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PRODUCT REVIEWS: ON TEST: KENDA SMALL BLOCK EIGHT CYCLOCROSS TIRES
Philip Booth
September 16, 2009
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STORY
Kenda has been in the tire business since 1962, making tires for everything from cars to ATVs. In the bicycle industry they are best known for their line of mountain bike tires, as well as their sponsorship of the successful Kenda/Seven mountain bike team. In recent years Kenda has had some the best Mountain Bikers in history designing their tires, riders such as John Tomac, Tinker Juarez and Brian Lopes. One of their most successful tires was the Small Block Eight designed by mountain bike legend John Tomac. The Small Block Eight is now available for cyclocross racers worldwide.
TECH
The Kenda Small Block Eight cyclocross tires provide traction via their trademark Nevegal knobs, which run throughout the Small Block Eight line. The Kevlar beaded tire can be run as a front or rear tire and features Dual compound tread. The tires use 120 TPI construction and are rated at 50-85 PSI. The Small Block Eight cyclocross tires come in both 700x32 or 700x35 sizes, and weigh 297-grams.
RBA SAYS
The Kenda Small Block Eights are designed specifically for fast, hard pack courses and that is where they excel. The tires have a rounded tread profile that combined with the small tread blocks provide solid and predicable handling. The small evenly spaced knobs create a smooth and fast rolling tire. While the ride was smooth, what impressed us most were the tires cornering abilities. The front wheel felt glued to the trail and we were impressed how easily we could control slide the rear wheel around corners. On climbs the Small Block Eights hooked up well, although there was some rear wheel slip during steep out of the saddle efforts.
What makes the Small Block Eights great in on dry, hard pack courses, also limits their abilities in wet, muddy conditions. In mud the small tread blocks quickly get clogged and make the tires slick. If most of your riding is in dry conditions the Small Block Eights are a good option. If you spend most of you time in the rain and mud you would be better served by one Kenda’s other models, such as the Kommando.
PRICE: $39.00
INFO: www.kendausa.com
BONUS POINTS: Smooth rolling, great cornering traction. |
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