The Kenda Small Block Eight UST Kevlar Tire is an excellent hard pack XC race tire that features 8 Nevegal shaped but smaller knobs across the tire for better bite, and Dual Tread Compound (DTC) offers cornering grip with faster center line acceleration. The Kenda Small Block Eight UST Kevlar Tire is one of the fastest rolling tires in the Kenda Premium line.
Submitted by
tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Montrose,Co,usa Date Reviewed: October 25, 2009
Favorite Trail:
monarch crest or porcupine
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$34.00
Purchased At:
price point
Strengths:
light and fast
Weaknesses:
bounce/slide around in rocks -spin a little when clmbing in big rocks
Similar Products Used:
nevgal
Bike Setup:
yeti 575-xt- easton havoc wheelset
Bottom Line:
Have only ridden this tire x 2 (on the back) but I'm amazed how well it grips riding desert gravel and sand-corners great with an ocasional slight slide- I have a nevgal up front and would feeel insecure puting this up there
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
angelotrek
a Weekend Warrior
from los angeles, ca us Date Reviewed: October 2, 2009
Favorite Trail:
rocky peak
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
fullerton bike shop
Strengths:
low rolling resistance, grips great,and brakes well. i chose this tire because i liked the tread pattern and the casing looked like a true 2.1.
Weaknesses:
none so far. will update review later under wet conditions.
Similar Products Used:
specialized captains(ripped four rear tires in three months, last two were armadillo's) panaracer fire x/c(too skinny for me @235lbs)
Bike Setup:
2008 specialized stumpjumper pro frame, custom build. fox f-series 120, shimano/sram drivetrain, avid juicy seven, mavic xm819.
Bottom Line:
i was looking for a fast rolling 2.1 rear tire that would grip and brake well because i'm a heavy guy. did alot of researched and it came down to this tire. i'm amazed with the overall performance of this tire!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Angel
a Downhiller
from Sacramento, CA, USA Date Reviewed: February 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Downtown
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Bobs Cycle Center
Strengths:
Nice tread design, good on the street and on the dirt
Weaknesses:
Little slipping in wetter conditions(as expected)
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Azonic Steel Head Frame, Fox shocks,
Bottom Line:
These tired are awesome. I ride a lot on the street and some on the dirt. Whatever I am doing they do well. In real slick conditions (like after a heavy rain) they do get a little slick in the mudd, but what doesnt, It all on the rider and I for on eam enjoying these tires. A little expensive but seem to be paying off for me!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Iwan
a Weekend Warrior
from South AFrica Date Reviewed: September 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Tokai / Harkerville
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Factory Store
Strengths:
Fast.
Weaknesses:
Not a mud/winter tyre, but it was never meant to be.
Similar Products Used:
WTB, Maxxis, Specialized
Bike Setup:
Used on Racer-X, Moto-Lite and Ibis Mojo SL
Bottom Line:
Great summer / hard-pack / race tyre. Fast with enough grip to give me confidence
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: September 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
any one!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$69.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Man, these tires are scary fast! They don't have as much grip as others I have used but it just makes your ride a little bit more interesting.
Weaknesses:
none yet.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F2000, Lefty, mavic rims, LX-XT plus kenda small block 8's
Bottom Line:
So far so good. Super fast, good cornering( only used on hardpack and some loose over hardpack) Initial bite when hard braking is o.k, but then the rear locks up fairly easy. I'm loving the speed!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Popo
a Weekend Warrior
from Namibia Date Reviewed: September 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Eros Mtns
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Wholesalers
Strengths:
Excellent traction in rocky conditions; very good handling; very low rolling resistance
Weaknesses:
None so far, but probably won't work well in wet and muddy conditions as the small tread will block up easily
Similar Products Used:
Continentals; Maxxis; Michelins;
Bike Setup:
Giant Talon XT/LX
Bottom Line:
Great tire. Will have to wait and see about durability and resistance to sidewall damage.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ozigreg
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane Qld Australia Date Reviewed: August 31, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Daisy Hill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Seems very fast rolling and predictable sliding/ handling charateristics.
Very durable over rocks.
Weaknesses:
Skids quite easily when under brakes, even when a small amount of brake is applied, however this is not a bad thing as it make u ride smoother, faster and with even less brakes.
Clogs up very badly in muddy conditions.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Karma, Nevagals, Blue Grove, Geax Sturdy, Maxis Larsen, High Roller....
Bike Setup:
Used on the rear of both a On One Inbred single speed all mountain set up and a On One Scandal XC race bike.
Bottom Line:
I really like this tyre and would fully recommend it. Tread pattern rolls quite fast and I have used this tyre on the back of 2 bike set ups through some very rocky terrain and also fast flowing hardpack.
As a rear tyre is does skid and slide much more than say a Kenda Blue Grove. Skidding under brakes as mentioned above on loose over hardpack. Sliding with no brakes when railing a corner, it seems very predictable and lets go gently to allow nice drifting. The tyre doesn't just fully let go, making u crash but just a gradual slide that comes back nicely as you exit the corner.
In summary, very fast rolling, durable and fast cornering on the back.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Soaztim
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, az Date Reviewed: July 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Trail 100 area, but not trail 100. All of the many side trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$49.00
Purchased At:
bicycle showcase
Strengths:
Rolling resistance, grip
Weaknesses:
cornering
Bike Setup:
kenda small block 8 in the rear and specialized in the front
Bottom Line:
I bought this tire and was worried about the grip being such a mild tread patter. I ride dusty, sandy dry trails every day. I installed the tire backwards accidentally. After trying it both directions I LOVE it backwards. The grip is amazing. Just stay in the saddle and it won't hardly spin going up sandy silty slick uphills.
I'm amazed. Such a mild tread pattern, but so much grip!
I'm hooked on running it backwards.
Now to find a front tire that works well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Nedzi
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA, USA Date Reviewed: December 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Fort Ord
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At:
Booth at the courgar mountain classic
Strengths:
Very fast rolling, seems light compared to other cross country tires, corners well, great on hard pack and fire roads
Weaknesses:
Tendency to skid
Similar Products Used:
Panracer fire XC pro
Bike Setup:
2.1" small block 8 in back Titus RacerX-100, XTR, Mavic wheels, Continental vertical pro in front
Bottom Line:
Great fast tire for dry cross country in the bay area. This is made for specific uses. For hard pack, fire road and very mild loose pack this is one fast tire for cross country. I think it is a great fit for summer time cross country races when the trails are dry. I got this after I raced the cougar mountain in July-07 which is almost all hard pack or road. The guy at the booth said is was the fastest cross country tire and that allot of cross country racers use it. FYI those tire booths at races have great deals it is a great place to buy tire at 40% off.
As I said this is for specific uses so I am trying to find Kenda Negal to put on now that is has started to get muddy. The small block 8 is probably not a good fit if you encounter mud on a consistent basis. The traction is actually OK in the mud but it retains allot of mud in the treads.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Marshall
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA Date Reviewed: November 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Soqueal demo
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Is an ok tire if you are riding a path that is not rocky or loose at all. Even running it at low pressure doesn't seem to help.
Weaknesses:
Can't grip at all in slightly loose terrain.
Bike Setup:
Single speed hardtail
Bottom Line:
Get another tire unless you only ride paved or very very hard packed terrain.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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