Description:Continental's CrossCountry model comes in two widths, 1.5" for unsurpassed speed, lightness and mud clearance; and 2.0" for extra rubber when you need it. CrossCountry's tread blocks features water-diversion sipes, reshaped chevrons for improved penetration and enhanced self-cleaning, with a more aggressive side profile.
There has been nothing but rain all season and wanted to get setup with a mud combination and I had heard that an extremely narrow rear is actually a good thing in the slop...it will dig down to the hard surface and grip along with maximum clearence in the chainstays for mud accumulation. This proved to be surprisingly true....they even gripped wet grass. I ran this as a rear-only with a WTB Velociraptor in the front. Pumped the contis to about 55 lbs. and the WTBs to 40. I'm a heavier rider so drop 5 lbs off both if you are under 195 lbs.
The day of the race, the sun came out and baked the course so there were only a few muddy sections that these handled well. The course had rutted out sections where I gripped the sides instead of bobmbing the middle and this combination held the off-camber wall incredibly well.
Running that narrow tire deifies logic. But they work really well.
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Submitted by
Elsa Chang
a Weekend Warrior
from Taipei, Taiwan Date Reviewed: December 8, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$24.00
Strengths:
1.5 inch, looks great with my small frame
Weaknesses:
Weight: 470g (foldable)
Bike Setup:
Schwinn frame, XTR, Avid Mag, SID Race Carbon
Bottom Line:
If you really care about weight, don't buy this product. It claimed 390g, but actually 466g in my digital scale.
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Submitted by
Giancarlo
a Cross Country Rider
from Genoa, Italia Date Reviewed: August 17, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
It light and fast to hold the ground very well.
Weaknesses:
price is high and the side puncture.
Bottom Line:
The tyre is very good for holding the ground and you can rely on in the wet too, mine puncture on the side which is bad and I speak to Continental.de and they say light rotts the side and it break. So is a problem as they make it. I get a new one for nothing so I am not unhappy. So you much watch the side.
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Submitted by
Jon.B
a Weekend Warrior
from TX Date Reviewed: August 11, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
speedgoar.com
Strengths:
This tire is fast and holds a good line. The tread last a long time and is deep for a Kevlar tire. It has a nice "feel" on the trail.
Weaknesses:
A bit thin and the sidewalls are not made well enough.
I am only writing because I have read some of the reviews here and I have had the same problems with the side of my Contis giving out. Down here riding conditions are different from the west coast but that seems to make no difference to the durability. Apart from the sides the tire is spot on and surprised me because it could hold a line even with lateral pressure which you wouldn't think looking at the tread. A shame about the sides they should be manufactured much better than that.
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Submitted by
Louis
a Cross Country Rider
from Quebec, Canada Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
The 2.0 is good and works in all conditions. Not as lite as the 1.9 but like the Man said my 1.9 blew the side wall out but the 2.0 is different.
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy and colud roll better.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC, Velociraptor, Onza Houch, Ritcheys
There are a few Cross-country tires and this is for the 1.9 & the 2.0. The 1.9 is better, superb tread that grips in anything with low rolling resistance and lite in the Kevlar. The side walls disintigrated on me. They are like layers of thin brown cotton that unravel..........strange. The 2.0 is sorted on the walls so Continental sussed the problem, but it dont roll as well. The 2.0 is heavier and the feel is heavier but its reliable. A good tire but for the back it washes out on the front.
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Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Northride CA Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$60.00
Strengths:
Great tread, lasts a long time and digs in good. Great back tire.
The tread on these tires is real good it hooks up in most conditions and can cut it in bad mud and loamy soil. Not so good on the front it needs a front specific. Sad about the sides mine split clean out of nowhere! Still no idea what happened. Seems there is some kind of fault but I guess after 2 years Ive got no gripe. A real shame thou there was loads of tread on this one cos I hadnt used it much, 4 flammin turds for great tread but I guess only 2 for weird sidewalls.
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Submitted by
Maz
a Cross Country Rider
from Upstate New York Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
anything that I can learn from
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$18.00
Purchased At:
plaines.com
Strengths:
fast and lite hooks up on anything
Weaknesses:
sides kind of fade away
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer. Bonti. WTB
Bike Setup:
Marin Mount Vision with mavic Crossmax Discs. Xtr.Manitou Mars. 858s.
Bottom Line:
Nice and fast tire that hooks up real well in most anything.Walls are a funny kind of beige color and fade away. they not so much split or pop but mine just started to unravel......bad news. still I got told theyre out of production the 1.9 that is so I only paid $18..hey what dye expect.
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002
Kone Explosive, Marzocchi Z2 BAM Lites, Full XTR, Mavic Crossride Ceramics, etc.
Bottom Line:
This is a great tyre while it lasts but like a lot of other reviewers here my sidewalls have split for no reason. It's happened to other Guys I ride with on the Conti's like the Traction. Unfortunately in thr U.K unlike the U.S.A you get the " it must be your fault C**p ". I'm going with someone else from now on like Bontrager.
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Submitted by
Spannerhead
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
Fast, nippy grippy, good in mud. Xlent forwrd traction
Weaknesses:
Needs to be hard. especially on rocky stuff. Like all thin (1.5) tyres it does not like gravelly loose stuff.
Don't consider it on a kona stinky unless you are just daft..
Similar Products Used:
Wildgrippers
Bike Setup:
Kona stinky
Bottom Line:
This is a pure XC tyre. I got it because I wanted something that could hack the UK winter/spring mud. You can feel the rocks on it, but I would reccomend it to light riders who have light XC bikes.
I say put it on the back with a wildgripper on the front.
If you come to any rocky sections, pray, because you will be going fast when you dump!
Frighteningly expensive..
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Submitted by
karl
a Cross Country Rider
from York, England Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Weight, traction, rolling resistance
Bike Setup:
'01 Marin East Peak, Hopes, Mavic 517s
Bottom Line:
Spring weather is drying the trails enough for these to be replaced with semislicks... but what's the point when they are so light, have low rolling resistance and great traction for the ascents?
Did find I had to pump the rear one to 60psi to prevent pinch flats on my hardtail, otherwise they're surprisingly touch for such a low weight.
You know when you're coming out of a muddy rut and the rear tyre slips 'til it grips? -not with these, the side knobs really grab. Great tyres.
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Submitted by
Kirk
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland Date Reviewed: September 2, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$31.00
Purchased At:
Velo Eccosse, Edinburgh
Strengths:
Superb forward traction and very light.
Weaknesses:
seems to lack 'on edge' grip, the knobs on the side of the tyre not amounting to much, wearing away visibly already.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized ground control.
Bottom Line:
I have the 1.5 tyre. Offers excellent forward traction, gives me forward grip when I need it. Cant rely on it in tricky on edge situations, feather the brake a bit too heavily and the tyre slides. Thought it'd be great cos its so light, but I realize I need a wider, chunkier tyre. Good in dry gritty conditions, poor in deep mud unless theres solid ground beneath to bite. A bit uncomfortable on the bum over roots/rocks due to the small size. Payed £25 for it, not worth the money when there are better, bigger, chunkier (heavier) tyres available.
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Submitted by
Xavier Saint
a Cross Country Rider
from Lawrence, KS USA Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
7 hills
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Sunset Cyclery
Strengths:
Wow, this tire has kicked ass on every terrain that i have taken it too. Awesome on races. Great even just for fun on the trails. Tears up the road!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Continental Explorer Pro
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Moab
Bottom Line:
This kicks ass find one and buy all that you can because I will want a nw one of these after i am done with this one.
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Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Altamonte Springs, FL Date Reviewed: October 19, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
CBO
Strengths:
light(390 grams) good mud tire wears well
Weaknesses:
bad sand tire expensive
Similar Products Used:
bonti revolt ST, Kozmik lite
Bike Setup:
Fisher frame, SX Ti, GT/X517 wheelset
Bottom Line:
I have the 1.5" version of this tire. It is very good in the mud because it has aggressive knobs. It is not good in the sand because it is so thin. Great way to loose rotating weight. If you ride in a non-sand environment these are good tires, if you dont, try another tire.
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Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Bloomington, MN, USA Date Reviewed: August 17, 2000
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$45.00
Strengths:
Traction, treadwear, quality, low rolling resistance for the traction, predictable, low-weight
Weaknesses:
sidewalls might wearout a little faster than some other tires.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
schwinn s-20 full suspension...always changing...
Bottom Line:
Great rear tire in almost any condition. I have not tried these on the front. I have rode this tire in mud, dirt, sand, snow, you name it..always reliable. Might not be the ideal tire in sand because of the narrow 1.9, but makes up for it in other conditions. Hope they don't stop making these.
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, Canada Date Reviewed: August 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
all types
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Grip in every local trail I have riden so far.
Weaknesses:
none that I can find
Similar Products Used:
Michellin WildGrippers
Bike Setup:
'99 Rocky Mtn. Hammer, stock apart from Ring God, IRC Mythos XC front and Conti X-Country rear tire and ShimanoDX pedals.
Bottom Line:
I bought the bike this year and it came with Michellins...this rear Conti gives the bike a whole new ride. Simple as that :)
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Submitted by
mctiny
a Cross Country Rider
from basingstok,hampshire.UK Date Reviewed: July 30, 2000
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
They last for ages, grip well, superb to race on.
Weaknesses:
they don`t last for ever. a bit pricie
Bike Setup:
Specailized rockhopper 97. mavic rims on hugi/middleburn hubs xt groupset, rst mozo xl forks. also raced on a collell crs-xc frame same bits as above.
Bottom Line:
they work,grip and ride well. pump them tough 65-80 psi. best tyre i have raced on as well i ran them at around 70 psi for a cross-country race.
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Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from CO/MA Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
the narrow ones with dirt on em
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Grip, weight, looks, durability
Weaknesses:
i can't think of any
Similar Products Used:
ritchey, other conti's, panaracer, specialized
Bike Setup:
constantly changing
Bottom Line:
the best rear tire of all time. it doesn't like sticky mud that much, but even there it holds it's own. good mix of traction and rolling resistance. i want to ride this tire for the rest of my life.
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Submitted by
Laurence
a Weekend Warrior
from Sinagpore Date Reviewed: December 22, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
good traction on off-road ride good corner handling
Weaknesses:
side wall tear
Similar Products Used:
Revolt ST Jones
Bike Setup:
Giant ATX890 517 with king's hub XTR drivetrain
Bottom Line:
A good tire with low rolling resistance for a knobby tire. The rumbling sound with ride fast sound good!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Pigott
a Racer
from Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA Date Reviewed: December 4, 1999
Favorite Trail:
wherever
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
works in snow
Similar Products Used:
panaracers
Bike Setup:
1991 Marin Nail Trail
Bottom Line:
These tires rule! We had our first major snowfall on Nov. 29, 1999, and my Conti Cross Country 1.5 Tires cut through 8 of snow like nothing!These nimble tires work in gravel, slush, snow, dirt...but not sand (but how often do you need to ride in the sandbox <:).5 stars for such an excellent product!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mikie B
a Weekend Warrior
from MA Date Reviewed: October 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Lynn Reservation
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Excellent wear, resistance to those New England rocks Great traction, wet or dry
These are the best tires for new england rock jumping. Excellent grip on anything from soft woods crusing, stump jumping and rock climbing. 5 burners.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Victor Martinez
a Weekend Warrior
from SJ, PR Date Reviewed: August 31, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Predictability Traction
Weaknesses:
None so far...
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Specialized
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper XTR
Bottom Line:
I use them toghether with the Continental Traction Pro and they are the best set of tires I have ever ridden. Panaracer has a great Customer Service Dept. but their product fails in comparison to other tires. The Contis, grip the ground like a tractor. I can climb cliffs I did not know I could before. They are also attractive to look at. While other companies are trying to shave off weight by making their tires slimmer, it is good to know that we can still find tires at least 2 wide.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AV98
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bay Area, USA Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
High speed Fireroads and Singletracks
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Light weight Uni-directional use Long wear Perfect XC tires
Weaknesses:
Not a good front tire for highly technical singletracks
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Dart/Smoke Tioga Psychos Specialized multiple different kinds
Bike Setup:
Proflex 857 NR-2 Front NR-4 Rear Full XT components
Bottom Line:
These are the longest lasting, lightest and predictable tires I've ever used. I've used these as rear tires initially on 2 different bikes then switched them to fronts. Then I tired both of the same tires on the front and rear, which rocked. Only minor complaint is for the slightly loose control you get when using these for highly technical singletracks. I'd rather use a Panaracer Dart and Smoke combo for those rides. 5 cheesy poofs eitherwise.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dude
a Weekend Warrior
from albuquerque Date Reviewed: June 18, 1999
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
hold air,round,
Weaknesses:
unpredictable hardpack cornering
Similar Products Used:
all
Bottom Line:
lousy hardpack tire choicedok loose mud tire
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve woodward
a Cross-Country Rider
from Brsitol UK Date Reviewed: June 4, 1999
Great tire favourite alround performance. Been using them for years now, can now generally pick them up cheap. Like 1.5 if racing in mud/ winter riding, 1.9/2.0 for summer.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adrian
a Cross-Country Rider
from Leicester, UK. Date Reviewed: May 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Black Mountains, Wales
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
VERY hard wearing, Loads of grip (cornering + climbing), Can be used front or rear.
Weaknesses:
Side walls need looking after.
Similar Products Used:
Smoke.
Bike Setup:
Orage P7, RC 36 EVO I, Hope hubs, Bonty Risers, Shimano DX Thumbies.
Bottom Line:
I bought a pair of these at least two years ago and used front and rear for a while. Front wasn't great, but then they're not really designed for that! Replaced the front one with a Dart and kept for when the rear wore out. That took well over a year - exceptional wear considering I have to cycle 6/7 miles on tarmac to get to any trails. As a rear tyre, the X-country is very good - clears well, great climbing and cornering and has surprisingly low drag on the road considering the tread shape - keep at reasonably high pressure to preserve the sidewalls though.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross-Country Rider
from Warwick Date Reviewed: March 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
it's a secret...
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Grippy Can run at low pressure for max. traction. Good mud clearance.
This tire is great. Pressure is everything, though. With just the right amount of air in it, this tire shines in all conditions, from slippery-wet mossy rocks and scary-angeled berms to gravelly descents, sloppy mud, and hardpack (It even works pretty well in the snow!!) or my favorite rocky, singletrack hills. With a fat 2.1-2.5 tube in it, I get all the suspension I need for my bianchi. It works PERFECTLY with a traction pro up front. Amazingly consistent performance in everything I've ridden through in the last three months. Comfy and confidence inspiring without weighing you down. Buy 'em. (But keep em off of the road for maximum grip and longevity)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a cross-country rider
from Date Reviewed: February 19, 1999
Bottom Line:
This tire is great. I've been using it in the back, with a Conti Traction Pro up front. It climbs well and hooks up well in the corners. 10 chili's for the tire, 1 chili because you have to be as strong as an ape to get it on the rim (or maybe it's the rim I'm using? it's a Matrix Swami.) 5 chili's overall.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a cross-country rider
from Kent, England Date Reviewed: February 19, 1999
Bottom Line:
This is in reply to the abusive e-mail some idiot sent me dur to my comments on the Jones in my review below. Since he used a false e-mail address, I couldn't respond, so I hope he reads this. His text was:Hey about what you said about the Jones' from Bonti, maybe they wouldn't pinchflat if you inflated them to the proper p.s.i. I have had them for 7 months and thye have'nt even come close to flatting out yet. Next time you say something bad about anything, make sure that you used it right. The e-mail address was assh***@standrews.sewanee.eduIgnoring the pathetic use of the English language, the flaws here are as follows. Firstly, I state quite clearly that I used the Jones at the correct pressure, and I give a full review of them elsewhere on this site. This pressure is what Bonti themselves recommend. I have 3 sets of wheels, and have used many tyres over many years on varying terrain, and I used the Jones for some months before coming to the conclusion that they pinch flat easily. I am also not at all heavy, and I maintain my bikes well, always checking pressures. Therefore I feel that my comments were entirely objective, from someone who has used the tyres enough to review them properly. This site should be about objective reviews, and the experiences of others should not be criticised if they happen to contradict our own findings.Also, how do you come close to flatting out? You either have a puncture, or you don't, there is no in-between state!The Conti tyre is great, and IN MY HUMBLE OPINION better than a Jones on the rear at least...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a racer
from Michigan Date Reviewed: December 31, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have owned two sets of these tires. The first set was the older version 1.5 and the newer 2.0 version. The 1.5s were very fast and hooked up great in all conditions (except sand, they are only 1.5s). I raced these tires on several occations and they did very well. I finally got sick of the poor performance in the sand so I went to the newer tread in a 2.0. I can say that these tires are simply the best overall tires I've ever riden. I have found them to be great in all conditions (hard, soft, sand, mud). I originally bought them because they looked like a good mud tire, and I was not disappointed. They shead mud well and really hang on while cornering. As mentioned in other MTBR reviews, these tires are also the best made if come across. I have ridded them for a total of 3 years (both sets) and have never pinch flatted or had any other kind of manufacter's flaw. Oh, and by the way, I've put hundreds of miles on the tires with barely any ware showing. If you are looking of the ultimate all-around CC tire, look no further, nothing else compares.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a cross-country rider
from Kent, England Date Reviewed: December 29, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have used these for 6 months or so, mainly in the wet (this is England...), and only on the rear though Conti do suggest they would work on the front too. They grip very well in mud (2.0) and shed even the stickiest stuff with ease. Cornering is good, though they tend to wash out a bit when braking into fast corners in the dry, more so than the Jones that was on the rear before. They roll easily and quietly on tarmac, surprisingly well given the tread pattern and the grip they offer. Their best feature however is that they seem strong and very well made, I've had no punctures of any kind in 6 months. The Jones seemed to pinch flat every ride, at 45-50 psi, and friends have suffered the same with Panaracers! They also seem to cushion bumps in the trail more than some tyres do, a trait I have noticed with all Conti tyres. I'd therefore recommend them as a good winter tyre that is no slouch on the hard stuff either!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrice denis
a cross-country rider
from Longueuil ,Canada Date Reviewed: November 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
The ultimate xc tire.This tire climb everything everytime.It's light, fast and durable but expensive.The 2.0 version is good only on hard stuff, in mud or tacky dirt it's a peace of crap.The 1.9 version is the best.In soft heart the conti grip so well that your leg bust before loosing traction.The conti lost traction only wet roots and rocks, but which tire grip on
$
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