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PRODUCT REVIEWS: ON TEST: KENDA VOLARE TUBULARS
Philip Booth
March 24, 2010
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STORY
Kenda has been in the tire business since 1962. In the bicycle industry they are best known for their line of mountain bike and road clinchers. For 2010 Kenda has made the jump into the world of road tubulars. At the top of Kenda's tubular line is the Volare, followed by the mid-range Super Domestique and the entry level Domestique. With Kenda making the move into a realm dominated by elite European tire manufactures, we were curious to see how their top of the line Volare measured up.
TECH
The Volare feature a handmade 300-tpi casing that features Kenda’s anti-puncture, Iron Cloak Belt (ICB) under the tread. For lighter weight and less rolling resistance, the Volare features a latex inner tube with a removable valve core. The Volare come in 700 x 22c, weigh 265-grams and are rated for 115-200psi
RBA SAYS
We were unsure what to expect from the Kenda Volares. We have been impressed and surprised with the ride quality and performance of Kenda’s clinchers and cycolcross tires, but tubulars are another animal with higher ride quality and performance expectations. Mounting the Kenda Volares was no more difficult than other tubulars, and we had no seeding issues. One thing that we would like to see is a longer valve stem option for deeper section rims.
On the road, testers were impressed with the Volare’s overall ride quality. The Kenda’s surpass or match the road feel of many of the best tubulars on the market, only falling short of silk casing offerings from FMB or Dugust. Overall they are smooth and fast rolling, only lacking a bit of suppleness on rougher roads. One reason that the Volares are less supple is that they have a harder rubber compound than other high-end tubulars. While this might take a bit off the ride quality, it makes up for it with durability and long tread life. After a couple months of riding, the Kenda Volares showed little wear and we have yet to suffer any flats. Cornering on the Volares was predictable and confidence inspiring. The tire has a good rounded profile that provided consistent traction regardless of lean angle. In wet weather the Volares shed water well and maintain their predictable handling characteristics.
The Kenda Volares are impressive and every bit as good as their European counterparts. They are not revolutionary, but represent the final evolutionary step of Kenda’s transformation into a top-flight tire company.
PRICE: $99.00
INFO: www.kendausa.com
BONUS POINTS: Ride quality, and cornering traction |
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