Extensive, yet easy to understand

As you can see in the image below the new range has loads of variations but luckily doesn't overcomplicate things. You would have also noticed that this a gravity-focused range so you can expect great grip and protection from every tyre on their periodic table. 

Why are tread patterns important.

Understanding tread patterns is becoming a fine art with so many tyres now on the market it can be somewhat confusing to know where to start and even more difficult to know what to add to your cart. Getting the right tread pattern for your style of riding is so important. It is your main interaction with the ground and hence has a huge effect on the quality of your ride and how predictable the trail feels beneth you. 

Xynotal (Xy) - Hardpacked

Perfect for hardpack, rocky surfaces. With low rolling resistance and contact edges for improved traction and braking, you can enjoy a fast ride with the confidence of continuous grip when you need it most.

Kryptotal Rear & Front (Kr) - Mixed terrain specialist

With two slightly different tread patterns optimized for rear wheel and front wheel use, this all-round tyre combo balances stability, grip, brake traction and rolling resistance. 

Argotal (Ar) - Loose soil specialist

Ideal tyre for loose terrain, with cornering stability and increased side knobs for cornering grip. The open tread pattern allows for self-cleaning so you can push your riding limits through dirt, dust and loam.

Hydrotal - Mud
A specialist tyre for downhill and a super soft compound option for racing. Balances grip and rolling resistance with a self-cleaning tread that ensures continuous grip when you’re shredding through muddy, slippery conditions.

What are tyre compounds?

A compound is the formula of rubber used for the outside layer of a tyre. Continental have been using a rubber compound called Black Chili for many years now with great success so this feels like an attempt to simplify the naming stucture of the different grades of Black Chili. We think they have done this very well and makes a sometimes confusing choice a whole lot easier.

Compounds are on a scale of hardness with soft compounds having different performance characteristics to harder compounds. Harder compounds improve the durability and speed of your tyre while softer compounds improve traction and control. In Continentals new range they have three easy to understand compounds.

SuperSoft
As it is Continental's softest and thus grippiest compound in their MTB product range you can sleep easy knowing that this compound will be there for you through the muddiest of conditions. Formulated especially for Downhill and Enduro use, their SuperSoft compound is all about descending and staying in control in adverse conditions. Tires equipped with this compound are for riders with a 100% focus on traction and control.

Soft
Continentals soft compound offers the perfect balance of grip and rolling resistance for gravity focussed riders. This compound is grippy enough for DH while still having enough speed and durability for enduro and trail riding.

Endurance

The Endurance compound has high durability in combination with good rolling resistance and grip making your contact with the ground fast and reliable. The Endurance compound is the perfect choice for XC, Marathon and trail riding as well as being a great option for eMTBers looking for a tyre to go the distance.

Located underneath the outer layer of rubber, the casing is the main protection against punctures, slashes and abrasion. The casing also gives the tyre structure and stability and can affect how a tyre feels depending on the amount of casing material and how it is used. The more casing material used the heavier the tyre gets and the more orientated the tyre is towards descending. Continental have three casings in their new range to make sure you get the protection you need for the style of riding you do.

Downhill

• 6 layers of 110 TPI (Threads Per Square inch) material in the centre.

  Reinforced with their apex material for extra stabilisation and durability.

• 4 layers of 110 TPI (Threads Per Square inch) material on the sidewalls.

Enduro

• 3 layers of 110 TPI (Threads Per Square inch) material in the centre.

  Reinforced with their apex material for extra stabilisation and durability.

• 2 layers of 110 TPI (Threads Per Square inch) material on the sidewalls.

Trail

• 3 layers of 60 TPI (Threads Per Square inch) material in the centre.

• Reinforced with Apex through the centre of the tyre.

• 2 layers of 60 TPI (Threads Per Square inch) material on the sidewalls.