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Adhesive from Korbach: Continental Kryptotal Fr
Continental normally reserves its stickiest mixture, the Super Soft Compoundfor the heavy downhill carcasses. But in combination with the Enduro Casing The result is a highly interesting hybrid: a tyre for riders who are looking for maximum grip and the damping of a DH tyre, but want to keep the weight and rotating mass (just) within limits for uphill riding. In this configuration, the Kryptotal Front becomes an absolute weapon for technical banging.
We tested these enduro tyres:
Character and area of application
The Cryptotal Front in Super Soft is a specialist for the Front wheel. The compound is so soft that you can deform the lugs with your bare finger - on the trail, this means that the tyre literally sucks up wet roots, smooth rocks and loose debris. Where other tyres dance nervously, the front remains calm here. The Enduro Casing provides a pinch more flexibility compared to the stiff DH version, which improves the feedback from the ground. Ideal for enduro racers who go "all-in" in races or for bike climbers for whom a slipping front wheel is not an option.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths:
- Maximum grip: The Super Soft Compound offers professional-level traction, especially in adverse conditions.
- Outstanding inherent damping: The tyre acts like an additional 10 mm suspension upgrade; it absorbs vibrations extremely efficiently.
- Trust: The predictable steering behaviour takes the nervousness out of the front end.
- Brake control: The deceleration values on steep sections are excellent.
- Rolling resistance: For a tyre in this class, the Kryptotal rolls surprisingly smoothly.
Weaknesses:
- Wear and tear: The soft rubber is a pure performance product; the edges wear out much faster under hard use.
- Temperature sensitivity: In extreme cold, the super-soft compound hardens faster than harder compounds.
The perfect partner for the rear: Continental Kryptotal Re
The Cryptotal-RE was developed specifically for the requirements of the rear wheel. In the version we tested Enduro Soft variant, Continental bridges the gap between two worlds: enough robustness for hard impacts and a rubber compound that masters the balancing act between decent mileage and good grip on technical uphills.
Character and area of application
The profile of the Kryptotal-Re differs significantly from its front counterpart. The lugs are more massive and orientated at right angles to the direction of travel, which ensures maximum Propulsion and braking traction provides. The test showed that when you drop the anchor, the tyre digs deep into the ground. Thanks to the Soft Compounds (one step harder than the Super Soft at the front), it rolls noticeably more efficiently on the rear wheel and offers a significantly longer service life. The Enduro Casing protects the rim only moderately well against punctures and foreign objects, but remains flexible enough to mould itself to the ground in technical sections. Price: 76,99 Euro >> available here.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths:
- Braking traction: The solid cross blocks also decelerate effectively on loose surfaces.
- Uphill grip: On steep, technical climbs, the tyre climbs like a chamois thanks to the soft compound.
- Durability: The soft compound on the rear wheel offers a fair ratio of grip to wear.
- Rolling resistance: As a rear tyre, you clearly notice the weight and the coarse tread when pedalling - but the Conti still rolls surprisingly well.
Weaknesses:
- Self-cleaning: In tough mud, the rather narrow tread clogs a little faster than on the Kryptotal Front.
Continental Kryptotal Fr/Re Enduro - Facts & Price
| Continental Kryptotal Fr | Continental Cryptotal Re | |
| Price | 76,95 Euro >> available here | 76,95 Euro >> available here |
| Rubber compound / TPI | Super Soft / 110 | Soft / 110 |
| Carcass / size | Enduro / 29 x 2.4 | Enduro / 29 x 2.4 |
| Laboratory test | ||
| Weight / rolling resistance | 1193 g / 40.1 watts | 1134 g / 30.9 watts |
| Tyre width / tyre height | 60.4 / 59 mm | 58.3 / 58.4 mm |
| Carbon copy / Puncture | 390 mm / 109; 582; 392 N | 380 mm / 143; 651; 408 N |
| Practical test | ||
| Cornering behaviour | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ |
| Traction | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ |
| Self-cleaning | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ | ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ |
| BIKE grade | 2,12 | 2,12 |
Conclusion: Continental Kryptotal Fr/Re Enduro
The Kryptotal combination is a safe bet in different conditions and delivers a very successful compromise between grip and good rolling behaviour. No other tyre combination rolls faster in this comparison. Thanks to the closely spaced lugs, the Kryptotal is very stable and predictable, which is also noticeable when cornering. In terms of puncture protection, the Contis deliver average values. The sidewall offers only limited protection against foreign objects. Self-cleaning on deep surfaces suffers from the somewhat narrow lugs.
How Bike tests
With a total of ten different tyres, we went to the laboratory of tyre manufacturer Ralf Bohle, where we measured values for the Puncture protection, rolling resistance and weight determined. The practical test took place in the Oberammergau Bike Park on various routes.
The test in the laboratory
How well do the tyres roll and how good is the puncture protection? We used Schwalbe's test laboratory to clarify these questions. The fast Specialized Eliminator rear tyre and the Maxxis Highroller are separated by over 21 watts at a speed of 20 km/h, 50 kg load and 1.7 bar tyre pressure. There are also clear differences in terms of snakebite protection. While the lightweight Specialized Butcher deflates at a drop height of 310 millimetres, the thick Pirelli Scorpion can withstand a 70 percent higher impact before failing. We test how sensitive the tyres are to foreign objects such as thorns or sharp stones with a triple puncture test. A round spike with a diameter of 1.5 millimetres and a five-millimetre blade are pierced through the tread. The test is also carried out on the side wall with the blade. There are differences of up to 70 per cent in the penetration.
The practical test in Oberammergau
We organised three identical Canyon Neuon:On AL 8 tyres so that we could ride them directly against each other. The test took place in the Oberammergau bike park in rainy weather and with an outside temperature of twelve degrees. On small laps and sections, we were able to compare the tyres perfectly with three test riders. Traction for uphill riding and braking, cornering grip and self-cleaning were evaluated for each individual tyre. Riding stability and damping behaviour also played a part in the overall score. The practical impressions make up 50 per cent of the final score. A further 30 per cent is accounted for by puncture protection, while weight and rolling resistance together contribute 20 per cent to the final score.
Stefan Frey
Editor
