First Look: New Enduro Tires from Continental
If you pop your head into the Continental stand at Sea Otter you will see that the team are really excited about their new tire range. These tires have been in testing for some time now under the wheels of the Athertons, and Martin Maes will be racing on a set in the first round of the EWS in Chile. The team were showcasing new Baron and new Der Kaiser models, both available in 2.4 inch sizes and targeted firmly at the hard hitting enduro market!
Both the tires feature new technology, using a faster rebounding rubber in the carcass itself, Continental claim that the rolling speed of the tire has been improved. Also both tires feature new sidewalls, a reworking of the Apex casing provides more rubber at the crucial tire/rim interface, reducing the chance of burping, and the Apex insert helps avoid pinch flats.
The new Baron is aimed at riders looking for a tire with good grip, and wide spaced knobs, allowing maximum grip in loose surfaces without the squirm of a full spike. It will be a very popular tire in dusty or muddy locations where the wide tread pattern will penetrate well without clogging. The new Der Kaiser is a faster rolling option with very aggressive side knobs, offering maximum cornering traction when pushed hard into a turn!
We will be testing both tires soon, and they should be available in all three wheelsizes in a couple of months. Be sure to watch out for them under Martin Maes in Chile, if any rider can showcase aggressive tires, it is Martin!
Words: Trev Worsey Photos: Daniel Dunn
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