KENDA vs. MAXXIS

[johnandjerri]

I am riding kenda blue groove and nevegal. They are pretty worn and I am thinking of going with another tire setup to change things up a bit. any suggestions on maxxis tires. What are u riding on?

[CalEpic]

I still think the Kenda Blue Groove/Nevegal combo is one of the best performing out there. Unfortunately I've just had too many torn beads to keep using them.

In Maxxis I like the Minion DH-F and Highroller combo (folding bead for XC) They do run a lot smaller size for size vs Kenda though.

I also like Specialized tires.

In the future please take the time to use the search function. It will most likely provide the info you're looking for. Here's a link:Tire Review Thread

C

[johnandjerri]

Thanks I forgot about the search. I will next time.

[SnookDawg]

I have been having great luck with Nevs front and rear, so I'm sticking with them for a while.

[dstepper]

On the RFX, I have been running a 2.35 Fat Albert rear, 2.4 Big Betty front UST combo excellent but hard to find.

As Craig said I liked the Nev/BG but got tired of getting a couple of rides out of them and cutting the sidewalls.

Dean

[davidB]

I just fell in love with the Small Block 8's.

[Johnny Dirt]

I loved my Kendas (BG/Nev) but they wore to quickly. I'm running Maxxis Ignitor 2.35 UST on rear and High Roller 2.5 UST up front. They run alot smaller than Kendas though.

[stinkyrider]

I personally prefer maxxis. I love the minion.

[Foesnasty]

i have riden alot of tires and i like the maxxis...DH 2.5's minions, AM bike 2.35 highrollers.. all ust.. I love them

[PacMan]

I run a 2.35 Nevegal front and 2.1 rear on my Yeti 575. I run a Maxxis Ignitor 2.3 front and 2.1 rear on my SS. I have found that Kenda tires are just aboput the only tire that is true to its sizing. Most tires are generally not as wide as their claimed width. I know width of the wheel affects tire width, but as a rule of thumb, Kendas are truer.

I have found the Nevegal to be an awesom All Mountain tire. I really like the Maxxis Ignitor on my SS. It's not as aggressive as the Nevegal and rolls a little quicker, which is why it's on my SS--I didn't want something quite so aggressive.

I guess advice needs to be hinged on what type of bike and what type of riding you do.

[Sprockethead]

Been running both Kenda's and Maxxis for a couple years now. The BG/Nevegal has been a great combo. I've also run Nevegals front and rear and have found both combo's to be good for SoCal trails.

Last year, I switched to Maxxis Minion DHF and High Roller rear. Both were super tacky's and slow but held in the loose.

Not until recently did I finally tear a sidewall on a Kenda. Kinda pissed me off, 2 rides and the sidewall tore.

Overall, I think like both, but I'd give the Maxxis a higher rating cause the sidewalls are tougher. Sealing the tires with Stans was also easier.

[nintense]

Originally Posted by johnandjerri

I am riding kenda blue groove and nevegal. They are pretty worn and I am thinking of going with another tire setup to change things up a bit. any suggestions on maxxis tires. What are u riding on?

What size? riding style? and what you wanna improve on your next tires?

I'm currently running on Intense DC Lite 909 2.35 and Minion DHR 2.35 rear. I don't think there's a tire with better cornering then the 909, but it's larger, heavier, and knobbier than most tires in this category.

[uzziboy]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

In Maxxis I like the Minion DH-F and Highroller combo (folding bead for XC) They do run a lot smaller size for size vs Kenda though.
C

This is the combo i run also. (not the folding bead, mine are the 60 dur) i have been running these tires for a very long time although i was running a 2.7 mobster on the front for most of the time i just recently got the minion but i like that one too.

[kbteachme]

I'm currently running the Maxxis Mobsters... so far so good (2.5 and 2.35).

[SchwinnStr8]

i was on kenda kolossal dh (sticki E), then went to nokian gazzy and now on Maxxis minions DHF and DHR UST. I like the gazzy's the most or traction, but were too heavy. The minions are great ( good traction and simi-light)!!!

[El Gringo]

Personally, I sworn off Kenda and only run Maxxis now. Minion DHf makes a great front tire - so does the ADvantage 2.4.

For the rear, High Roller works well - but for a HT on flowy singletrack, switch things up and try the Holy Roller 2.4s (DJ tires). The width gives them decent traction and the low profile makes them roll fast.

Beware: Holy Rollers lose their performance in wet conditions (though they take creek crossings fine).

[SSinGA]

Kenda sidewall = weaksauce

Maxxis sizing = weaksauce (though they are working on fixing it)

Schwalbe pricing = weaksauce - awesome performance

I've been riding prototype Maxxis CrossMarks for the last month or so. They are 2.25 UST and have much larger volume than the 2.35 HighRoller and are wider. I've used on all sorts of terrain and they really hook up for such a low tread design. Rolling resistance is awesome.

I'm waiting on the Ardent prototype to get here from overseas. It looks like another good performer which will also come in the new larger 2.25 & 2.4 sizing.

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by SSinGA

Kenda sidewall = weaksauce

Maxxis sizing = weaksauce (though they are working on fixing it)

Schwalbe pricing = weaksauce - awesome performance

pretty much nailed it dood...

i no longer run kendas after the countless pinch flats i've received while riding on the BG/neve combo.. i've also managed to blow up a tube going down Luge and rock-it when i was using a SB8 on the rear wheel.

with maxxis tires i've never had that problem, just the tires are smaller than advertised. this would normally not be a problem, but the rims on my bike are 27mm inside width and tend to make a tire profile square if its not a big tire.

the only schwalbe tires i've run are Big Betty's but i would not have a problem continuing to run one on the front tire of my trail bike. they are pricey at ~$50 each , but i can easily get a year of use out of one tire so it is worth the price for me.

i am currently testing out a Conti Mountain King 2.4 Supersonic and i am really watching out how i ride with this tire since the sidewalls are kenda thin.

[SSinGA]

I'm awaiting the arrival of my UST big Bettys as I type this!

[gil_caz]

kendas are poop, i love maxxis.

but im really biased.