Best tire ever- shocking amount of traction, puncture protection, and obviously super fast. I run it out back on my mountain bike and up front on my gravel bike. Now we just need some bigger versions.
I use these tires on my hardtail MTB for hardpack and fast courses as well as longer distance events where others are on gravel bikes. it is incredibly fast, but hates off-camber (because of its round profile i think) and it is also clearly not made for any slippery mud surfaces. Love the thing for how fast it is though. For XC MTB stuff i use the Mezcal-Barzo combo, or double Barzo when its muddy.
Would really like to get a review on the Vittoria Barzo XC Race tyre… this seems to be a really popular tyre in the XC races I’ve been to so far this winter
Ive been using Raceking since 2015 and up until now it is still my Gold standard for fast rolling Tires and no other xc tire comes close to Conti Race King
I’m running my last set of Geax AKA tyres on my mtb/gravel 29er….before Vittoria were Vittoria they were known as Geax and made some epic XC tyres, tubeless, multi compound, good sidewalls and really light….cant seem to get them anymore even with new-old-stock vendors….ah well. Nice honest review of a tyres capability, cheers for the info 👍
@@coonepaul I bloody loved Geax tyres back in the day. Some of their late 90s green and grey stuff was awesome. TBH most of the tyres from that date would make awesome ‘gravel’ tyres now
Ive been running them since they were 26". I think tyres that dont have much grip just need you to learn when its not at its best and compensate for it. Oh and i tried it on my gravel bike and it got me trying to ride things i shouldnt and and it then wasnt much fun. So i went back to my 45mm kendas.
I've been running Cross Kings this winter and whilst they aren't bad tires per say, I'm feeling a little uninspired by them. I ran Mezcals last year and they made my xc hardtail a lot more fun on the non-technical stuff. Should I be looking at fitting some Race Kings to the hardtail come Spring, or what else would you be looking at? (or back to Mezcals?)
Very curious about your Cross King review. Been meaning to try. Could be a sweet combo with this on the rear. The rumor is they will bring out a 2.4 width option and update the 2.2 to be truer to size 2.25. What do you think of a 2.4 version on a gravel bike, like on a Cotic Cascade or Salsa Cutthroat?
@@mellissanash7517 I’ll get it done ASAP but bottom line is that the Cross King is just OK. It’s not as fast as Rocket Ron / Racing Ray and no more grippy. Plus the sizing is old school like you say yet it still costs a ton. You’d get very similar performance from a Spesh Fast Trak for half the money
@@GuyKesTV I usually buy Conti tires when on sale or overseas from Spain as they usually around $30-35usd on sale, which is a sweet price. If I can get a fast trak at $20, count me in.
Doesn't Tom Pidcock use these in a 2.4? Conti need to make them available to the general public as they're falling behind the trend of using 2.35-2.4 XC tyres.
2.4 with a different compound apparently. I went into detail on the first and second edits and then forgot on the 3rd but the rest of it was much better and I was in a rush. Sorry.
Dylan Johnson took 10th place using these tires at the 200mi Outbound Gravel Race which is the "Super Bowl" of Gravel races. The Race Kings actually roll faster than nearly all Gravel tires. I will be putting a set of these on my Gravel bike when the current tires wear out.
@@GuyKesTV Keegan also uses the Maxxis Re-fuse, which the slowest rolling gravel tire out there (13w slower than the TerraSpeed, per tire). His strength is that he's much stronger than everyone else. But no matter how strong he is, if he gets a flat his race is over. Hence his propensity to use the Re-fuse (the name came from the tire Refusing to flat).
I run them on my Cotic Cascade. Great fast rolling tyre & grippy enough for my ability. Only thing I’ve had to plug the rear tyre several times with holes appearing next to the centre knobbles. Maybe I’m laying down too many Watts 😂
I think Thunder Burts may be a tiny bit faster rolling and a bit better grip on softer surfaces. Race Kings are tougher and will provide much more mileage
I used to use them on my xc bike, but struggled with grip, im a heavier rider and needed to runner higher pressure to stop them squirming. I got on much better with specialized renagades but i found them a bit fragile. Is there a compound/casing in the race king you recommend for a heavier rider?
Unfortunately they only do the one carcass. Schwalbe do some of their faster treads in a Super Ground carcass which feels more solid. Or I’m a huge fan of the Rock Razor for very fast but very tough rear tire use. It’s around a kilo though
@@toddtucker4602 I ran it both ends in summer (watch the Pace RC429 G Pack video) and with a bunch of different front tires as well. The obvious combo is Cross King front though
This one might be a bit too far for me, don't want to give up that much on the cornering. Still thinking the Rocket Ron will fit my style and my trails. Have I missed the Wicked Will commentary, or is that still yet to come?
FWIW Mezcal is the most popular tire on the GDMBR/TD. I have to assume on of the reason is that tire has a good balance of grip, while being fast enough. A Race King rear with the Cross King or even Mezcal front would be a sweet combo that is still pretty fast if going by the data.
@@mellissanash7517 I have a set of Mezcal on my bike now. Yes, we want a good balance of grip, low rolling resistance and puncture resistance for long bikepacking races. The Mezcal has slightly better puncture protection, while the Race King rolls faster. A very tough call.
Hey... tire question. Does anyone make a decent 26x2.0 ish tire that is tubeless compatible. Use case is xc-trail. I have an old stumpie 26 that needs some love.
@@smithandshortdogs Specialized offers them in multi specs. I just bought a pair of folding grid trail T7 26x2.3 during their Black Friday sale for $49each
@@GuyKesTV AS i said the pressures test in MTB section are not matched to ROAD pressures! Don't listen to this Dylan Johnson guy Watch youtube video "2025's BIGGEST Gravel Tech Trends With Nathan Haas"
@GuyKesTV I had no problems with mine Kes ran it for a couple of summers swapped it over when the weather got mucky. Allowed me to just about keep pace with my riding buddy who is 10 years younger
Best tire ever- shocking amount of traction, puncture protection, and obviously super fast. I run it out back on my mountain bike and up front on my gravel bike. Now we just need some bigger versions.
2.4 supposed to come out around May.
@@haemstah thanks for the intel. I’ll keep chasing Conti for early samples
@@haemstah So I've heard! Very excited about that.
I use these tires on my hardtail MTB for hardpack and fast courses as well as longer distance events where others are on gravel bikes. it is incredibly fast, but hates off-camber (because of its round profile i think) and it is also clearly not made for any slippery mud surfaces. Love the thing for how fast it is though. For XC MTB stuff i use the Mezcal-Barzo combo, or double Barzo when its muddy.
Exactly this. You've got to be ready for the sudden side slips though eh!
I first used the race kings on my sister's hard tail build. I really liked the feel on them so much i bought a set for my XC/trails bike
Would really like to get a review on the Vittoria Barzo XC Race tyre… this seems to be a really popular tyre in the XC races I’ve been to so far this winter
Ive been using Raceking since 2015 and up until now it is still my Gold standard for fast rolling Tires and no other xc tire comes close to Conti Race King
I’m running my last set of Geax AKA tyres on my mtb/gravel 29er….before Vittoria were Vittoria they were known as Geax and made some epic XC tyres, tubeless, multi compound, good sidewalls and really light….cant seem to get them anymore even with new-old-stock vendors….ah well.
Nice honest review of a tyres capability, cheers for the info 👍
@@coonepaul I bloody loved Geax tyres back in the day. Some of their late 90s green and grey stuff was awesome. TBH most of the tyres from that date would make awesome ‘gravel’ tyres now
Ive been running them since they were 26". I think tyres that dont have much grip just need you to learn when its not at its best and compensate for it. Oh and i tried it on my gravel bike and it got me trying to ride things i shouldnt and and it then wasnt much fun. So i went back to my 45mm kendas.
@@philr696 totally agree about skill and awareness being a big part of ‘grip’. Just look at what the best pro racers can ride on tyres like these!
I am very much interested in your opinion on these vs rick xc's in 2.4
@@radek9458 I’ve just started testing both the Speed and SpeedGrip Rick XC in 2.4 so I’ll have a test up ASAP
I've been running Cross Kings this winter and whilst they aren't bad tires per say, I'm feeling a little uninspired by them. I ran Mezcals last year and they made my xc hardtail a lot more fun on the non-technical stuff. Should I be looking at fitting some Race Kings to the hardtail come Spring, or what else would you be looking at? (or back to Mezcals?)
Wonderful tire definitely
Very curious about your Cross King review. Been meaning to try. Could be a sweet combo with this on the rear. The rumor is they will bring out a 2.4 width option and update the 2.2 to be truer to size 2.25. What do you think of a 2.4 version on a gravel bike, like on a Cotic Cascade or Salsa Cutthroat?
@@mellissanash7517 I’ll get it done ASAP but bottom line is that the Cross King is just OK. It’s not as fast as Rocket Ron / Racing Ray and no more grippy. Plus the sizing is old school like you say yet it still costs a ton. You’d get very similar performance from a Spesh Fast Trak for half the money
@@GuyKesTV I usually buy Conti tires when on sale or overseas from Spain as they usually around $30-35usd on sale, which is a sweet price. If I can get a fast trak at $20, count me in.
@ Spesh have been doing some crazy deals on tires recently so you might be lucky 🤞🏻
Doesn't Tom Pidcock use these in a 2.4? Conti need to make them available to the general public as they're falling behind the trend of using 2.35-2.4 XC tyres.
2.4 with a different compound apparently. I went into detail on the first and second edits and then forgot on the 3rd but the rest of it was much better and I was in a rush. Sorry.
Rumors I've heard is the 2.25 and 2.4 will come out later next year.
Dylan Johnson took 10th place using these tires at the 200mi Outbound Gravel Race which is the "Super Bowl" of Gravel races. The Race Kings actually roll faster than nearly all Gravel tires. I will be putting a set of these on my Gravel bike when the current tires wear out.
I'm not surprised, I used the on the Pace RC429 and it was crazy quick. What baffles me is how well Keegan does on Maxxis Rambler
@@GuyKesTV Keegan also uses the Maxxis Re-fuse, which the slowest rolling gravel tire out there (13w slower than the TerraSpeed, per tire). His strength is that he's much stronger than everyone else. But no matter how strong he is, if he gets a flat his race is over. Hence his propensity to use the Re-fuse (the name came from the tire Refusing to flat).
I run them on my Cotic Cascade. Great fast rolling tyre & grippy enough for my ability. Only thing I’ve had to plug the rear tyre several times with holes appearing next to the centre knobbles. Maybe I’m laying down too many Watts 😂
I think Thunder Burts may be a tiny bit faster rolling and a bit better grip on softer surfaces. Race Kings are tougher and will provide much more mileage
@@paulkeavney7657 I’ve not tried Burt’s but RR data would support that. Just getting stuck into Rick XC which should be an interesting comparison
I used to use them on my xc bike, but struggled with grip, im a heavier rider and needed to runner higher pressure to stop them squirming. I got on much better with specialized renagades but i found them a bit fragile. Is there a compound/casing in the race king you recommend for a heavier rider?
Unfortunately they only do the one carcass. Schwalbe do some of their faster treads in a Super Ground carcass which feels more solid. Or I’m a huge fan of the Rock Razor for very fast but very tough rear tire use. It’s around a kilo though
I'm curious if these will fit in a V4 Stigmata with Rudy's?
@@clipsandstrapsjounal hang on a minute
I preferred Aspen's to these for overall speed and grip.
@@Chunky246 definitely for grip. I find the Conti’s are faster rolling though
Sounds like a good tyre for a gravel bike if it fits?
Been using some Racing Ralphs on my gravel bike currently.
27.5 though!
Yep, I'm really hoping they bring out a Protection version in 2.0in as it's only 2.2in ATMO
Yes! Same US gravel racers say if a gravel frame does no clear 29x2.0 race kings there is no point in considering such a bike
Ultimate gravel bike tyre?
If it fits, quite possibly
Hey Guy, how do yo compare these to the new Vittoria Peyote?
@@MilchreismitZimt these every time. Apart from maybe durability.
Did you only run this tire on the rear? If so what did you pair it with?
@@toddtucker4602 I ran it both ends in summer (watch the Pace RC429 G Pack video) and with a bunch of different front tires as well. The obvious combo is Cross King front though
Hi, is it faster than the Vittoria Peyote?
@ yes. Unless you run about 50psi then they’re similarly quick
This one might be a bit too far for me, don't want to give up that much on the cornering. Still thinking the Rocket Ron will fit my style and my trails.
Have I missed the Wicked Will commentary, or is that still yet to come?
I'm thinking taking these Race King or the Vittoria Mezcal to next year SilkRoad Mountain race in Kyrgyzstan.
@@spektrumB these are way faster than Mezcal and quicker than Peyote too
FWIW Mezcal is the most popular tire on the GDMBR/TD. I have to assume on of the reason is that tire has a good balance of grip, while being fast enough. A Race King rear with the Cross King or even Mezcal front would be a sweet combo that is still pretty fast if going by the data.
@@mellissanash7517 I have a set of Mezcal on my bike now. Yes, we want a good balance of grip, low rolling resistance and puncture resistance for long bikepacking races. The Mezcal has slightly better puncture protection, while the Race King rolls faster. A very tough call.
@@mellissanash7517 not the fastest but excellent grip and tough too!
@@goodeggnoggs which casing the XC, TNT or TLR?
Hey... tire question. Does anyone make a decent 26x2.0 ish tire that is tubeless compatible. Use case is xc-trail. I have an old stumpie 26 that needs some love.
Try the Schwalbe Rocket Ron. That's available in a ton of sizes
Specialized Ground Controls are quality and come in 26 for a lot less $ than any of the big name brands.
@@radred512 I looked at them, but I think the 26 are wire bead... not sure how that will work without tubes.
@@smithandshortdogs Specialized offers them in multi specs. I just bought a pair of folding grid trail T7 26x2.3 during their Black Friday sale for $49each
These use to come in a 26in size, I'd say see if you can find them.
BEST GRAVEL TYRE ON THE MARKET
Schwalbe racing Ray and Ralph here
@@chrisleech333 classic choice. Let me know if you agree with my reviews on those
@@GuyKesTVive tried Ralph Not as Fast as Raceking
@@silver_c1oudagreed. More grip though. I think Rick XC might be a real challenge to RK but only two rides into testing ATMO
No it is not faster then road tire lol. Once you adjust tire pressures road tire is 15w faster
@@racittaj there’s some interesting figures on Bicycle Rolling Resistance but yeah, I may have picked the stats that suited the claim 😜
@@GuyKesTV AS i said the pressures test in MTB section are not matched to ROAD pressures! Don't listen to this Dylan Johnson guy Watch youtube video "2025's BIGGEST Gravel Tech Trends With Nathan Haas"
Used one on the rear around 2017 with the protection casing
They're a lot tougher now (thank god)
@GuyKesTV I had no problems with mine Kes ran it for a couple of summers swapped it over when the weather got mucky. Allowed me to just about keep pace with my riding buddy who is 10 years younger