A "ride-anywhere" tire for "ride-everywhere" commuters! Smooth center tread rolls fast and smooth, the side treads provide traction on dirt trails, and the water channels improve wet-weather traction.
Submitted by
Chef Shoes
a Cross Country Rider
from Preston Date Reviewed: November 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Gisburn
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
durable, not prone to soft punctures or snakebites, rode for over 1000 miles approx with plenty of tread left. rode from london to paris with no issues whatsoever.
Weaknesses:
none from a performance perspective but tough sidewall made it an event to put on a rim
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
mtb converted
Bottom Line:
buy it if you want something to commute, no it aint "popular" but its functional and fairly inexpensive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
vneva
a Cross Country Rider
from Burnsville MN Date Reviewed: September 22, 2009
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
OEM Giant Cypress LX
Strengths:
700x40c Kenda Kwest tires came installed on my Giant Cypress. I have a little over 4000 miles on them and they have performed superbly. I rode the MN Iron Man in April the year before last, at 35 degrees F the tires had fine traction. This past year I rode the MN Iron Man in the rain at 45 degrees F and the tires performed well. This past weekend I rode over 100 miles in the Black Hills on both pavement and crushed limestone. No blowouts, No flats, no problems. I am looking to replace them with another set.
Weaknesses:
None known.
Bottom Line:
Great tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alec
a Cross Country Rider
from boston ma Date Reviewed: April 28, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
ems
Strengths:
it was great to get rid of my mb tires and I go a lot faster on these w/ less work,
Weaknesses:
I NOTICED THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES. The wall just blew out on them. I've had them 6 mos. and while I ride every day I didn't ride from dec-feb. so three months of riding and one broke for no reason? going to EMS to try to get an exchange/refund tomorrow.
Bottom Line:
do not buy these. a tire blowout sucks, you can't patch it and walking your bike home is embarassing. looks like I'm not the only one that had a problem. most of the positive reviews are up from when the person rode w/ the tires a few times. tires shouldn't break down in 3 mons. of riding.
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Submitted by
Oliver Klose
a Cross Country Rider
from Bergen, Hordaland, Norway Date Reviewed: December 3, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
dynamicbicycles.com
Strengths:
good road connection
Weaknesses:
came with imperfection that causes bumpy ride, flat after just 300km - a disaster for a "puncture resistant tire"
Similar Products Used:
schwalbe marathon, schwalbe marathon plus
Bottom Line:
i cannot recommend these tires. i have had two different types of puncture resistant tires of the "schwalbe" brand and i have never had a flat - up to 16-18000km for a set! i am a commuter riding 80-150km/week and this was embarrassing. even worse that one tire already came with an imperfection.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange, CT Date Reviewed: November 21, 2007
Favorite Trail:
West Rock
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
rolls smooth and fast, looks cool on my mtb
Weaknesses:
a bit heavy for something that thin
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
07 Spec epic expert, shimano LX-XTR for everything
Bottom Line:
i just started working at a bike shop and i had to ride my bike the 16miles back home (dont have my liscence yet). when i told my boss, he was like, "dude, you need some road tires on that thing". so he gave me a set of kenda kwest tires and tubes for free (they retail for $20 each). on my way home, i felt every bump and crack on the road. it was cool, i really felt connected to the road. the steering was a bit more responsive and the grips was pretty good. i was expecting to skid when i hit the brakes really hard (i have hydros), but those treads stuck to the ground. on the flip side, they are heavy. i have the 26x1.5" which weighs about 585g. i hade kenda nevagal 1.95 on before and they weighed around 535g. despite this extra weight, they still feel faster and more responsive. i train on road a lot using my mtb, so these will help me go faster. my average speed on flats is around 18mph, but with these tires i was holding 23mph steady for a a while. great stuff for $20, or in my case, free.lol i gave em 4 stars because they arent real road tires, but they do provide good performance to people who dont want to spend $100 for a set of tires.
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Submitted by
MIKE
a
from SACRAMENTO, CA USA Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
MIKE'S BIKES
Strengths:
The best overall street tire that I have ever had on a bike. The tire grips the road well while riding straight, very little resistance while on pavement. Tread on the side help grip in the corners at all speeds. I commute to work six miles each way weather permitting. Ninty five percent of my riding is on pavement. Great wearing tire after 2k miles shows very little wear if any. Rubber compund is very hard. No flats yet. The tire is fair for riding in wet conditions if you are careful.
Weaknesses:
Tire is not all that great for dirt trail riding. Tends to slip and lose traction in sand or gravel covered pavement.
Bike Setup:
Vison Recumbent 20 in front and 26 inch rear tires both Kwest High Pressure (100psi). Motobecane with 26 in front and rear tires both Kwest.
Bottom Line:
One of the best tires available for street and paved trail riding available. Great recumbent or commuter tire.
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Submitted by
David
a
from Victoria, BC Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Great all around tire. Performs well on road and gravel trails.
Weaknesses:
I've had this tire for about 2 months (came with my new hybrid bike) and I have had 6 flats already. I am currently looking for a tire that can withstand everyday use for my commute to work.
Similar Products Used:
None...this tire came with my new hybrid bike. I own a road and mountain bike with very different tires equiped.
Bike Setup:
Brodie Energy stock
Bottom Line:
This tire seems to get excellent reviews from everybody, but one review at the time of writing this. If you are concerned with having a tire that resist flats, then I would advise finding a tire with more reinforcement.
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Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Youngstown Ohio Date Reviewed: August 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Mill Creek meto
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Glenwood Cycle
Strengths:
Smooth riding, silent and good traction if you have to go through limited gravel or grass.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Bike Setup:
1990 Schwinn Mirada mtb
Bottom Line:
Recently got my old bike out of the basement and thought about selling it, the old original tires were dry rotted and did not hold air. The bike shop suggested kenda kwest as a better "road tire". This tire transformed my old mirada into a very nice ridable bike . . . had I know this was all I had to do to make it so good, would not have bought a recumant bike a year earlier.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a
from Irvington, N.Y. USA Date Reviewed: July 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
North county-New York
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$26.00
Purchased At:
Hostel shoppe
Strengths:
14 months and 2773 miles and no flats on either tire on my heavy recumbent. Excellent wet weather tire. These are the original tires on the bike. I have bought the same kwest replacements to have as a backup.
Weaknesses:
A little dicey on gravel. They tend to skid on dirt also.
Similar Products Used:
none other
Bike Setup:
26 inch 1.50 on rear and 20 inch 1.50 100 psi kwests on front on a Bigha recumbent.
Bottom Line:
Very durable and strong tire. I should get 4000 miles on these before I put the replacements on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Deutchlander
a Cross Country Rider
from Owatonna Minnesota Date Reviewed: July 9, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$14.00
Purchased At:
JensonUsa
Strengths:
100 psi 60 tpi casing, water channels, low noise, knurled tread on edges makes a cool dzzzzzzzzzz noise when spinning through deep mud.
Weaknesses:
having to fork over more money to get smaller tubes. Not a problem of the product, I'm just a CHEAP A$$.
Similar Products Used:
Hard wire bead and race compound knobbies.
Bike Setup:
Hardtail
Bottom Line:
seriously not a mud tire.... Dzzzzzzzzzzz
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Orange P7
a Racer
from UK Date Reviewed: June 23, 2006
Favorite Trail:
The pavement
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
eBay, £20 for 2 delivered
Strengths:
Light'ish Fast Grip
Weaknesses:
None for the price
Bike Setup:
Orange P7, Mavic XC717 rims with XT hubs, Hardtail
Bottom Line:
Roll really well, quite light, grip is good also. Haven't had a flat yet *touch wood*. They are so good for the money that I am looking for another set on eBay. Don't hesitate to buy these if you want a fast MTB slick for the road/pavement/mild XC.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Lee County FL Date Reviewed: March 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Chuck's Bikes
Strengths:
High pressure (mine I top @ 70psi), able to sipe water, and ame size as your knobbies, give or take.
Weaknesses:
Logo could be more like my Nevegals. Looks kinda of like a box of Corn Flakes...
Similar Products Used:
worn out knobbies... if you wanna buy some more contact me 2....
Bike Setup:
2005 Ironhorse Warrior HT, as much FSA that fits with my e.thirteen products, and a 130mm Marzocchi Drop Off fork. Full Metal Jacket cabling (smooth as a babies melted butter), and Stick-E Nevegals in 2.1 F&R.
Bottom Line:
I was surprised after putting these on the bike my friend sent from his shop in VT. I figured to ride the roads I'd be needing a set of road wheels and the high pressure tires that fit, but these are more than adequate! If you look to give the road bikes fits it can be done (!), but mind that you are carving up a big pocket of air. I imagine that these would work for the street thrasher crowd; all I can do is ride nose-wheelies across the traffic islands when space permits. They stick like poop in a wild bears fur.
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Submitted by
Justen Anderson
a Weekend Warrior
from Alamogordo, NM USA Date Reviewed: February 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Colorado's Great Divide
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Fast, light, quiet. A good all-around tire for commuters that may leave the pavement from time to time.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Just knobbies, these are my first slicks.
Bike Setup:
Hardtail...often with a toddler riding on a rack-mounted seat.
Bottom Line:
These are my first pair of slicks, but they are a lot of fun. I do tote around my 2 year old daughter on them quite a bit and have never had any difficulties out of the tires. They inspire the expected level of confidence in hard-packed dirt, just don't push it around turns or you'll be toast.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gabriel
a Weekend Warrior
from Toa Alta, P.R. Date Reviewed: January 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$14.00
Purchased At:
La Amiga del Ciclista
Strengths:
Strong and ligther than my old all purpose knobbies, fast.
Weaknesses:
poor braking on gravel and wet roads.
Bike Setup:
Mongoose EFX fitted with a Satori stem riser, Bell Comfort seat. Bike is used for commuting more than anything else.
Bottom Line:
I will try to be as neutral as possible. The tires are good and very resistant to punctures when inflated to the 100 p.s.i spec. The bike rides like butter on the road and incredibly strong on dirt roads. BUT, it is the braking capacity and handling that have changed my mind about these otherwise great tires: Last saturday jan 5, 2006 I got chased by two dogs near an intersection. As was about to enter the intersection, two cars approached from left and righ, so I had to stop. the rear tire was stepping on a little gravel, so when I hit the levers, it continued sliding forward so I hit the front lever and the tire locked...flip over! I broke my elbow so bad I needed surgery an can not ride for year. This would have never happen to me if I were using the all purpose knobbies, as I faced similar situations with them. They gave me a very solid ride for an almost mindless trip. With the Kendas I realize now that I had to be more mindfull of road conditions or I could fall at any moment. So here is my veredict: Buy them if you are a very experienced rider or are going to use them for neighborhood/grocery type of ride. As for me, I will go back to knobbies, when I am able to ride again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
will
a
from chicago,il Date Reviewed: May 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
kettle moraine
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
discount bicycle tires.com
Strengths:
solid ride low rolling resistence so much fun in turns and corners
Weaknesses:
haven't tested them long enough
Similar Products Used:
knobies, no other slicks tried yet
Bike Setup:
Trek mountain frame turned commuter
Bottom Line:
these tires are incredible value for anyone with a mountain bike looking to get better tires for commuting or any other on road application,they make dodging cabs a blast. they ride fine through the fine gravel trails and rip along paved paths. IF YOUR RIDING ON THE ROAD DITCH YOUR KNOBBIES AND PICK THESE UP!!
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Submitted by
Bruce Ficklin Sr.
a Cross Country Rider
from Chandler, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: October 18, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$21.00
Strengths:
Excellent rolling resistance, lighter than knobbies, handles well on & off pavement, responsive. I wanted to get a single track ride in before sun set so I didn't take the time to change to my knobbies and was pleasantly surprized how well the tires responded in the dirt. They handled well in everything but loose climbs. Sure they don't hook up like knobbies but I feel they will improve your skills once you put your knobbies back on. Great training Aid in the dirt.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Michelin Wild Gripper S.
Bike Setup:
Hard-tail w/ full XTR.
Bottom Line:
For the price you can't go wrong. I purchased the tires for hard pack training and occasional commuting but will now use the tires on my favorite trails, so you might have to walk some of the ascents but they are so much fun in the dirt.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Romualds
a Cross Country Rider
from Riga,Latvia, Europe Date Reviewed: July 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$10.00
Strengths:
durability, longlasting performance, price
Weaknesses:
heavy
Similar Products Used:
not yet, only some semislicks...
Bike Setup:
American Eagle, SRAM 9.0, RST fork, bike weight around 24 lbs
Bottom Line:
I average over 100 miles a week commuting over 20 miles a day to and from work plus doing some training for a cross country. I haven't had a flat for these months of use. These tires roll wery well. Even on weekend I did a cross country training of about 50 miles without exchange of wheels,tires to XC ones, and these tires even in muddy conditions never let me down.If you're looking for an all around commuting, all-purpose road (and not only asphalt) tire for your bike, you will not go wrong with these, for this price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
seeker
a Cross Country Rider
from sc Date Reviewed: June 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$12.00
Strengths:
Nine thousand (9,000) miles without a single flat between the pair. The tread area is pretty thick and resists flats that would probably occur on 1.25" tires and would definitely on smaller tires.
Weaknesses:
You're stuck with them for a long time since there's simply no good reason to replace them.
Similar Products Used:
ritchey, irc, performance, hutchinson
Bike Setup:
hardtail commuter. 170lb rider.
Bottom Line:
Followup review a year later.
Kenda Kwest 26x1.50 are an excellent tire for pavement use in wet and dry conditions. This review is for the 65psi version, not the 100psi recumbent version (570 vs 630 g nominal).
Rear tire wears a wide flat area in center of tread after 6-8K miles, front will still look good. Rotate for another 4-6K miles. Sidewalls will develop little bulging areas before the tread actually wears down to undesirable thickness.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Fullerton Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Buena Park Bicycles
Strengths:
Smooth Rolling large enough to absorb bumps Good Stopping semi soft compound = Good Concrete gripping = great traction = awseome cornering. turns a mtb to a comfort bike/road bike.
Weaknesses:
have'nt experience on wet roads.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
04' Trek 820 hard tail.
Bottom Line:
Great Tires for the price. cant ask for more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a
from Philadelphia, PA Date Reviewed: October 23, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Stock on bike
Strengths:
Decent ride
Weaknesses:
Garbage - must be made of recycled chewing gum. Picked up every single thing on the road - dull screws, invisible glass slivers, sharp pebbles... everything.
These are cheap and I guess you get what you pay for. No deal is worth the hassle of these crumby tires. Any shop or manufacturer should be embarassed to equip a bike with them. I got a flat a week, sometimes two for about six months before I bought the ContinentalTop Touring (double the price of new Kendas and then some) in desperation. I've been riding on them for several months and I haven't gotten a single flat, so I guess it wasn't my fault. In fact, I started to get low on air because I had gotten out of the habit of topping them off thatnks to all the flats.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Seeker
a
from SC USA Date Reviewed: March 16, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$12.00
Strengths:
1. Grips well in wet and dry. 2. Enough volume to cushion out bumps, noticably more comfortable than smaller tires. 3. Gives you plenty of time to respond to sudden flats in a safe manner. 4. Great life - I have over 3000 miles on a rear with ~ 70% of tread remaining, so a rear tire will probably go 5000 miles safely on pavement. 5. Relatively inexpensive - 12 to 17 dollars.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy (~600g) but still decent for their size. Only come in wire bead, no kevlar version.
Similar Products Used:
many
Bike Setup:
hardtail setup for fitness/distance training.
Bottom Line:
A great choice for riding MTB on pavement and good dirt roads. Wonderful value in bicycle components.
I bought extras in case they quit making them. But these suckers last so long that I may have a 5 year supply now.
Hesitant to post this since I want to keep their prices down.
I will continue to look to Kenda for all my cycling tire needs (geez i should get comp'd for this glowing review).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Billy
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide, Australia Date Reviewed: April 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Adelaide Hills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Bike Shop
Strengths:
Turns a MTB into a road bike Rolls Well Corners Stops
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
none, these are my first slicks, got tireed of wearing out expensive Michelins riding to and from work
Bike Setup:
Trek Trail
Bottom Line:
Buy these and save some coin. They roll well making riding on bitumen a breeze. It only takes 10 minutes to change tires over when I go for a ride on dirt. These work ok in the local park on gravel when taking the dogs for a run
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Neeek
a Weekend Warrior
from London Date Reviewed: April 12, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Dunno
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$12.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
It's a slick. It's cheap. It's black. It's fairly light.
$ 20.00
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