Why are Continentals so cheap at Halfords?

Shooting mike

Hi, Recently upgraded my bike to something half decent (Carerra Vulcan 2012) and have been looking around on here doing research into tyres etc. and the eternal question - which is the best all rounder.

As a result, I've already let some PSI out for better grip but was reading about Continentals and how expensive they are. So out of curiosity I just looked on Halfords website and they are selling rubber queens / new mountain kings for about 15 to 16 quid, going up to about 23 if I recall for bigger widths. Now I know they have all different compounds etc.. but why so cheap? Is it because they're much crappier compunds that don't grip or something? Sorry to sound like a biff but I'm just starting to get my head round all this. There seems to be a bewildering choice of tyres abouy.

In any case, I've gathered that Maxxis Advantage are about the best all rounder for trail riding in all conditions, or maybe Nobby Nic (though some say they slide out too easy?!)

The Rookie

Volume, the more you sell the cheaper you get it, the only folders Halfords do are Conti's and while they have Maxxis as well, they are all wired.

Be sure to compare apples with apples when looking at tyres, the only folder they do is the mountain kings, the rest are all wired.

Simon

warpcow

Volume is definitely a big part of it. Compare most of the big retailers and those look about standard prices for Conti tyres; £15-ish for wire-bead, £20-25 for folding, but then up to about £40-50 for the black-chili, protection/supersonic/fancy-shiznit. I can't say I've ever used a Conti tyre that I really, really liked (although it's been a while). The general-consensus seems to be that the black-chili versions are far superior.

Maxxis ADvantage is a good-value all-rounder in my opinion. Decent grip, weight, size and price (in 60a, 2.25"). The only possible negative is that the sidewalls are a bit thin if you ride in proper rocky areas. They do fancier/stonger versions, but then they're priced accordingly.

bennett_346

They'll be the shitty compound, had way too many of these, the old £15 contis used to be plastic instead of rubber! They put me off all conti tyres forever although i'm aware the Black Chili ones are decent now.

benpinnick

They aren't that cheap. The rubber queens (IIRC) we're £1 over RRP at £16.99. They are cheapo compounds (that don't grip as well) and wire beads.

Beardface

Yep, bought some x-kings from Halfords the day before a long ride (2.35 Nevegals weren't rolling too well) - 2 flats in 2 days. The Nevegals are back on for now!

Shooting mike

Ahhh.. Thanks for that. As I said, from what I've read people don't seemt o be too chuffed with the Conti's anyway but I just wondered why they were so cheap.
When I'm due an upgrade I think I'll look at Maxxis.

YeehaaMcgee

Shooting mike wrote:

Ahhh.. Thanks for that. As I said, from what I've read people don't seemt o be too chuffed with the Conti's anyway but I just wondered why they were so cheap.
When I'm due an upgrade I think I'll look at Maxxis.

Big fan of Conti mountain king 2 here, but in the black chilli version. They offer phenomenal grip everywhere except a damp Llandegla, and roll nive and fast.
However, I'm also a fan of Maxxis, and have heard very good thing about Ignitors.

S-M

I buy my Conti mountain king mk2`s from here

http://www.highonbikes.com/continental- ... x-2-2.html

£11.95 each..

Cheapest i have found so far, i love them to be honest, the mk1 versions were GASH imho.

nferrar

Any non-BC conti MTB tyre is gash IME...