So fall is slowly creeping up on us, and I figured Idd do some rear-tire testing for the conditions to come. I got put-off with my Schwalbe Fat Albert tire, so it can only get better from here - I hope.
This is the Kenda Excavator 2.35" one of the newer offerings from the Kenda family. It saw introduction in 2008, and was hailed and promoted as a moddable tire, as well as a (Kenda) Nevegal variant -but with more grip.
Sofar its proven itself to be a great workhorse, the grip is deffinately there on rocks and roots, and on soft soil as well. There is a above avarage rolling resistance, but I hope it pays off on the trail. Braking is good and predictable. The side walls seem a bit thin, that concerns me as ive had my problems with Kenda sidewalls in the past, lets hope these will do the job better.
The plan is to test this tire during the fall, and as much into the winter as possible. And youll get the concluding review right here on All Mountain Next.
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
This is a great tire. I used a 2.35 for the rear and a 2.2 upfront for most of last year and into spring 2010. I did have difficulty with tubes tho at sub 34psi. The tires failed to grip the rim and would rotate around the rim under hard breaking usually tearing the valve stem in the process. This had me going tubeless with some reservations because they are not "tubeless ready". Once tubeless I ran them with now issues until the were worn and ready for replacement.
ReplyDeleteI have the excavator 2.35 up front and rear on my 2008 stumpy fsr with azonic outlaws. I am a heavy rider 240 lbs and ride aggressive trails. The tires hook up very well on all types of terrain. Almost to well when I try to lock up the rear to drift around a corner they don't let go. Probably not a good rear tire unless you like this. If I let out air pressure below 34psi they handle squirmy. I run ghetto tubeless for 6 months with no problem. They grip better than the navigals but roll better. They dont need to run low psi to get grip. I have a video on youtube called (gmr monroe truck trail) to see these babies in action.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a great tire. I hope to have a review up soon.
ReplyDeleteNice trails btw!
Venter spændt på din anmeldelse! står nemlig i et dilemma med dem og Maxis Ardent 26x2.25
ReplyDeleteMen props til din blog! virkelig et godt stykke arbejde du lægger i den
Hej og tak : ) Anmeldelsen finder du her: http://all-mountain-next.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-kenda-excavator-235.html
ReplyDelete