Real world experience with Race King Protection?

Not tried them yet but I have a set waiting to go on. Read nothing but good things including about the puncture protection. Also Mike Hall used a set for the Tour Divide which is good enough for me 🙂

Interesting. I didn’t realise he had died. Have you read this article?

Tour Divide

It states 33% use the Mezcal and only 7% Race King. Maxxis Ikon 2nd choice. Not making a statement but interesting that they break down down use percentages.

I run them on the rear of my 2 XC bikes, one a 29er HT and the other a 29er FS, I'm not exactly light at 79kg and can happily run them down to 23/24psi without any worry at all. From racing XC to hammering Afan on all those rocks and Llandegla with it's sharp pointy bits (in places), not had a puncture or any other sort of failure in 6 months.

The are fast too, like I can cruise on tarmac at over 25kph kinda fast. They grip really well in all sorts of shite conditions, only deep mud is an issue, but then again they only have like 3.5mm of tread from new so no surprises there!

I have a Race King/ Cross King combo on my Scandal.I use it for long distance (60-80kms)  on towpaths, tracks, mixed surfaces. Very happy with it,  it’s super light (under 800g for a 29) goes up tubeless very easily and don’t get punctures. Ran it at about 20psi and it was pretty quick

@Steve_b77 thanks for the comments. They look to be pretty solid from what you say.

Got a few of them too - they'll be ideal for the Reiver. Roll really well on road, I reckon bicyclerollingresistance has it right. Only really OK-ish off road compared to Mezcal etc, so I usually only run it on the back, but I'll be putting one on the front too for the Battle on the Beach in a few weeks.

I have put two or three pluggable holes in the sidewall of them at Coed-y-Brenin over the last few years, so not sure I'd run them on something like the Tour Divide, but the Reiver - definitely fine.

I had a pair years ago. Very fast rolling, sound like a Tie Fighter when doing 30 mph on tarmac which was a nice bonus. I don't remember any issues with getting punctures but I do remember the side walls tearing / splitting. These were from before tubeless was a thing though so maybe they're a bit more sturdy now.

I've got them (650b) on my gravel bike and have been really impressed. Of course it might just be luck but I'd say they had more protection than any of the tyres I've used on it, and they're definitely up there with the quickest. Got to order another pair for this summer as the tread has worn a bit thin. Last time I checked prices were good too. Recommended. South Downs, so not the easiest life.

Thanks everyone. Now to try to find a tan wall variant!

I have Cross King front and Race King rear on my rigid 29er for tarmac commuting and local broken cycle tracks and bridleways. Very pleased with them. Fast on tarmac. Wouldn't trust it on the front in any conditions on a MTB. Braking traction in mud is the most lacking thing, can't tell the difference between it skidding or rolling, but that's obviously no fault of the tyre.

As above, race king rear x king front on race bike - used them for years no problems. Definitely not a front tyre though, but ive never had any issues, and im not a light or careful rider.

Thanks everyone. Now to try to find a tan wall variant

You'll be lucky in the UK, Conti distributors don't have any in stock.

Race King Protection rear on my 29er xc hardtail. Fast rolling, strong, rubbish traction in mud but perfectly good elsewhere.

I ran it tubeless for a year until a puncture on a ride 6 months ago, fitted a tube to get me home and I've been too lazy to change it since then, not had another puncture.