Continental has added a second tire to its Rammstein pro signature tire series. This time its a 24-inch tire, co-designed with Danny MacAskill, that has yet to be named. The tire's reinforced casing is topped with Conti's grippy Black Chili rubber, molded into a closely spaced tread pattern that resembles the rounded style that most freestyle competitors prefer. The yet-to be named tire is still a bit of a mystery, and it was released to the public just moments before the Eurobike show. Continental says that the MacAskill tire has yet to be officially named, and that full details, including prices, maximum pressure and weights will be available in the early fall. Production tires should be arriving later this year.
Danny MacAskill's 24-inch bike sporting Continental's nobody-gets-them-but-Danny 2.4-inch Rammstein tires.
Another look at the Rammstein freestyle tire shows its wide, rounded tread profile.
Danny's new tire follows the 26-inch Rammstein Kaiser DH tire recently co-developed along with the Athertons. Continental says it will continue to add Rammstein models as its competition program expands, which leads us to believe that an Enduro-specific tire will be the next to bear the name. The takeaway from Continental's pro tire development program is that the German tire maker is putting the same effort it has used to dominate pro-tour road racing - and that the target market is North America - a marketplace which has been owned by Maxxis and Kenda for over two decades. Competition results and early testing indicates that Conti is on the comeback trail.
And Three New 29er Tires
Cointinenal threw in with three new 2,4-inch-wide trail tires for 29ers. The X-King (foreground), Mountain King, and Trail King tires are also sold in 26 and 650b diameters.
Conti also showed three good looking 29er trail tires: the XC king, Trail King and the Mountain King, all three of which are also available in 2.2 and 2.4 - inch casing sizes, and in all three popular wheel diameters (26, 650b, and 29er). Conti improved its top-end 'Race Sport' casings to be a bit lighter weight and then redesigned its 'Protection' armored casing to withstand more punishment. 'Protection' casings use a rubber-coated nylon fabric layer that helps to break thorns and prevent sidewall tears. The layer runs bead to bead around the tire and under the tread. The protection layer adds 100 grams to the 29er tires and adds about 75 grams to a 26er tire. An open tread pattern reduces the rolling resistance and all three models are tubeless ready. Expect to pay between $34.95 and $64.95, depending upon the bead type and features.
Small, sharp blocks on a wide, flexible carcass make the X-King a fast rolling tread that can manage a decent grip. Most choose it for a rear tire. Weights: from 620g to 820g depending upon casing
Open tread with a more aggressive block pattern and strong edging blocks are the Mountain King's signature ride-it-all tread pattern. Weights: from 680g to 860g depending upon casing type.
Those seeking maximum grip for braking, turning and technical climbing will appreciate the Trail King's aggressive tread and fast-rolling angled crown tread blocks. Weights from 950g to 1150g depending upon casing. (it's called the Rubber Queen in Europe).
(or schwalbe)
