The ultimate tire for all conditions- loose or hard pack and it is consistantly voted a winner by Mountain Bike Action Magazine. This is a great performing tire for most riders.
Downhill wire bead version has 2-ply construction with Stick-E rubber for better grip, and the Cross Country folding bead version is single-ply with Stick-E or DTC rubber for reduced weight
Freeride wire bead version is single-ply with Stick-E rubber and Butyl CAP insert for extra strength and durability
Strengths: great tread pattern and tire sticks to terrain
Weaknesses: weight
Bottom Line:
Overall this is a great tire for the price. It is a little heavy. I recently switched to a Schwalbe Racing Ralph TL Evo in a 2.4. It is roughly 150 grams lighter and is a perfect mix between the nevegal and the slant six.
Weaknesses: None....alright, they are noisy on pavement.
Bottom Line:
I've ridden through two or three sets of Kenda 29 x 2.2 Nevegals over the past 4 years. Bike originally came with Bongtrager Jones XC tires which I found to washout. The Nevegals are huge, have big knobs and stick quite well. I expect they are overkill for hard pack in SoCal but I like the way they feel.
I've been using the 2.1 DTC version since 2008. It is a very confidence inspiring tire due to it's outstanding grip in almost all terrain. I ran them tubeless on crossmaxes and just recently on hope hoops. The type of riding I do is trail to all-mountain and Nevegals are happy on different types of terrain with baby head rocks, ruts and roots. My setup now is 2.3 sticky-e front and 2.1 DTC with modified treads rear on ZTR Arch hope hoops. very happy with this setup.
Weaknesses: More rolling resistance than a racier tire.
Bottom Line:
I use the 2.1" 120 tpi version of this tire on the front of a hardtail.
I bought this tire while training for a 50-mile MTB race that included an extended descent on singletrack with a lot of loose rock on it. I wanted more grip than the previous tire, and was hoping not to increase my front wheel's rolling resistance too much. It definitely grips better than other tires I've had on the front of this bike, and while I don't have many times for the course where I was competing, I didn't go any slower than I had with the previous tire on the climbs, while I did see a marginal increase in my speed on the descent. Since my race was a lot longer than my training rides there and I did the descent about four hours in, I'm pretty happy with that result. It's also good in mud, and tracks well over wet roots and rocks.
Strengths: Great front tire for Southern California. The Nevegal holds up good in the corners. The only time I've had it washout is when my tire presure was too high.
Weaknesses: I don't like it for the rear tire. I've tired it as a rear tire, but I like the Kenda Karma for the rear. It does seem alittle slow, but that doesn't bother me
Bottom Line:
For me, the Nevegal holds great. It inspires confidence. I'll continue to use it as a front tire.
Weaknesses: Breaks free on climbs, noisy on pavement
Bottom Line:
29er 2.2
I read a lot of reviews about the traction, but I really only feel that in the tracking area. In my experience, I spin out a lot on climbs, though I don't ride too often on wet trails.
Really nice on downhill, good feel over rocks and roots.
I'll sacrifice some hardpack performance for not washing out the front tire.
Strengths: Traction in wet/muddy conditions; price (got a set for a steal - less than $30 a piece, shipped)
Weaknesses: Weight?
Bottom Line:
I am running a 2.2" Nevegal on the back of my Jabberwocky, and a 2.3" Exiwolf on the front. My bike sounds like a monster truck when I am on hard pack, or pavement, and I'm ok with that. Both tires are setup ghetto tubeless on DT Swiss M1800 29er wheels. I'm running 28 psi (I'm a clyde at ~240lbs) in the Nevegal.
I have put about 100 miles on the bike/tires so far, and was getting ready to write a review that was less than stellar, until I rode today. I had ridden every other time in dry conditions, with loose leaves, etc, on the trail, and was less than impressed with how easily the tire would break loose.
Well, it rained hard here yesterday and today, and against my better judgement, I hit the trail. The bike handled amazingly. In 20 miles, covering lots of roots and rocks, I didn't feel that rear tire break loose when I needed it one time. I was floored with how good the traction was on the climbs.
So, my rating for dry-pack is 1-2 chili's - for the wet stuff, I'd have to give 5!!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rooney
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincoln, RI, USA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2012
Strengths: Grippy, Confident
Weaknesses: Slow roller
Bottom Line:
My bike came with 2.1 kenda komodos, which in hindsight were awful. A month ago, i noticed my rear treads weren't doing so well (finally), so i wanted to buy a decent tire for the front, and transfer my old front to the back. I read many reviews, and shopped many stores before selecting this tire. and despite the price being pretty high (i wanted to buy from a shop, not online) , i made a great choice. Having this new tire on the front really helps going down steeper rocks, because it holds the bike so well. Just point the bike in any direction, and it pulls the bike through the turns.
Of course, it has more rolling resistance than i'm used to, but i knew that before i bought it. If you're not a racer, then i couldn't see any problems with this tire.
Submitted by
MGK
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Maria, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2012
Strengths: Aggressive look.
Weaknesses: I put the Kenda Nevegal 26x2.35 on my mountain bike. Ran them twice and took them off! These tires are very slow rolling, up and down hill. YES... down hill. They do stick but way to much work to turn these thinks. I really dont know if other sizes are better but I do know I will never buy the 2.35 for my king of riding (hard pack and rocky) If I was just a down hiller, maybe I would like these tires.
Bottom Line:
For the money, if you ride up hill (not dropped off at the top) I would not run the Kenda Nevegal's 2.35's.
Submitted by
MTBStromlo
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2012
Strengths: - Good grip all-round, especially when cornering.
- Lightish weight for a big tyre.
- Great in mud, sheds mud very well.
Weaknesses: - Light weight comes from thin sidewalls.
- Slow on asphalt.
- Very fast wearing.
Bottom Line:
It must be understood that the Nevegals belong in the dirt, where rolling resistance is not an issue and wear is minimal. I've had to ride the Nevegals on pavement many times, and its sloooow, and i see the tyres wear down after every ride. So what... the tyres are great off road, especially in the wet, no so much on loose stuff though.
Bottom line is if you want a tyre that does well in all off road conditions, go for the Nevegal.
Submitted by
Kayton
a All Mountain Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2012
Strengths: Rolls great, good traction.
Weaknesses: Wears out fast.
Bottom Line:
I would not buy these tires again. When I first put them on I loved them, I've ridden them for close to 3 months and they are nearly worn out. I will buy something more durable next.
Submitted by
tomaskutin
a All Mountain Rider
from Czech Republic
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2012
Strengths: grip is excellent, also in muddy terrain and wet roots ... I've never had a puncture with Nevegal tyres, the tyre really gives u confident even in tough conditions, durability
Weaknesses: a bit heavier (but therefor the sidewalls are not so thin) and it's not one of the fastest tyre on the planet, but nobody expects it from such type of tyre
Bottom Line:
Excellent All Mountain tyre. It could be used also for middle FR. Tested 26x2.35
Submitted by
Twowheelssoar
a All Mountain Rider
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2012
Strengths: Rolls smooth, good amount of volume
Weaknesses: Cornering hookup
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2.35 DTC folding version. Light sidewalls, but that makes for great weight/volume ratio. For $25 on sale, hard to beat, but if I was on less of a budget I would be using some Maxxis Minion DHF's or Specialized Butcher's. The Nevegals just give up a bit on the cornering bite, tending to wash out every once in a while when you don't expect it.
Similar Products Used: Continental Mountain King, Specialized Enduro, Minion DHF's
Bike Setup: On-One Inbred 456, RS Recon, 1x9 Sram drivetrain
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
chuckbuck
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento CA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2012
Strengths: Sheds mud pretty good, lasts forever, dual tread compound is great. The tire is built to last from the casing to the tread.
Weaknesses: Kind of noisy on the pavement on my way to the trailhead, i.e. rolling resistance.
Bottom Line:
Awsome tire. I guess there is a reason so many bike manufacturers and and bike shops and pro riders etc. have run these at some point. I can't find anything wrong with them.
Similar Products Used: Maxxis Holy Roller, Panaracer Fire Freeride (BRUTAL!)
Bike Setup: 2006 BIGHIT truvativ hussefelt, holy roller front nevegal rear, Marzzochi EXR Pro, rhynolites front ditch witch rear (looking to replace)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
tyrebyter
a Weekend Warrior
from new mexico
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2011
Strengths: Won't let go
Weaknesses: weight
Bottom Line:
Review concerns the 2.35 'e' compound version. Ride mostly rocky, loose and mean trails. This morning I can add snowy, icy, muddy to that list since we got a few inches this week. Started my ride with a nasty, loose uphill section that I always lose traction on. Not with this tire; I ran out of steam before the tire even thought about letting go and that was over gravel, packed snow and wet rock. Not the most efficient rolling tire? Maybe. So if your riding includes a lot of pavement, this may not be the tire for you, but if you are looking for some serious grip, this tire delivers. Not the lightest and too soon to tell about durability. Aired up easily without a tube (Stan's kit) though it is not the UST version.
