[realbiker]

Does anyone know an onlineshop where you can order a KENDA KARMA tire in 29 x 2,0" ???

Did anyone weigh the new Bontrager XR tires (29 x 1,8") and maybee measure them ???

I'm just curious, thanks

 

[shiggy]

No Karma 29x2.0, it is a 2.20.

The XR 1.8 may not be available yet.

 

[realbiker]

Yeah it's a 2,2" but some guys wrote that in reallity it's a 1,9" or 2,0" tire.

The Bontrager tire is available because some shop in GB allready have them so they should also be out in the USA.

 

[shiggy]

Yeah it's a 2,2" but some guys wrote that in reallity it's a 1,9" or 2,0" tire...)

You have to call the tires by the size marked on them. Virtually no tire measures exactly its stated size.

 

[lanpope]

Search this forum for pics and measurements of the 1.8 Bonty. There were some pics and details a while back from a shop owner/worker. I think they measured out to be 46mm IIRC

LP

 

[benwitt11]

The bontragers are available. The weigh 500gs. I weighed three and they're all minimally off, (like 6 g's.) They are very light, though they are smaller, what I would term, race specific tires. They'll be fast on the right course, but choose carefully. The size is also very close to what is on the tires. This mounted on a road rim for comparison. Measured about 46x46mm on my caliper.

 

[Cloxxki]

Ben, how would you compare tread depth between the XR fatties and skinnies?

I'd love to see someone do roll-off-hill tests to see if there is a speed difference. IMO too often people associate small with fast, and wide with slow, while my experience tells me the fastest rolling MTB's were the ones I tried with 2.35"+ tires.

But really, how low before we get pics and specs of the Karma's? People have been riding them for some time already! I need a pair! I'm set on trying one as my main front tire for the coming summer season. Rear would be the NoTubes Vel-Crow...

 

[benwitt11]

The difference isn't really in the tread depth, that's about the same. The difference is in the number and the spacing of the knobs. The 1.8's have far smaller knobs and they are spaced wider. They should roll faster, admittedly without the cushion or full cornering ability of their big brothers. I can't really do an accurate ride test now, there's about 5 inches of wet heavy snow outside. Can't ride the good bikes, (salt on the streets,) can't ski.

 

[Cloxxki]

Thanks Ben.
Hard to tell from the pics, but are there actually fewer knobs on the 1.8? That might certainly help in tacky or wet conditions to roll better. Not sure on hard surfaces...

 

[benwitt11]

Sorry for the less than perfect pics, figured they were better than nothing. There are the same number of knobs on both tires, at least the tread pattern is very similar, just downsized. The knobs are about 30% smaller, and slightly wider spaced, on the 1.8's.

 

[Cloxxki]

Aah, so the smaller size makes for the larger space between them! Could help reduce clogging.

 

[benwitt11]

You got it.

 

[realbiker]

Thanks for the great imformations ... I think I'll get a pair of the new bonties

 

[Bogus]

Kenda emailed me that they will start shipping the 29er Karmas late January or early Feb. I love that tread pattern for XC racing so we'll see how they turn out.

 

[Cloxxki]

Then how do some people seem to have gotten them through normal channels already? Just samples?
Looks like I'll have to save up for a pair of Karma, or maybe 2 pairs. Stan's Vel-Crow is now expected "early spring". I hope the Karma will be somewhat based on the specs Stan asked for his own tires, so the Karma can be used tubeless too. For my 8.2kg project bike I want the ultimate in speed and grip!
Karma front, Vel-Crow rear, that is gonna have to be the ultimate lame-course combo!

I can't wait till I feel (claim to feel) the snappy acceleration of a 29"er on race wheels with proper race tires that can compete with any 26" bike on tire weight and performance!