CONTINENTAL Trinotal Trail Rapid MTB Tyre

Dubnital, Trinotal or Magnotal?

Pick by terrain, from fastest to grippiest (Continental). Dubnital, the ‘Master of Speed’: dry to damp conditions on rocky, hardpack and medium-loose soils, for cross-country and down-country at speed — it supersedes the Race King. Trinotal: versatile on hard and light mixed soils, dry or damp, engineered to corner and brake better when it gets loose — it supersedes the Cross King. Magnotal: dry to wet conditions on hard, loose or muddy soils, for aggressive down-country, all-mountain and trail riding — it supersedes the Mountain King and Trail King and, Continental says, closes the gap to its gravity range. Dubnital and Trinotal come in Race or Trail casing with Grip or Rapid compound; Magnotal in Trail casing with Grip or Soft compound.

Grip or Rapid compound?

Rapid is for speed: Continental’s go-to option when speed and acceleration on the flat and on climbs are all that matters, inspired by its road, race and gravel compounds. Grip is the all-rounder: an excellent balance of grip and rolling resistance for cross-country, down-country, trail and gravel riding, and Continental’s number-one choice for balanced characteristics. Both include BlackChili. Continental’s own shorthand: Race casing with Rapid compound for all-out speed, Trail casing with Grip compound for grip and confidence — and the Dubnital and Trinotal are made in all four combinations.

Race or Trail casing?

Race is Continental’s lightest and fastest MTB construction — a light, supple one-ply build for cross-country and down-country racing. Trail is adaptive and robust, with a reinforced sidewall and crown for demanding down-country and trail riding and, Continental says, superb puncture protection. Both are 3/330 TPI, Tubeless Ready and hookless compatible to their limited maximum pressure. The difference shows on the scale: a black Trinotal 29x2.40 with Grip compound weighs 700 g with the Race casing against 740 g with the Trail casing (Continental’s figures).

Is this Continental tyre hookless compatible?

Yes, within limits. Continental’s catalogue states that this tyre is hookless compatible to its limited maximum pressure and asks you to check the wheel manufacturer’s instructions and the tyre packaging. The packaging lists the maximum inflation pressure and the maximum inner rim width, which can differ between hooked and hookless rims.

How do I set up a Continental TR tyre tubeless — and can I use an inner tube?

Both work: Continental designs its Tubeless Ready (TR) tyres to run tubeless or with an inner tube. For the first tubeless mounting it recommends at least 30 ml of Conti RevoSealant per tyre; spin the wheel to spread the sealant, pump to the allowed maximum pressure, and check the pressure again before your next ride.