New Continental MTB tyres: Magnotal - new lugs for all-mountain and trail

Continental tyres for mountain bikes enjoy a good reputation, but also regularly cause question marks over people's heads. Xynotal, Kryptotal, Argotal, Hydrotal and then also Dubnital, Trinotal and Magnotal - please what? Don't worry if you don't understand what we're talking about. This article isn't about cryptic model names, instead we're just going to test the Continental Magnotal. Conti has designed the new tyre for a wide range of applications from dry to wet weather, from hard to loose surfaces and from cross-country to trail in the harder rubber compound, or all-mountain to downhill in the softer compound. Wow, the recommended use couldn't be wider. We opted for a model in the grip compound and fitted it to the rear of a light trail bike.

Continental Magnotal in detail

• Price: from 68,95 Euro >> available here
• Area of application: XC trail (grip compound) / all-mountain downhill (soft compound)
• Available carcasses: Trail Casing
• Available sizes: 27.5" / 29"
• Available widths: 2.4" / 2.6"
• Available colours: Black / Tanwall
• Weight: from 745 g

>> All information about the new Continental Magnotal tyre is also summarised here

The all-rounder among tyres

In the centre of the tyre, the Conti product designers on the Magnotal rely on innovative lugs that are larger than those on previous models. A larger negative tread is intended to optimise traction and the interaction of the tyre with the ground. In addition, a "transition area" consisting of specially arranged lugs was created to provide a firm and even grip on complex terrain. On the outside of the tread, the Continental Magnotal comes with chunky lugs, which, supported by additional sipes, are intended to generate good cornering grip. The only carcass variant "Trail Casing" consists of a single-ply construction, which promises robustness and adaptability in equal measure. A reinforced outer wall is intended to provide puncture protection on demanding terrain. The Magnotal is tubeless-ready and also compatible with hookless rims thanks to the aramid core. While the soft compound is said to be the rubber compound of choice for front tyres, the grip compound we tested on the rear wheel advertises a compromise between grip and rolling resistance.

>> WTB also recently presented the Peacekeeper, a new tyre for touring and trail riding

How the Continental Magnotal drives

A look at the tread of the Continental Magnotal gives the impression that the tyre is one of the faster representatives of the trail tyres. This assumption is confirmed early on in the practical test. The Magnotal rolls extremely well in the harder of the two rubber options, making it a good choice for long tours on the rear wheel. Continental wants to position the model in the gap between downcountry and trail and hits the bull's eye with this product description. Nice: the weight of the tyre remains fully within the green range. Traction is high on both hard and soft surfaces and helps when climbing technically demanding terrain. This also applies to the braking traction - at least at the rear.

>> We tested how the new enduro tyres from Specialized perform on the trail here

As a front tyre, the Magnotal should really only be considered in the soft compound on downcountry bikes. After our test, we don't see it as a trail tyre on the front. The lugs in the centre of the tyre are too tame and the self-cleaning properties on damp ground are too weak. We had no punctures to complain about during the test period, although we did get the Magnotal in tubeless combination with the new carbon wheels from the Shimano XTR range Despite all the love, it was not permanently leak-proof. Despite several technical checks: after 24 hours in the cellar, the air was out. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case with Conti and is especially stupid on road trips or multi-day races.

>> We looked for the best model among ten gravel tyres. Click here for the results.

BIKE conclusion

The Continental Magnotal is a light, fast tyre for high-propulsion trail bikes. On the rear wheel, its easy-rolling yet high-traction tread is definitely worth a tip. At the front, its suitability is unlikely to extend beyond the downcountry sector. In the test, recurring problems with the tubeless seal were annoying. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

Pro

• Low rolling resistance and low weight
• reasonable traction on the rear wheel

Contra

• Application range not as wide as advertised
• Permanent tightness in the tubeless setup