Kenda Komodo Kevlar 26x2.1": All conditions XC tire features fast rolling, low profile square knobs. Multiple tie bars from knob to knob for added casing strength. Non-directional tread for front or rear use. 60 tpi casing.
Strengths: Relatively wide for a 2.1 tire, solid grip in dry conditions, very strong tires, well resistant to punctures, quite durable.
Weaknesses: Insufficient or even bad grip in mud and gravel, tires are quite heavy.
Bottom Line:
I've been using these tires for a bit more than one year which accommodates to around 400 km/300 mi. They've served me quite well and I've been relatively happy with them when riding on dry single-tracks. In muddy conditions though everything changed, tires were loosing grip constantly to the point when riding became dangerous. That's when I decided it's time for something new.
Similar Products Used: Michelin XC tires, other Kenda XC tires and some others.
Bike Setup: Mongoose Tyax Elite 2009
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Submitted by
azonic_alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Colchester, UK
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2011
Strengths: OK knobbly tread
Very puncture proof in my experience - I rode over smashed beer bottles on the road by accident several times and they carried on going unaffected!
Wear life was quite good - around 900-1000 miles on the rear
Made in Taiwan rather than China
Weaknesses: Slightly low profile knobbles which can slide around in mud sometimes.
Bottom Line:
These are good tyres for the price and very puncture proof.
I dont think they sell them aftermarket however but would use them again if they came on another bike.
I run a 2.35 front and rear. I had a Nevegal 2.35 but wanted less rolling resistance. For a 2.35 you automatically have way more grip, so I was more interested in the allarounder. I started to use this tire last fall, fall of 2009, and still have it on the bike (now Sept 2010). I ride this bike primarily, and do road miles on it to get to the trail head. I have not rotated the tires. the rear finally wore out after a year, the front is still good.
I ride this bike hard and the tires are able to be pushed.
They roll over anything and even when the rear tire was worn out it would climb like crazy over anything.
I still have the front tire on and have decided to use the 1-year old 2.35 Komodo for the Pisgah Stage Race. It seems the perfect tire for this area of NC.
The tire has changed names and is no longer the Komodo, but the tread has stayed the same.
Submitted by
suganumayuuji
a Weekend Warrior
from PJ, malaysia
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2010
Strengths: good in dry conditions, cornering is ok, low rolling resistance
Weaknesses: sucky in wet, lasted like 4 months only =.="""
Bottom Line:
cornering is not that good, dint last long, slippery on roots, skiddy on rocks, it's only good in dry conditions, and I mean it, i took it off road when it is bald , it climbs well in off road, but never attempt to try it wet in bald condition, cause you will really slip off. Overall it's a fair one, use it on XC trail is good, but i don't recommend it, as it wears off quick.
Submitted by
jbx tacos
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagle, Idaho
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2009
Strengths: Not too heavy(claimed under 600g), sheds mud well, great in damp soil, decent volume for a 2.1in, rolls fast
Weaknesses: horrible in loose over hardpack, front washes out on occasion
Bottom Line:
I have been using these since early summer and really like them. The tires have good cornering and traction if the soil is moist but when it gets dry and powdery they easily wash out. They are good in deep sand but not so good when there is a little sand over hardpack. Overall they are a good tire but there is definitely better out there.
Similar Products Used: Fire XC, Weirwolf, Velociraptor, Jones AC
Bike Setup: Rigid SS 26er
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Submitted by
broadwayline
a Cross Country Rider
from Caledon, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2009
Strengths: Good in mud, deep terrain like freshly groomed trails, damp sinking leaves, stream crossings, tacky surfaces, good rolling resistance on pavement
Weaknesses: heavy, poor on hardpack, does not inspire confidence at all, washes out easily and does not grip overly well in climbs, but is not terrible either
Bottom Line:
This tire is a good 'all around' tire for an average cycler.
I have put around 1100-1200km on these tires over the past 2 seasons and they still have plenty of tread left.
With that said I never had confidence to really drive into corners or lean into them on these tires on hardpack and 90% of the surfaces I ride in Southern Ontario, they are not good on roots, rocks or dry surfaces.
However they do accell in the mud, damp tacky surfaces, anything wet really or 'deep' unfortuniatly this is not what I ride.
They are also quite heavy, but I see they are not that expensive so it is not too bad I guess for their price.
Have since moved onto Hutchinson Air Lights and am VERY impressed with the improvement in handling and weight loss.
Weaknesses: Not high performance. Tires costing less outperform.
Bottom Line:
Thought this would be an upgrade to my Michelin Country Mud so I switched them out. I was wrong. On a technical trail (some dry areas, some wet areas) with climbs, logs, twists and turns, this tire did not grip as well as the Michelin. If you were just putting through a trail and are not worried about speed then this tire would be just fine. Surely also good if you stick to dry hardpack (maybe with some loose cover, ie leaves, pine needles...), but for fast twists, turns and wet roots and logs I would slow down and approach with caution. Not a bad tire by any stretch, there are just better options.
Similar Products Used: Kenda Klimax Lite, Michelin Country Mud, Maxxis Larsen TT
Bike Setup: Motobecane Fantom Team, nice!
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Submitted by
Interceptor1
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami FL USA
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2009
Strengths: cheap, good for entry level use
Weaknesses: Prone to flats, not good traction in sand or deep dirt, spins on climbs
Bottom Line:
The tires came stock on my bike. They give good traction on average specially on hard pack, but on loose surfaces like deep dirt (like recently plowed fields) it is a little vague when turning, on sand my bike fishtails a lot and moves sideways I have to be careful with the lean angle and steering input or I risk the front end washing out. I tried deep mud and they did pretty good, the spaced blocks provide good self cleaning when spinning, I could always keep the bike moving forward. I've experienced the rear tire slipping on climbs (my suspension is well setup not bobbing, it is the Giant Maestro 4.2). The most irritating with the tires is that they seems too weak in terms of puncture resistant. I run them at 45psi and never had pinch flats, but needle like punctures from splinters and thorns get into the tire way too easy, I had to repair like 4 flats in 4 rides, either front or rear I always got something and the tire is not worn out to say I was running them like slicks. I'll try switching to Nevegals or something else.
Submitted by
Sweeny
a Cross Country Rider
from Mass
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2009
Strengths: Cheapness
Weaknesses: Not as good as tires twice the cost.
Bottom Line:
Good for the money, its generally sold for 25 and for that price you normally get a heap, this tire seems good. Was usin it all last summer wore out a little faster than i wanted, but other then that its decent.
So it all about value for the price with this tire.
Similar Products Used: Tioga, WTB, Huchinson, Michelin
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Submitted by
aballz
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2008
Strengths: Rolls great on pavement, seems to have good grip on loose dirt. Probably decent for any light dirt trail riding
Weaknesses: Haven't tried climbing yet.
Bottom Line:
Great tire so far if you have a mountain bike and ride mostly on paved road. I bought this bike for my dad but since i bought it, i had to test drive it...and break it in a little bit. The bike rolls great on pavement, don't know if it still will if it's more worn in. Seems to grip well on light trails so far.
Submitted by
Bunkfoss
a Weekend Warrior
from Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2008
Strengths: The tire works really well on paved surfaces; wet or dry. Hard packed dirt hasn't really given me a problem either.
Weaknesses: Small gravel gives these tires a workout to say the least. When cornering, I can't lean too hard or else the bike falls from under me. Sand also gives the tire troubles. Also, I've noticed now that my riding has primarily been paved trails, the tires are wearing very quickly.
Bottom Line:
The tires are a good all-around tire; once your experience increases, you'll definitely want a more dirt oriented tire.
Strengths: Works well on all surfaces. lasts long, Cheap. When new dont throw any water.
Weaknesses: They are said that they are bad but they arent.
Bottom Line:
I got these with my mongoose. i drive all kinds of roads. i get about 10-40km a day and they last long. They grip well on wet,dry,mud and snow also even on ice they grip something ! very good tires if you search for good cheap tires these are for you.