discover Continental Cross King tires at BIKE24
Find the Continental Cross King in sizes from 20 to 29 inches, with ETRTO dimensions and tubeless compatibility clearly listed for each tire. Choose the size, casing and setup that fit your bike, with fast shipping on available tires. Our team is also here to help with questions about your MTB tire setup.
Frequently asked questions about the Continental Cross King
What width Continental Cross King fits my mountain bike?
Frame clearance and internal rim width determine which tire width will fit. Cross-country and marathon options include 2.20 and 2.30 inches. The 2.60 and 2.80 inch tires require wider rims and enough clearance at the rear triangle and fork.
Wire-bead or folding tire – which should I choose?
The wire-bead tire costs less and works well for touring, the school run and everyday riding. ShieldWall and ProTection folding tires can be run tubeless, conform more readily to the terrain and provide greater puncture protection. The folding tires are better suited to frequent trail riding.
Can I set up the Continental Cross King tubeless?
The folding tires in the Cross King range are Tubeless Ready, with a bead designed to sit securely in the rim. You'll need a tubeless-compatible rim, correctly installed tubeless rim tape, a tubeless valve and sealant. The wire-bead tires are designed for use with an inner tube.
Can I use the Cross King on an e-MTB?
The ShieldWall folding tires are approved for pedelecs with assistance up to 25 km/h and are designed to handle the additional drive forces. Keep an eye on tire pressure and tread depth, as the higher system weight can increase tire wear. S-pedelecs require E50 approval.
