Our friends from Kenda reached about to see if I wanted to check out the new stuff they have been working on over the winter. So we got them down to Kanuga and spent a few days riding their new products to help them figure out which direction to go with for the future!—Neko Mulally
I pulled the trigger on some of the new tires from Kenda, and I am sold. They are excellent. Have a set of Pinners and Hellkats, both in the lighter casings. FWIW, Snowshoe jump lines are groomed, but their black, double black and pro line trails are nasty. Every trip their before the Kenda's I and at least a few others in my group would tear at least one Maxxis tire. Even their DD tires. The Kenda's came back on the bike unscathed. Really good tires that work and hold up. Maxxis have been making really wobbly tires lately, that for me don't seem to last. I think their quality control went down the gutter.
Another vote for Kenda 100%. Spent an entire year on Hellkat and Pinner ATC casings at places like Angelfire and Silver mountain. Not a single torn sidewall or flat. Granted I'm running Tannus tubeless inserts, but it was Angelfire... You could flat a solid tire there. Best tires I've ever ridden, hands down. Thanks Kenda for putting the time in to make a quality tire.
Agreed. Loved my Kenda Nevegal so much grip but had to switch back to Maxxis. Just to many flat/punctures tires with the Kenda (Summer of 2012 Whistler).
@chriskneeland: Was more a matter of price than taste for danger in my case. Affording downhill season while paying for tuition got me to choose the Nevegals cause it was better to get fresh tires more often than overrun the threads of pricier Highrollers and Minions due to budget restrictions
I'm with ya on that. I ran the Nevegals back in the day. I rode at 3 different mountains all in the same week. And everyday ended with a flat/punctures. Those Kenda's (Nevegal's and Blue Grooves) went right in the trash and I swore their tires off since. But that was a long time ago and I'm sure Kenda's are much better now. But I'm in love with my Michelin DH34's. When I find something that works perfectly, I tend to stick with it.
The old Nevegal (~2010) in Stick-E compound was one of very few tires with soft rubber in non-DH casing back then. They were not great, but they were better than most alternatives when riding in the wet.
@gafoto: The "Minion" look that everyone likes to attribute to Maxxis actually came from the old Michelin Comp 16 that was around for years before Maxxis made a good MTB tire:
Just because one brand dominates the market for a while does not mean they have claim to all the most common tread patterns. Maxxis tires are neither cheaper than nor superior to other options nowadays, so everyone should do themselves a favor and (after a little research) try something new!
@grizzlyatom: I never claimed Minions were original or the best. Certainly the most recognizable.
They’re good but I’ve been using some WTB Verdicts that are more durable and some E13 LG1s that are stickier for sure. Both are cheaper too. Lots of good and durable options in 2021.
@gafoto: Yup. Loving my e13 LG1 EN MOPO tires. Stickiest I’ve ever used. That said the new Kendas look awesome too. More choice is good! I’ve had too many wobbly casing Maxxis, so I’m done with them.
@covekid: I have those same tires and they ride really nicely. Kind of a goldilocks size for riding. I’m really curious how they’ll hold up in rockier terrain though long term. You can almost tear the knobs off with a fingernail.
@gafoto: I ride mostly in Squamish and Pemberton (so combo of loam and slabs) and they have worn very well and evenly. The rear MOPO compound does wear quickly, but no faster than Maxxis MaxxGrip. My last Maxxis knobs also tore off a bunch where the e13 just wears down nicely.
I've been having terrible luck with rear tires lately and decided to give the Regolith a try. Absolutely loving it! Good traction and good durability in the nasty SoCal rock. Plenty of opportunities to rip a knob, pinch flat or blow out a sidewall entirely and yet they're holding steady. Can't say enough good things about a company that makes a product that actually performs! Thank you Kenda!
I've had that with Maxxis more than once, so I don't think it's a single manufacturer problem. I think it could be a problem with the supply chain (temperature changes when coming over on the ship, whilst being strangled by zip ties!)
I have not had a set since my nevegals and that put me off awsome in dry conditions but their proprietary blend of eleven silicones and teflons just wasnt the one in the wet!
Cool riding, but this is a kenda sponsored rider, on the kenda youtube channel. this really isn't going to make me buy the tyres, purely because its so biased.
Its posted on his channel. I don't really feel this was a "direct" commercial of any sort, nowhere he said anything about these tires, like that they are the best or "super grippy but felt a bit slow" or even how they performed... No threads or any really relevant information (casing, rubber,...) crucial for any tire were shared or even shown. For me it was a little deeper insight on how top athletes and companies test new products (it was stated that some of the tires might not be ever produced) and because of that I find it pretty interesting!
FANTASTIC @jason475
Just to many flat/punctures tires with the Kenda (Summer of 2012 Whistler).
www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/tyres/mountain-bike-tyres/michelin-comp-16-2-2-review
Just because one brand dominates the market for a while does not mean they have claim to all the most common tread patterns. Maxxis tires are neither cheaper than nor superior to other options nowadays, so everyone should do themselves a favor and (after a little research) try something new!
I never claimed Minions were original or the best. Certainly the most recognizable.
They’re good but I’ve been using some WTB Verdicts that are more durable and some E13 LG1s that are stickier for sure. Both are cheaper too. Lots of good and durable options in 2021.
I have those same tires and they ride really nicely. Kind of a goldilocks size for riding. I’m really curious how they’ll hold up in rockier terrain though long term. You can almost tear the knobs off with a fingernail.