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Kenda Happy Medium Tire

4.25/5 (4 Reviews)

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Product Description

Designed to be fast and agile. The Happy Medium's knob heights and profiles allow for a seamless transition from the tire center to the edge knobs.


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Reviews 1 - 4 (4 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by abrahamfroham

Date Reviewed: April 16, 2013

Strengths:    Long lasting, low rolling resistance, good cornering traction, adequate straight line traction, inexpensive, good compromise rubber compound. The tire isn't great at any one thing (other than durability), but does a great job balancing out the various characteristics.

Weaknesses:    Heavy versus peers, average volume, would do horribly in the mud

Bottom Line:   
Used this tire for almost a year now as a rear on a trail bike. Great tire for moist or transition seasons in SoCal before it gets too dusty and blown out. We don't ride around here when it rains, but assume the tire would do poorly in the mud. I never had the inclination to try the tire on the front, but for long XC on moderate terrain, it would probably work well. I liked it as a rear tire but you will need to get your weight back on the steepest sections.

I used it tubeless and went on via a floor pump, but I had to put a tube in first to set one side of the bead and get the other side formed. After that, it was somewhat difficult but I was able to do it. Once sealed, I didn't have any real air loss problems or blisters, but found out that it needs to have >30 psi (I used 35-40 at 210 lbs) for it to behave in the corners; otherwise it feels sloppy and unstable.

Volume is average; it looks lower volume because there isn't any real center tread but measures out correctly. The rubber feels like a pretty good compromise between traction/absorption and rolling resistance. These tire don't blow your mind on the rolling resistance department, but they also seem to grip better and absorb impacts/rocks on the trail versus harder and faster race tires.

Overall, I'd say the primary target would be someone who wants to lower rolling resistance tire that corners well, wants the tire to last, rides in soil conditions that aren't too dusty and loose, and isn't seeking a large volume tire. Just as the name implies, the tire isn't great at any one thing (other than durability), but does a great job balancing out the various characteristics.

Overall Rating:3
Value Rating:3
Submitted by seb

Date Reviewed: July 10, 2012

Strengths:    the things you'd expect

Weaknesses:    weak sidewalls and weak center tread

Bottom Line:   
loved the idea of this tire and really wanted it to work for me. loved the snappy acceleration and entirely adequate cornering traction, but 30 minutes into the first serious ride on them i got a huge gash in the center tread that sealant would not plug (btw, sealant kept beading up out of the sidewalls...for months). i hoped it was a one-off mishapy and kept riding the tires. but the same thing keeps happening :( so, a great tire for dirt, a lousy tire if you have sharp rocks about anywhere
Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by BookBoy a Cross Country Rider from Las Vegas, NV

Date Reviewed: January 16, 2012

Strengths:    Low rolling resistance center. Outside knobs that grip. Good volume "true" 2.35.

Weaknesses:    No UST availability.

Bottom Line:   
Provides exactly what I wanted for a front tire in loose over hard conditions. The low rolling resistance of the SB8 while able to grip like a Nevegal. The durability and wear of the tire has been excellent. It's breaking in the corners is almost predictable and gets up to speed in the straights with minimal effort compared the Nevegal. I've always like semi-slick tires, but lately the options have been limited. I will buy the UST version as soon as it's available and probably even give it a shot a rear tire.

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Favorite Trail:   Ernie's Connector

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Purchased At:   Demo

Similar Products Used:   Kenda Smallblock 8 2.1; Kenda Nevegal 2.35; Maxxis ADvantage 2.1; Maxxis Larsen TT 2.0; Michelin Jet S 2.0

Bike Setup:   Intense Tracer; Rear: SB8 2.1 UST; Front: Happy Medium 2.35 DTC Tubed
Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by dgw2jr a Cross Country Rider from Davenport, IA

Date Reviewed: October 18, 2011

Strengths:    fast, low rolling resistance, sticke rubber on the transition and edge knobs, grips very well, supple 120tpi carcass, good terrain conformity

Weaknesses:    none so far

Bottom Line:   
I eyeballed these tires for awhile after running on my stock Kenda Kwicks. I liked the kwicks but certainly need more in the cornering grip department and the Happy Mediums seemed to fit the bill. The Happy Mediums are exactly that. They roll fast and they corner hard, even with all the leaves and gunk on the ground right now. Hit a few patches of mud and it still maintained its line. I'm 6' 200lbs and I run the front 2.35 at 32lbs and the rear 2.1 at 38lbs.

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Favorite Trail:   Sunderbruch Park

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $70.00

Purchased At:   JensonUSA

Similar Products Used:   Kenda Kwick 1.95

Bike Setup:   2011 Raleigh Talus 4.0 SS w/ Kenda Happy Medium 2.35f/2.1r
Reviews 1 - 4 (4 Reviews Total)

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