I'm breaking the rules and running an Assegai up front with a Kryptotal RE out back, amazingly confident combo. Definitely prefer the Kryptotal over the Aggressor it replaced. Also I didn't align the logos with the valve stem.
Been on Kryptotals since last spring after maxxis for the last 4 years and they are amazing tires. 2.4 in the rear is nothing to worry about, it was smaller than I have ran in the past but it’s got lots of grip!!
IDK why your subs aren’t through the roof. As always, a video chalked full of useful and honest opinion with some of the sickest riding around. Thanks Jeff!
What I really like about continental is the consistancy. For maxxis tyres sometimes you have ones where your rim is straight, the tyre is set but somehow you still have a wobble from like manufacturing tolerances.
I bought a pair of Conti Trail King last year, and the one I use in the front is very wobbly. No matter what I do it just lives its own life. Out on the trails I don't really notice it, but it would be nice if it was more uniform. My bike came with Maxxis DHR and DHF and no issues with them. Only did the swop because I didn't need all the traction in the Maxxis tires for my typical rides.
for the rear tyre, I prefer the Xynotal over the Kryptotal RE. The Xynotal in an enduro casing is what I would consider a better dissector. More predictable grip, better braking, more confident when leaned in. It does roll a wee bit slower but honestly its a good trade off for a much better tire all around
Hi Jeff, I have actually just done the same personal comparison. I had a 2.6 Assegi EXO and a 2.5 DHR 2 EXO on my Slash 8. I tried the Kryptonal F and R 2.4 trail on the bike, and was absolutely blown away. I lost weight on the bike overall, I gained compliance, I gained expectancy of behaviour, I gained speed, I gained braking and I gained agility. The Kryptonal are so predictive and so trustworthy, I was sticking my bike on lines more confidently, after breaking my wrist 10 weeks ago, than I was with the maxxis previously. In my area in Australia, we have a bike park with very varying ground textures from one end of the park to the other, going from wet, sand, loose, gravel, hardpak, and mud, plus the various large and small slippery roots, rocks, features and wooden curved rails. To say these tyres are a do it all, is truly not doing them justice in their versatility. The tyres do need a break in period. I will also admit, I'm a 105kg guy, so these tyres got pushed, and FUCKING HARD. I was running 105psi in the Zeb 250 psi in the deluxe select shock, EX511 rims rebounds at half way, and I simply couldn't get this bike to give out in areas it has before. I would love to see these more readily available, and a 2.5 variant for the front as well for racing, but I won't be going back to Maxxis.
Just put mine on. The Xynotol rear is my new favorite rear tire off all time. Better than the dissector in every way. Rolls and grips better and has a thicker sidewall.
Great review as always! I've been running the new Conti's since they were released right at around BikeFest in Bentonville last year. I can say without a doubt that the "Endurance" compound, which you didn't test, is the one that has garnered all of the discussion locally, based primarily on the lower price point vs Maxxis. However, that compound on the front is a NO-GO, because of two reasons. 1) It's abysmal in the wet, and not very good even on dry rocks. Too hard. 2) It has a quirky trait where the side lugs and sidewall don't conform to the terrain well. If you're riding in a straight line and hit even a very small raised rock or root that's at an angle to the trail, it won't go over it. The front wheel will slide. VERY BAD issue. I'm not the only one who has noticed that anomaly, and Maxxis 3C doesn't do that. I don't know if it's the harder compound providing less grip, side lugs that are too firm, or a more rigid sidewall with less compliance....or maybe a combo...but there's definitely an issue there, and I've had two bad crashes on total front wheel washes that I've never experienced before on Maxxis tires. I'd love to say that goes away with everything EXCEPT the Endurance compound, but since I can't get the freaking "Soft" compound, I can't say that. Frustrating. So for those reading this, SKIP the "Endurance Compound" and go with soft or super soft. Which...brings up a HUGE STICKING point, which is that you have not been able to get the Kryptotal in 2.4 in Enduro casing with SOFT compound for months now, and they are saying it will be at least August. So inventory has been a big issue, and pushed me back to Maxxis for that reason. Conti was here at BikeFest in Bentonville as a primary sponsor and I was so hopeful that they would have the soft compound and enduro casings, but they didn't have them...in any tire. Huge bummer. So to topple the giant, they are going to have to do better.
To add some balance, and be fair, the Xynotal in Enduro casing and Soft compound...has been a very pleasant surprise. It rolls great, and the big side lugs hook up well. I was skeptical on our "loose over hard" terrain here in northwest Arkansas, but it has really performed well....beyond expectation in fact. And I will say, that collectively our group of Mojo Cycling regulars ALL agree that the Conti's are FAR MORE durable than the Maxxis counterparts with regard to resisting punctures and sidewall slits. It's not even close in fact, and that ranges from 2.6 Argotals to 2.4 Xynotals....and everything in between. So, they do have some great things going for them, which just adds to the frustration of being stuck running an endurance compound Kryptotal Fr that has tried to kill me, if I want to stay on Conti. Back to Assegai until they get the soft compound again. Ugh.
I absolutely love these Kryptotal 2.4 set that I have now. I’m just using the trail compound and these things really grip super well. In fact I just got a two Strava KOMs and a 7th overall on a local trail system in Bend with over 2600 recorded times. So I am sure the tires have def helped in part with my confidence on the corners. The best part is that these tires are only $65 each ($59 when I bought them). I may run a Xynotal on the rear at some point, since it rolls a bit faster, but that obviously hasn’t held me back at all.
I’ve been running the the Kryptotals for a few months now after my LBS owner/shredder was raving about them. Came off Assegai/dissector combo. Really liking the the Contis. Started with trail casing front and rear….destroyed the casing on the rear (didn’t lose air but must have busted it as it became insanely wobbly and the rim was true) LBS warranted the rear. Put an enduro/soft on the rear and a DH/super soft up front. Amazing. Light and fast enough for trail riding….burly and grippy enough for gnarly East coast DH tech runs
I’ve ridden Maxxis tires, Schwalbes, and now the Kryptotals. I quit the Maxxis tires because I kept having quality issues. the cases seemed to separate which caused a ton of wobbling. I can’t say anything bad about the Schwalbes other than they are super heavy. The Kryptotals have been my go to since fall. I have never had a flat with them and I’m probably saving over a pound of weight which, more or less, let’s me run cushcore for free!
that's what I have as well, Kryptotal Re on the rear and the Argotal up front. It's a fantastic combo, especially in adverse weather conditions. The Argotal holds its line super well in the mud, I love it
@@mrvwbug4423 I've since started running a matching kryptotal set on my other bike and I'm sure it's because I have less experience/points of reference, but for the average-joe like me they are literally indistinguishable. The tread patterns aren't very different either.
It may have changed with the new range, but it always used to be that if contis were made in the china factory, they weren't black chilli. You can get caught out with the cheaper rubber in the same pattern. I've always liked liked Der Baron projekt on the front cos I'm still on 26". Always found the really consistent quality, where I've had a few Maxxis that were wonky and imperfections in the mold.
@@alabaster4263 so I should throw away a perfect bike that I love and have built up and upgraded over the years to perfection, just because most of the normies bought into the new stuff?
I’ve been using Kryptotals for almost a year and can honestly say I wouldn’t swap them for anything! I ride in a flint rich area and every tyre I’ve tried up until the Kryptotals have been pin cushions! I haven’t had a single puncture with these yet! Awesome tyres!!
Funny timing, just ordered Kryptotal Re/Fr set after running Nobby Nicks that came stock on my Polygon D7 for two years. I was going to swap the nicks front and rear as the center knobs of the rear were getting slightly worn. But an old rusty nail put at least 4 holes in the rear tire yesterday, so I decided on a whim to try the Conti's.
Great review and great tire combo choices. Personally I almost always run 2.6” and more aggressive tires in front, and 2.5” and tougher casing in rear. I also always run Cushcore inserts the Wide or regular depending on the rims internal width. Please consider a video about tire size and rim width. Obviously this varies depending on how and where you ride but I’m sure many of us would like your opinion.
What are your thoughts on casings? Enduro front and DH rear? Video is always well timed as usual, had these sitting in my online cart for a couple weeks and had a chance to seem them in person for the first time today :) As always, thank you for time and effort put forth!
I just have one ride on a new set of Kryptotal Re/Fr Trail casing Enduro compound and am amazed by the grip and they are very fast rolling. I ran them with tubes since I am out of rim tape so unfortunately Im pulling about 1.7 LBS more compared to the lighter Nobby Nicks and tubeless I came from. On my first climb I really felt the added weight, grip was amazing but, man so heavy on the climbs! Then I immediately noticed they rolled faster on the downs and the cornering grip was significantly better and more confidence inspiring. The whole ride I thought it was going to be a slower ride but was shocked to see my avg speed was higher than the last ride on the old setup. Mine were made in China and I had to return the first rear tire because the two halves of the tread were not line up by about 1mm, really wouldn't have mattered much and the replacements were only off by a hair, so I was fine with that. They are just under 60mm wide on my 30mm rims.
Been running the 2.6 rear on the front and the 2.4 rear out back for about a year now on my Kenevo SL. Coming from Magic Mary and Rock Razor combo. No complaints so far. Seem to be long lasting as far as wear goes. Riding Rotorua NZ.
Had to smash the like like button about 2.4 seconds in. As a new dad, I’m learning how far I still have to go to get my dad puns where they ought to be. Didn’t get much sleep last night, but I still belly laughed at “get straight to the skid marks”… love it!
I found the contis to be miles better than the equivalent maxxis I was running before. It’s almost always wet here in the uk and the argotal up front Kryptotal rear is proving a great combo
you tried the kryptotal front for uk, just bought it and and starting to think i should’ve got the argotal haha, i’ve not had chance to try the kryptotals yet tho
A few buddies here in Phoenix have gone from Maxxis Assegai/DHRII to Michelin Wild Enduro Racing Line to the Kryptotal's and they love the Kryptotal's to the point where I'm going to have to try out a set soon.
Hey Jeff! love the review, comprehensive deep dives are one of the great things you bring to MTB youtube. I think you have a video editing error at around 9:59, where, at least for me, a blue bar with some editing interface appeared.
Received my Kryptotals a few weeks ago and was really excited to try them. Sadly the front tire was faulty and Conti haven’t responded to my email. Not a good first impression with a company
The last time I tried Contis I had the layers separate and the tire exploded while my kiddo was on the MacRide with me. Trail King model I think. I know Bernard Kerr loves the Kryptotals though. Enjoyed the thorough tire thrashing.
Should try the Conti Hydrotal on the front. Been using it for a month now on hard-packed in bentonville. I love it. Dont know why its not being pushed as an everyday front tire. Less rolling resistance than an Assegai
Did I miss a comparo to the Dissector on the rear? I just installed a Xynotol rear and have been really impressed with the durability but the Dissector it replaced did roll a bit faster. I'm looking forward to trying the Kryptotal on the front. It will be replacing a DHRII.
it would be great to have a review like this with Vittoria Mazza tires....I see some people saying they are good on the wet, and some other people saying the opposite...
Got to ride with Bernard Kerr on a group ride and we got our bikes outfitted with whatever Conti tires we wanted. I ended up with 2.6 Argotal front and 2.6 Kryptotal Rear specific, both in Enduro casings. The Argotal has absolutely amazing traction, much more than the Assegai it replaced, but at the cost of a bit of rolling resistance. I "almost" wish I went Krypotal front specific, but since I use them specifically for DH laps it didnt matter.
That’s a very interesting point about running the same tire model front and rear and the front end washing out first always….I run dual Assegai and have found myself in this predicament a handful of times trying to find the limit. Maybe I should swap the rear to a DHR II…
I just got a new eMTB last week (which better last me several years, tbh) and put on a set of Kryptotals as the stock tires had been reported as sketchy at best. Only a couple of rides in, but no complaints so far. Super dry in the Midwest at the moment and the grip was up to snuff. That's about as deep as I can get with tires, which is why I don't post reviews like this one. 😂
I’ve recently made the switch over to the DH SS kryptotal F/R and I’ve been playing with the Xynotal DH SS F as well. My biggest complaint so far is I can’t say I feel as confident with the grip while braking on the steep stuff! That Maxx Grip on both Assegai and DHR-II in the rear really provided me with more braking traction and I miss it at times. These tires however have held up well beyond the life span of a Maxx Grip but I would be sold for life if they had a grippier option than that of the SS.
You should definitely try the xynotal, the tire specific for hardpack dirt. I'm a huge fan of the new Continental, they ride much nicer than the Maxxis I have on my new bike right now.
I've heard from other reviewers that the Xynotal doesn't perform well on PNW trail surfaces, tends to break traction with little warning on moist, loamy surfaces. The Xynotal is basically a rear tire for Colorado
would love to see your thoughts on a Argotal 2.4 enduro soft up front , with Kryptotal RE enduro soft out back. or perhaps a xynotjl enduro 2.4 soft out back. Thanks and keep up these tech vids!
I’ve been running the Kryptotal Rear in DH and Enduro casing on my Rocky Mountain Altitude and love it! Still waiting to find a Kryptotal Fr for the front but my Assegai up front has been more than fine!
This review came just as I installed the Kryptotal(R) on the front and back. This combo was recommended to me by my local LBS. These replaced my Maxxis High Roller 2s that came on the bike.
No! Too late! Spent most of yesterday wrestling with a new set of Specialized tyres after finally deciding on them over Continental ... Now my hands are so blistered I can't ride. (But thanks for the review 😉).
I have over 1000 miles on my Kryptotal Front and Xynotal in the enduro soft casings over the last year as trail bike tires, all the knobs are still attached, and they still have a lot of life left in them. Xynotal as a rear will likely address your comment of Kryptotal Rear 2.6 / 2.4 combo being too pushy. Xynotal rolls faster and slides easier than Kr Rear. This is a nice review.
I've heard the Xynotal tends to be less predictable than the Dissector, especially on surfaces other than perfect hardpack, most especially loamy PNW type surfaces.
@@mrvwbug4423 I personally do not think Dissector is very predictable but probably others do. I find Dissector rails a turn great but then it lets go with no real warning. Xynotal doesn't rail a turn like Dissector but it also doesn't let go as immediately, Xynotal begins to slide a little before it completely lets go. I've ridden both in loam and I honestly don't see much difference between the two in loam. In the southeast we have mostly hardpack and dirt soil rather than loam, but we do have loam in places, just not miles and miles of it. Xynotal is terrible in mud though.
dont see the hype around the contis personally, to me the argo lacked grip in the wet compared to the mary and the krypto fr lacked grip too in the dry and hero dirt compared to the assegai. They do last alot longer i found
I recently switched from a VERY KNOBBY rear wtb tire to a dhr2 while using my assegai for the front. The assegai has the best traction of any tire I’ve ever ran, but the wtb I was using wasn’t far behind, so with more weight usually in back, my front wheel would wash first. Now that I actually have a less grippy rear tire, I’ve been able to push corners a bit harder without too much fear of washing the front out, it’s very nice.
There's a reason why Assegai/Dissector is such an amazing combo. It gives amazing front end grip, and a slightly drifty but very predictable rear that rolls fast.
Dissector is a great tire for dry conditions, PNW got some much needed rain thr last few days and man that Dissector has zero grip in the wet. Just picked up Kryptotal DH super soft front and DH soft rear and excited to try it out. Only concern is the weight coking off Double down Dissector.
This! The venerable Assegai is amazing on the front of my Ripmo AF, nothing bad to say. But since my AF came with the 'Double Ass' combo F & R, I will say that they suck the life out of me with the added rolling resistance. So, I tried a Dissector 3C MaxxGrip DD casing on the rear. Much better rolling resistance, but it's just not holding up in the Central Texas chunk. I think I'm going to switch to the Conti's, Enduro casing up front, DH casing rear. I hear good things.
It would be nice if the DD Dissector in MaxTerra wasn't such a unicorn to find. Maxxis supposedly makes them, I've never seen one for sale though. On my Ripmo AF I run Assegai EXO+ MaxGrip up front and Dissector EXO+ MaxTerra + Cushcore out back. I also ditched the loltastic stock Ibis rims for DT Swiss FR560s.
This was awesome! I'd love to hear what you think of some of the newer Specialized tires like the Butcher Grid Gravity T9 and the like. I'm currently trying these on my Meta AM, coming off the past 7-8yrs on various Maxxis tires. The Connti's were/are def on my radar. Really like how you include the comparisons! Very helpful! As always keep up the amazing work and mind blowing riding! Brrrraaap!
hi, I am running the same setup, only my rear Krypto is 2.4. Why didn't you go 2.4 ? What do you find is the benefit of having 2.6 rear ? My frame probably won't allow 2.6 rear but I really am curious to know
When was the last time you tested Shwalbes? I find the casings on the super gravity to be much tougher than a DD maxxis. I actually wear a couple sets out per season, usually with a dozen pinholes in the sidewalls, unlike the DDs which like to tear open. On the Kryptotals right now, so far amazing, #1 DH race tire IMO.
Nice Jeff, thanks. I ride the Ripmo V1 carbon and am going to be looking for a new set of tires after the summer. For light enduro in NorCal conditions (near WTB) you think the Kryptotal Fr 2.4 DH Super Soft in front and Kryptotal Re 2.4 DH Super Soft in back is right (currently on a 2.5 DHF in the front and 2.5 Agressor in the rear)?
I have the kryptotals front and back on my dh bike and they are really good for a lot of terrain until i hit thick mud then i wish i left the magic marys on. I might try an argotal on the front but i really like magic mary and big betty combo. Never got on with the assegai for some reason.
My chameleon v8 came with DHF front and aggressor rear. Great combo but nowhere near as grippy while climbing tech rooty terrain as the DHR im used to. But its faster. Noticeable speed increase while pedaling with the aggressor rear over the DHR.
I feel like you need a summary on this video with some more shots of the tyre tread. Lots of names and numbers and by the end the information was a little lost.
Just the video I needed, my 2.4 DH casing Dissector lasted only 3 months until it looked like a road bike tire, my DHR II 2.4 DD lasted 5 rides until it got destroyed by a sharp rock, I'm looking forward to try a another brand!
A bit sad you have to bump casing together with compound. Personally I don't really need DH casing, so I'd like Enduro casing but supersoft rubber. I would at least have supersoft in the front, but with these tires I'd end up with DH casing front and enduro in the rear and I'm just not sure how that reverse would feel. I'll have to think a bit on this one...
I have been running the vittoria Mazzas and they are amazing here in the South East where we only ride in the dry and Mud is a rarity but I have been really curious to try the contis. Maybe next season
@@Cassienope have ridden kryptotal front 2.4 - kryptotal rear 2.4 enduro casing soft compound. They were really fast rolling great all around grip but casing was flexy on high speed flow compared to a schwalbe super trail casing
Question. Why doesn't one or more of the bike magazines do a tire chart? If you like a certain tread pattern, the chart could suggest other brands with a similar tread pattern. Yes I appreciate there will be little differences in the tire manufacture wear thickness etc, but those could also be stated. If you are a bike rider who is not clued up and dialled into every aspect component and setting on their bike, and also don't have the time or wherewithal to search through all the bike tire brands and hazard a guess if a tread pattern is similar, it would surely save a lot of time and money and enable better choice. Tires are after all are pretty expensive.
Been using the Kryptotal front and rear combo since their release and I absolutely love them! Fantastic grip and tough as hell. I think when my current rear wears out I might try running the front version in the front AND the rear.
I'd be curious to hear how these Continental tires compare to the Specialized Cannibal. The Cannibal is my favorite these days and it's cheaper than most other tires. It's hard for me to justify the cost to try something else when the Cannibal is so good.
I have had kryptotals on for over a year and they have been amazing. They grip great and have about 75% life in them (super soft compound) compared to a maxxis tire that might be at 40% after a season. Sadly continental doesn’t offer the tires in 2.5 which might appeal to some more riders
I've been a big fan of Continental for a long time. I've ridden Der Barons, Der Kaisers, Mud Kings, Mountain Kings, and Trail Kings. When they wear out I'm looking forward to trying out these Kryptotals or Argotals.
My Intense is my daily all around use bike other then my Ebike conversion.. so there's asphalt as well as all weather.. all that said which tires can handle road as much as rocky terrain unlike anything seen in your video? i'm in Chico California and ride upper park a lot, if that helps any..
Jeff. Giving us the reviews we actually need!
I'm breaking the rules and running an Assegai up front with a Kryptotal RE out back, amazingly confident combo. Definitely prefer the Kryptotal over the Aggressor it replaced. Also I didn't align the logos with the valve stem.
😂
I like this guy
😂
I cannot deal with that much insanity 🤣
So stoked that I read this! I have THE SAME SET UP! My logos also don’t line up. 🤌
Been on Kryptotals since last spring after maxxis for the last 4 years and they are amazing tires. 2.4 in the rear is nothing to worry about, it was smaller than I have ran in the past but it’s got lots of grip!!
IDK why your subs aren’t through the roof. As always, a video chalked full of useful and honest opinion with some of the sickest riding around. Thanks Jeff!
What I really like about continental is the consistancy. For maxxis tyres sometimes you have ones where your rim is straight, the tyre is set but somehow you still have a wobble from like manufacturing tolerances.
Agree
Assegai on the front of my bike has that right now
That's Continental's problem too. People have been throwing out their Trail King and Mountain King tires for a while now.
Can confirm this is also a conti problem too. I just gave up and do WTBs knowing they are not that great but the price is great 😂
I bought a pair of Conti Trail King last year, and the one I use in the front is very wobbly. No matter what I do it just lives its own life.
Out on the trails I don't really notice it, but it would be nice if it was more uniform.
My bike came with Maxxis DHR and DHF and no issues with them. Only did the swop because I didn't need all the traction in the Maxxis tires for my typical rides.
for the rear tyre, I prefer the Xynotal over the Kryptotal RE. The Xynotal in an enduro casing is what I would consider a better dissector. More predictable grip, better braking, more confident when leaned in. It does roll a wee bit slower but honestly its a good trade off for a much better tire all around
Could I run a Xynotal up front too?
Hi Jeff, I have actually just done the same personal comparison. I had a 2.6 Assegi EXO and a 2.5 DHR 2 EXO on my Slash 8. I tried the Kryptonal F and R 2.4 trail on the bike, and was absolutely blown away. I lost weight on the bike overall, I gained compliance, I gained expectancy of behaviour, I gained speed, I gained braking and I gained agility. The Kryptonal are so predictive and so trustworthy, I was sticking my bike on lines more confidently, after breaking my wrist 10 weeks ago, than I was with the maxxis previously. In my area in Australia, we have a bike park with very varying ground textures from one end of the park to the other, going from wet, sand, loose, gravel, hardpak, and mud, plus the various large and small slippery roots, rocks, features and wooden curved rails. To say these tyres are a do it all, is truly not doing them justice in their versatility. The tyres do need a break in period. I will also admit, I'm a 105kg guy, so these tyres got pushed, and FUCKING HARD. I was running 105psi in the Zeb 250 psi in the deluxe select shock, EX511 rims rebounds at half way, and I simply couldn't get this bike to give out in areas it has before. I would love to see these more readily available, and a 2.5 variant for the front as well for racing, but I won't be going back to Maxxis.
How long was your brake in for the Continentals kryptotal?
@@ogmr.c3714 an hr or so. Depends on how you ride and how much heat you get in them.
Just put mine on. The Xynotol rear is my new favorite rear tire off all time. Better than the dissector in every way. Rolls and grips better and has a thicker sidewall.
Great review as always! I've been running the new Conti's since they were released right at around BikeFest in Bentonville last year. I can say without a doubt that the "Endurance" compound, which you didn't test, is the one that has garnered all of the discussion locally, based primarily on the lower price point vs Maxxis. However, that compound on the front is a NO-GO, because of two reasons. 1) It's abysmal in the wet, and not very good even on dry rocks. Too hard. 2) It has a quirky trait where the side lugs and sidewall don't conform to the terrain well. If you're riding in a straight line and hit even a very small raised rock or root that's at an angle to the trail, it won't go over it. The front wheel will slide. VERY BAD issue. I'm not the only one who has noticed that anomaly, and Maxxis 3C doesn't do that. I don't know if it's the harder compound providing less grip, side lugs that are too firm, or a more rigid sidewall with less compliance....or maybe a combo...but there's definitely an issue there, and I've had two bad crashes on total front wheel washes that I've never experienced before on Maxxis tires. I'd love to say that goes away with everything EXCEPT the Endurance compound, but since I can't get the freaking "Soft" compound, I can't say that. Frustrating.
So for those reading this, SKIP the "Endurance Compound" and go with soft or super soft. Which...brings up a HUGE STICKING point, which is that you have not been able to get the Kryptotal in 2.4 in Enduro casing with SOFT compound for months now, and they are saying it will be at least August. So inventory has been a big issue, and pushed me back to Maxxis for that reason. Conti was here at BikeFest in Bentonville as a primary sponsor and I was so hopeful that they would have the soft compound and enduro casings, but they didn't have them...in any tire. Huge bummer. So to topple the giant, they are going to have to do better.
To add some balance, and be fair, the Xynotal in Enduro casing and Soft compound...has been a very pleasant surprise. It rolls great, and the big side lugs hook up well. I was skeptical on our "loose over hard" terrain here in northwest Arkansas, but it has really performed well....beyond expectation in fact. And I will say, that collectively our group of Mojo Cycling regulars ALL agree that the Conti's are FAR MORE durable than the Maxxis counterparts with regard to resisting punctures and sidewall slits. It's not even close in fact, and that ranges from 2.6 Argotals to 2.4 Xynotals....and everything in between. So, they do have some great things going for them, which just adds to the frustration of being stuck running an endurance compound Kryptotal Fr that has tried to kill me, if I want to stay on Conti. Back to Assegai until they get the soft compound again. Ugh.
I absolutely love these Kryptotal 2.4 set that I have now. I’m just using the trail compound and these things really grip super well. In fact I just got a two Strava KOMs and a 7th overall on a local trail system in Bend with over 2600 recorded times. So I am sure the tires have def helped in part with my confidence on the corners. The best part is that these tires are only $65 each ($59 when I bought them). I may run a Xynotal on the rear at some point, since it rolls a bit faster, but that obviously hasn’t held me back at all.
Yes worth the hype, best tires I've run I have Kryptotal Fr front and back. Climb really well, fast, great cornering and grip. Would recommend.
I’ve been running the the Kryptotals for a few months now after my LBS owner/shredder was raving about them. Came off Assegai/dissector combo. Really liking the the Contis. Started with trail casing front and rear….destroyed the casing on the rear (didn’t lose air but must have busted it as it became insanely wobbly and the rim was true) LBS warranted the rear. Put an enduro/soft on the rear and a DH/super soft up front. Amazing. Light and fast enough for trail riding….burly and grippy enough for gnarly East coast DH tech runs
I’ve ridden Maxxis tires, Schwalbes, and now the Kryptotals. I quit the Maxxis tires because I kept having quality issues. the cases seemed to separate which caused a ton of wobbling. I can’t say anything bad about the Schwalbes other than they are super heavy. The Kryptotals have been my go to since fall. I have never had a flat with them and I’m probably saving over a pound of weight which, more or less, let’s me run cushcore for free!
I bought a Kryptotal/Argotal combo earlier this year after doing zero research on them, and have been really liking them.
From what I've been told the Argotal should only be run on the front, that it's basically Assegai levels of rolling resistance.
that's what I have as well, Kryptotal Re on the rear and the Argotal up front. It's a fantastic combo, especially in adverse weather conditions. The Argotal holds its line super well in the mud, I love it
@@mrvwbug4423 I've since started running a matching kryptotal set on my other bike and I'm sure it's because I have less experience/points of reference, but for the average-joe like me they are literally indistinguishable. The tread patterns aren't very different either.
Great video. My only suggestion would be to end the video with a “final thoughts / conclusion” wrap up.
It may have changed with the new range, but it always used to be that if contis were made in the china factory, they weren't black chilli. You can get caught out with the cheaper rubber in the same pattern. I've always liked liked Der Baron projekt on the front cos I'm still on 26". Always found the really consistent quality, where I've had a few Maxxis that were wonky and imperfections in the mold.
26? Dahm you must be a stubborn person 🙄
@@alabaster4263 so I should throw away a perfect bike that I love and have built up and upgraded over the years to perfection, just because most of the normies bought into the new stuff?
Loving these component reviews, its good to get some feedback on product choice from a rider whose been pushing their bike's capabilities.
Riding the kryp rear 2.4 enduro casing here in Phoenix - it’s fantastic
My collar bone almost broke just watching this video... mad skills!
I’ve been using Kryptotals for almost a year and can honestly say I wouldn’t swap them for anything! I ride in a flint rich area and every tyre I’ve tried up until the Kryptotals have been pin cushions! I haven’t had a single puncture with these yet! Awesome tyres!!
Funny timing, just ordered Kryptotal Re/Fr set after running Nobby Nicks that came stock on my Polygon D7 for two years. I was going to swap the nicks front and rear as the center knobs of the rear were getting slightly worn. But an old rusty nail put at least 4 holes in the rear tire yesterday, so I decided on a whim to try the Conti's.
Great review and great tire combo choices. Personally I almost always run 2.6” and more aggressive tires in front, and 2.5” and tougher casing in rear. I also always run Cushcore inserts the Wide or regular depending on the rims internal width.
Please consider a video about tire size and rim width. Obviously this varies depending on how and where you ride but I’m sure many of us would like your opinion.
What are your thoughts on casings? Enduro front and DH rear?
Video is always well timed as usual, had these sitting in my online cart for a couple weeks and had a chance to seem them in person for the first time today :)
As always, thank you for time and effort put forth!
I just have one ride on a new set of Kryptotal Re/Fr Trail casing Enduro compound and am amazed by the grip and they are very fast rolling. I ran them with tubes since I am out of rim tape so unfortunately Im pulling about 1.7 LBS more compared to the lighter Nobby Nicks and tubeless I came from. On my first climb I really felt the added weight, grip was amazing but, man so heavy on the climbs! Then I immediately noticed they rolled faster on the downs and the cornering grip was significantly better and more confidence inspiring. The whole ride I thought it was going to be a slower ride but was shocked to see my avg speed was higher than the last ride on the old setup. Mine were made in China and I had to return the first rear tire because the two halves of the tread were not line up by about 1mm, really wouldn't have mattered much and the replacements were only off by a hair, so I was fine with that. They are just under 60mm wide on my 30mm rims.
Holy crap this is literally perfect timing. Thank you Jeff 🙏
Been running the 2.6 rear on the front and the 2.4 rear out back for about a year now on my Kenevo SL. Coming from Magic Mary and Rock Razor combo. No complaints so far. Seem to be long lasting as far as wear goes. Riding Rotorua NZ.
which compound/ casing are you running on each? Was in redwoods on saturday and deeefinitely need to replace my rubber
Had to smash the like like button about 2.4 seconds in. As a new dad, I’m learning how far I still have to go to get my dad puns where they ought to be.
Didn’t get much sleep last night, but I still belly laughed at “get straight to the skid marks”… love it!
New Dad here. It was the Assegai being more likely to run it in the rear comment that got me.
I found the contis to be miles better than the equivalent maxxis I was running before. It’s almost always wet here in the uk and the argotal up front Kryptotal rear is proving a great combo
My setup aswell and they shine in wet conditions
you tried the kryptotal front for uk, just bought it and and starting to think i should’ve got the argotal haha, i’ve not had chance to try the kryptotals yet tho
A few buddies here in Phoenix have gone from Maxxis Assegai/DHRII to Michelin Wild Enduro Racing Line to the Kryptotal's and they love the Kryptotal's to the point where I'm going to have to try out a set soon.
Hey Jeff! love the review, comprehensive deep dives are one of the great things you bring to MTB youtube.
I think you have a video editing error at around 9:59, where, at least for me, a blue bar with some editing interface appeared.
Southwest rider Phoenix rider with argotal front and xynotal rear Enduro casings ridden irresponsibly. No issues here!
Received my Kryptotals a few weeks ago and was really excited to try them. Sadly the front tire was faulty and Conti haven’t responded to my email. Not a good first impression with a company
Ordered a Kryptotal enduro in March and still waiting on delivery 😅
*it has arrived!!!
Haven't yet watched the video, but in my experience over the last year or so, these are the best tyres I've ever owned
i cant understand why they dont produce the front tyre in 2.6 size ( KRFr and XY) and why dont produce soft compound in trail chase
I like WTB VelociRaptor Tires. Front has super traction when turning. Used in PHX,AZ. Try those in comparison. Nice video
The last time I tried Contis I had the layers separate and the tire exploded while my kiddo was on the MacRide with me. Trail King model I think. I know Bernard Kerr loves the Kryptotals though. Enjoyed the thorough tire thrashing.
Only conti tires i have used are the der kaiser. Running these on my dh bike theyve been really good this season so far.
Should try the Conti Hydrotal on the front. Been using it for a month now on hard-packed in bentonville. I love it. Dont know why its not being pushed as an everyday front tire. Less rolling resistance than an Assegai
Did I miss a comparo to the Dissector on the rear? I just installed a Xynotol rear and have been really impressed with the durability but the Dissector it replaced did roll a bit faster. I'm looking forward to trying the Kryptotal on the front. It will be replacing a DHRII.
Thanks for the unvridled transparency!! Helps me trust you
it would be great to have a review like this with Vittoria Mazza tires....I see some people saying they are good on the wet, and some other people saying the opposite...
I use Maxxis minion dhf on front and rear! Tried and trued!
I see some Woodlot trails. I hope there will be a new video from the Woodlot coming. My fave local trails.
Got to ride with Bernard Kerr on a group ride and we got our bikes outfitted with whatever Conti tires we wanted. I ended up with 2.6 Argotal front and 2.6 Kryptotal Rear specific, both in Enduro casings. The Argotal has absolutely amazing traction, much more than the Assegai it replaced, but at the cost of a bit of rolling resistance. I "almost" wish I went Krypotal front specific, but since I use them specifically for DH laps it didnt matter.
That’s a very interesting point about running the same tire model front and rear and the front end washing out first always….I run dual Assegai and have found myself in this predicament a handful of times trying to find the limit. Maybe I should swap the rear to a DHR II…
I just got a new eMTB last week (which better last me several years, tbh) and put on a set of Kryptotals as the stock tires had been reported as sketchy at best. Only a couple of rides in, but no complaints so far. Super dry in the Midwest at the moment and the grip was up to snuff. That's about as deep as I can get with tires, which is why I don't post reviews like this one. 😂
I’ve recently made the switch over to the DH SS kryptotal F/R and I’ve been playing with the Xynotal DH SS F as well. My biggest complaint so far is I can’t say I feel as confident with the grip while braking on the steep stuff! That Maxx Grip on both Assegai and DHR-II in the rear really provided me with more braking traction and I miss it at times. These tires however have held up well beyond the life span of a Maxx Grip but I would be sold for life if they had a grippier option than that of the SS.
Yeah I am looking forward to trying out 2.6 versions, those in a super soft would be rad.
Justin what's your thoughts 9 no later.
I just mounted up Butcher T9 Grid Trail front with Kryptotal Re Enduro Soft rear. Could me the magic combo
You should definitely try the xynotal, the tire specific for hardpack dirt.
I'm a huge fan of the new Continental, they ride much nicer than the Maxxis I have on my new bike right now.
I've heard from other reviewers that the Xynotal doesn't perform well on PNW trail surfaces, tends to break traction with little warning on moist, loamy surfaces. The Xynotal is basically a rear tire for Colorado
would love to see your thoughts on a Argotal 2.4 enduro soft up front , with Kryptotal RE enduro soft out back. or perhaps a xynotjl enduro 2.4 soft out back. Thanks and keep up these tech vids!
This is exactly what I needed! Super excited to try these tires next! Just have to burn through my current ones 😅
yeah Jeff, let the haters go. I Love your videos, so honest
I’ve been running the Kryptotal Rear in DH and Enduro casing on my Rocky Mountain Altitude and love it! Still waiting to find a Kryptotal Fr for the front but my Assegai up front has been more than fine!
Assegai is a great front tire, a little beefier and stickier, but the Kryptotal has a good feel as well.
apparently the Kryptotal FR is excellent in the back.
I’m gonna pair one with an Assegai up front
This review came just as I installed the Kryptotal(R) on the front and back. This combo was recommended to me by my local LBS. These replaced my Maxxis High Roller 2s that came on the bike.
Any idea what the benefits of running a rear up front are? Interested as may do the same.
@@paulevans1278 overall the grip is better. I'm running 2.6 front and rear
No! Too late! Spent most of yesterday wrestling with a new set of Specialized tyres after finally deciding on them over Continental ... Now my hands are so blistered I can't ride. (But thanks for the review 😉).
hawing the same issue, just didnt order yet...what seems to be the problem with specialized tires? blistered?
I have over 1000 miles on my Kryptotal Front and Xynotal in the enduro soft casings over the last year as trail bike tires, all the knobs are still attached, and they still have a lot of life left in them. Xynotal as a rear will likely address your comment of Kryptotal Rear 2.6 / 2.4 combo being too pushy. Xynotal rolls faster and slides easier than Kr Rear. This is a nice review.
I've heard the Xynotal tends to be less predictable than the Dissector, especially on surfaces other than perfect hardpack, most especially loamy PNW type surfaces.
@@mrvwbug4423 I personally do not think Dissector is very predictable but probably others do. I find Dissector rails a turn great but then it lets go with no real warning. Xynotal doesn't rail a turn like Dissector but it also doesn't let go as immediately, Xynotal begins to slide a little before it completely lets go. I've ridden both in loam and I honestly don't see much difference between the two in loam. In the southeast we have mostly hardpack and dirt soil rather than loam, but we do have loam in places, just not miles and miles of it. Xynotal is terrible in mud though.
Been running an assegai in The rear just to try it seeing I loved the dhf in the rear before. Seems great so far, grip for days
DHRII rear and Specialized Butcher front are a good combo. The Butcher is more predictable and just as grippy as the DHF imo.
Great video. Your earlier vids convinced me to happily convert to WTB. I would love to get your thoughts on the TB/vigante/judge. How they compare
dont see the hype around the contis personally, to me the argo lacked grip in the wet compared to the mary and the krypto fr lacked grip too in the dry and hero dirt compared to the assegai. They do last alot longer i found
im riding 2.6 front and 2.4 back kryptotal its amazing compare to my maxxis before. 💪
I'm doing the same on my Ripmo AF and I love them. I tried a 2.6 rear, but even though the bike is rated for a 2.6, I had way too much rubbing.
Stuff the tyres, I could watch this guy ride all day... thanks for the video.
I recently switched from a VERY KNOBBY rear wtb tire to a dhr2 while using my assegai for the front. The assegai has the best traction of any tire I’ve ever ran, but the wtb I was using wasn’t far behind, so with more weight usually in back, my front wheel would wash first. Now that I actually have a less grippy rear tire, I’ve been able to push corners a bit harder without too much fear of washing the front out, it’s very nice.
There's a reason why Assegai/Dissector is such an amazing combo. It gives amazing front end grip, and a slightly drifty but very predictable rear that rolls fast.
Dissector is a great tire for dry conditions, PNW got some much needed rain thr last few days and man that Dissector has zero grip in the wet. Just picked up Kryptotal DH super soft front and DH soft rear and excited to try it out. Only concern is the weight coking off Double down Dissector.
This! The venerable Assegai is amazing on the front of my Ripmo AF, nothing bad to say. But since my AF came with the 'Double Ass' combo F & R, I will say that they suck the life out of me with the added rolling resistance. So, I tried a Dissector 3C MaxxGrip DD casing on the rear. Much better rolling resistance, but it's just not holding up in the Central Texas chunk. I think I'm going to switch to the Conti's, Enduro casing up front, DH casing rear. I hear good things.
It would be nice if the DD Dissector in MaxTerra wasn't such a unicorn to find. Maxxis supposedly makes them, I've never seen one for sale though. On my Ripmo AF I run Assegai EXO+ MaxGrip up front and Dissector EXO+ MaxTerra + Cushcore out back. I also ditched the loltastic stock Ibis rims for DT Swiss FR560s.
Would you agree with the recommendation from other reviewers to not bother with anything but the DH casing on the new Contis?
Nice review. Maybe you could Check Up the new Pirelli Scorpion race tires for Enduro?
This was awesome! I'd love to hear what you think of some of the newer Specialized tires like the Butcher Grid Gravity T9 and the like. I'm currently trying these on my Meta AM, coming off the past 7-8yrs on various Maxxis tires. The Connti's were/are def on my radar. Really like how you include the comparisons! Very helpful! As always keep up the amazing work and mind blowing riding! Brrrraaap!
hi, I am running the same setup, only my rear Krypto is 2.4. Why didn't you go 2.4 ? What do you find is the benefit of having 2.6 rear ?
My frame probably won't allow 2.6 rear but I really am curious to know
When was the last time you tested Shwalbes? I find the casings on the super gravity to be much tougher than a DD maxxis. I actually wear a couple sets out per season, usually with a dozen pinholes in the sidewalls, unlike the DDs which like to tear open. On the Kryptotals right now, so far amazing, #1 DH race tire IMO.
Nice Jeff, thanks. I ride the Ripmo V1 carbon and am going to be looking for a new set of tires after the summer. For light enduro in NorCal conditions (near WTB) you think the Kryptotal Fr 2.4 DH Super Soft in front and Kryptotal Re 2.4 DH Super Soft in back is right (currently on a 2.5 DHF in the front and 2.5 Agressor in the rear)?
Thanks JKW for this review!
I have the kryptotals front and back on my dh bike and they are really good for a lot of terrain until i hit thick mud then i wish i left the magic marys on.
I might try an argotal on the front but i really like magic mary and big betty combo. Never got on with the assegai for some reason.
I can't hear "structure fire" without thinking... April 6 1992... there was a riot on the streets tell me where were you.
My chameleon v8 came with DHF front and aggressor rear. Great combo but nowhere near as grippy while climbing tech rooty terrain as the DHR im used to. But its faster. Noticeable speed increase while pedaling with the aggressor rear over the DHR.
I feel like you need a summary on this video with some more shots of the tyre tread. Lots of names and numbers and by the end the information was a little lost.
To me they are one of the best tires I had.
Only complaint is that they are a bit to square.
Just the video I needed, my 2.4 DH casing Dissector lasted only 3 months until it looked like a road bike tire, my DHR II 2.4 DD lasted 5 rides until it got destroyed by a sharp rock, I'm looking forward to try a another brand!
the enduro casing isn't as tough as maxxis doubledown
A bit sad you have to bump casing together with compound. Personally I don't really need DH casing, so I'd like Enduro casing but supersoft rubber. I would at least have supersoft in the front, but with these tires I'd end up with DH casing front and enduro in the rear and I'm just not sure how that reverse would feel. I'll have to think a bit on this one...
I have been running the vittoria Mazzas and they are amazing here in the South East where we only ride in the dry and Mud is a rarity but I have been really curious to try the contis. Maybe next season
I also just put on a set of Mazzas, 2.6 front and 2.4 rear. So far so good.
Ive been running the Argotal 2.4 Dh Soft front and rear on my 170mm ebike. Has been sublime in the loam.
Did you compare rear braking to any other tires in the line up? Trying to decide KRE or Argotal DH soft for the rest of my eBike.
@@Cassienope have ridden kryptotal front 2.4 - kryptotal rear 2.4 enduro casing soft compound. They were really fast rolling great all around grip but casing was flexy on high speed flow compared to a schwalbe super trail casing
@@tahoeebikes appreciate it. running super trail in the back right know and figure I'll run DH casing in the back once my schwables wear out.
Hope you get to review the Xynotal too!
Jeff, great review. What are your thoughts as a rear on Dissector vs Kryptotal Rear, grip and rolling.
Almost perfect tyres in Enduro soft but they really need to make them a proper 2.4 or even 2.5 width as they come up too narrow.
Question. Why doesn't one or more of the bike magazines do a tire chart? If you like a certain tread pattern, the chart could suggest other brands with a similar tread pattern. Yes I appreciate there will be little differences in the tire manufacture wear thickness etc, but those could also be stated. If you are a bike rider who is not clued up and dialled into every aspect component and setting on their bike, and also don't have the time or wherewithal to search through all the bike tire brands and hazard a guess if a tread pattern is similar, it would surely save a lot of time and money and enable better choice. Tires are after all are pretty expensive.
Great review thanks Jeff
Been using the Kryptotal front and rear combo since their release and I absolutely love them! Fantastic grip and tough as hell.
I think when my current rear wears out I might try running the front version in the front AND the rear.
Same. They feel better to me than the Assagai/Dhf combo I used to run.
Argotal on front and Kryptotal Front on rear is prob my next combo
@@jaredrude431 - I was considering the Xynotal on the rear for faster rolling! They're all great tyres, so its a hard decision!
@@VeloObscura I have Kryptotal Front and Xynotal in rear now and it works very well
@@jaredrude431 - Good to hear! 😁
Came for the tires…
Left realizing how insane this dude is on a bike
I'd be curious to hear how these Continental tires compare to the Specialized Cannibal. The Cannibal is my favorite these days and it's cheaper than most other tires. It's hard for me to justify the cost to try something else when the Cannibal is so good.
Love the Cannibal as a front, but not rear.
Maxxis is dead to me, on schwalbe for last 3 season but I like to try new continental. Great review.
No one reviews argotal for front please try it its my fav tyre for almost everything. Great in wet n roots
i could not in fact click analyse to begin
I don't remember why I commented this
I have had kryptotals on for over a year and they have been amazing. They grip great and have about 75% life in them (super soft compound) compared to a maxxis tire that might be at 40% after a season. Sadly continental doesn’t offer the tires in 2.5 which might appeal to some more riders
And why? The Kryptotal is wider Then the 2.5 assegai. ( On 30mm).
Hey Jeff,
Can you comment on how big the 2.6 actually is? Also, did you notice any goofyness running the softer compound in the back?
Maybe next michelin wild enduros, specially the racing line ones.
“My favorite peasant bike” 😆👍
Did Continental take some design cues from the Assegai?
I am getting ready for the Continental Divide ride. What tire would be the best overall tire to use. I do not ride crazy like you..
You should try reviewing the intense 951 xc
Just to let you know your Adobe premiere pro stabilisation has gone a bit funky and is showing the 'click analyse to begin' message at 09:59
I've been a big fan of Continental for a long time. I've ridden Der Barons, Der Kaisers, Mud Kings, Mountain Kings, and Trail Kings. When they wear out I'm looking forward to trying out these Kryptotals or Argotals.
thanks Jeff, that was interesting
My Intense is my daily all around use bike other then my Ebike conversion.. so there's asphalt as well as all weather.. all that said which tires can handle road as much as rocky terrain unlike anything seen in your video? i'm in Chico California and ride upper park a lot, if that helps any..