Customers' Reviews:
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 Great for roads, but just OK for everything else, August 1, 2008
By D. Grant (Windsor, Ontario, Canada)
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I'm a big fan of semi-slicks; done right, they can handle all but the worst gnarl, and they roll faster and with less noise too.
Having run through my supply of Kenda Kwicks, and with Kenda not making the Kwick any longer, I gave the Kross a try.
The key to a semi-slick is how the slick section is constructed. The idea is that the "slick" part - and only the "slick" part - contacts hard pavement, and then as the surface gets softer, progressively more of the tire is engaged.
The Kwick did this very well, featuring a variety of low-profile knobs and bars across the "slick" portion that contributed very little in the way of rolling resistance or vibration, but helped handle the transition from hard pack to all-out soft (where the big side lugs engage)
The Kross instead concentrates on road performance. The "road rib" has serrated edges that presumably dig in on intermediate surfaces, but the main part of the contact patch is entirely smooth.
This, in practice, makes for a nice and fast road-going tire, and it does passably well in very soft stuff. But on intermediate surfaces, like most singletrack, this tire is a slithery mess. It locks up under braking, it spins loose on climbs, and it times, it requires Shakira levels of body English to keep the bike under you.
As a road tire, it is very good - I did 160 km on it one weekend with a smooth and secure ride. As a road with a little trail - just fine. But as a singletrack tire... it's just OK. Unlike a full slick, you can get away with some trail use, but be prepared to slither a bit.
34 of 35 people found this review helpful
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 Great for converting mtn bike into commuter but keeping look and capability, February 14, 2006
By BoaltGeek (California)
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Though I got these tires elsewhere, the Amazon price is better. The tires are more than compotent for city commuting (I like the higher PSI of 65) and a little dirt, but not serious (or even semi-serious) off roading. They are a hybrid tire that does everything you could seriously hope for from a commuter tire (they're not for racing like slicks and they're not for off-roading) ... improved my speeds slightly, mostly improved the feel of the ride; no more humming, vibrating feeling as the knobbies roll along.
Only downside is their ability to deal with uneven sidewalk ... like two slabs at slightly different heights (say, anything over a three-quarter inch difference in height). However, this may be a result of my weight (clyde) and the high pressure I keep them at (lower pressure would certainly help). So really, it's not a down side at all, it's a trade off that you'd get with any tire at any price.
These get me to class and several 10 mile trips during the week, I couldn't ask for more.
30 of 31 people found this review helpful
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Say goodbye to flats, still great tires after over 5000 miles, March 19, 2007
By B. Feuless (Portland, OR United States)
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I ride 100-200 miles/week and have put well over 5000 miles on the original set that came on my Marin Redwood. I ride a lot of highways and have been amazed how much window glass I've run through w/o flats. Only thing that sometimes gets me is a long nail or screw. Last weekend, did 75 each way betw. Houston and Brenham. No flats, lots of glass. 6 miles road construction on way back, had to ride in the culvert in dirt and mud, on fresh tar and a few times in deep water/mud. They spun a bit before grabbing in the really wet stuff, but they did great overall. Buying a new pair, just because I can't believe that after all these miles that I should not buy new for this cheap.
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
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Kenda Kross Tyres, July 17, 2006
By P. Migliore (MI)
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I highly recommend these tyres to anyone who likes hybrid tyres. I received a pair today and am very satisfied. After mounting, which took less time than my previous tyres, I found how easily they rolled on pavement. Their overall grip is tremendous on virtually any urban surface from grass to even gravel and medium pack dirt. Do not mistake these tyres to be mountain/all terrain tyres; they're not. If you appreciate having a decent ride with mild offroad ability and excellent traction on many surfaces, then you should seriously consider a pair of Kenda Kross'.
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
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An exceptional buy, well worth the price, August 23, 2006
By Gabe (Dallas, Texas)
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This tire is advertized as a city tire. It is very smooth, quiet and simple to install. I have been writing my bicycle for over a month with these tires installed and I am very satisfied with their performance.
The price/value of this product is exceptional.
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
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 flats all the time, September 20, 2007
By K. Diba (New York, NY, USA)
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I was convinced by the other reviews to purchase this tire. Sure, they seemed nice, and initially I felt a gain in my speed. But I am always getting flats with these tires, going over the same roads I used to before, without getting any flats. One one part of the tire now my inner tube is also exposed. I am buying a different set of tires now.
7 of 11 people found this review helpful
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Ideal Hybrid Street Tire for Mountain Bikes, November 11, 2006
By JAMES W. CAYTON (Burnet, TX USA)
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If you ride your mountain bike on paved surfaces, but still need limited off-road capability, get these tires. They speed up riding on pavement and make it easier by 2 or 3 rear gears. They're light, and 65 psi is a blessing. They even make the short off-road distance of my journey to and from home easier while keeping it safe for cornering. 'Nuff said.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
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 Loved them until the blowout, September 1, 2007
By Pete (Southeastern PA)
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These tires seemed too good to be true. They rolled great and made my mountain bike ride much smoother. I was out riding today, however, and I had a Sidewall blowout, which in turn let the inner tube squeeze out and catch the brake shoe. Sounded like a .22 being shot. Fortunately I was only about 4 miles from my truck, but the sidewall separated from the metal bead. I checked my rim for a sharp edge but couldn't find one in the area of the blowout, so I chalk it up to workmanship. (must have been cranked out on a friday at 4:55. I only have about 20 miles on the tires.
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
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 Good Tire-Great Price, June 18, 2008
By J. E. Springer
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Bought four of these at a really good price. Like the way they look and handle. These tires ride much better than the knobby tires I replaced. If you spend more time on smooth roads than dirt, these will work for you.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Fast tires, still give grip though, great for commuting, December 3, 2008
By E. West (Chicago, IL)
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When I first put these tires on and pumped them up to 65psi, I couldn't believe how much faster I could bike. It's awesome. You'll notice that the ride is quieter and smoother too. 65psi makes the bumps a little harsher, but it's not bad at all. The tires still have plenty of grip though. I've been riding in slushy snow and hardpacked snow/ice and it's been no problem, as long as I'm careful. You might notice that you're more likely to skid to a stop if you try to stop quickly on wet pavement, but I think the stopping distance is still safe, even when wet.
I got one flat when a piece of glass went through the tread of the tire, but that happens. These tires are probably a bit more flat-prone than heavy mountain bike tires that have a huge tread that just rides right over glass, but it's worth it. One flat in about 2 months of daily use (9 miles a day) is pretty good, I'd say.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Smooth Roller, August 24, 2007
By Chip (Dayton, OH)
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I bought this tire about 2 weeks ago, so far I've put about 120 or so miles on it. It is a very nice easy rolling tire, quiet and smooth. It does not have the puncture protection of some other tires so I paired it with a set of new "slime" filled thorn resistant tubes as a precaution. I'm very pleased with this purchase, still can't believe that I only paid $9 each for such a nice tire.
I did notice that one of the other reviewers noted that you should mount it with the "V" pattern pointing forward. Well of course I forgot about this and through bad luck I have them both mounted the exact oposite way. They seem to work fine and I can't find anything on the tire telling you which way is the correct oreintation, just an FYI.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Great tire, great price!, June 2, 2007
By JRod (Warren, MI)
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I've had these tires on my MB for about 4 years. I ride an average of 50-60 miles a week (weather permitting) and have never had a problem. I do mainly black top trails, with minor sand/dirt coverage. Even when the path is wet, I'm confident leaning hard into a turn that the tires will not lose grip. These tires are great for what they are designed for... they make pavement riding smooth and enjoyable yet don't scare you when you hit the occasional patch of dirt. I also run them at 65 PSI.
I'm actually buying another set because of the great price just to have around.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Seems like a good city road tire, August 7, 2006
By Mark Niemeyer (Erie, CO)
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Just put it on and am enjoying the lower rolling resistence on paved roads.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Nice Road Tire, August 4, 2006
By T. Hinds (st augustine,FL USA)
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Good tire for around town on pavement with minor riding in dirt
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
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this tire will add 2 - 3 mph onto your speed, January 17, 2010
By T Durden
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I have an electric bike so my comparison on tires is much more perfect than someone who just pedals. I've tested other tires and when I added this tire, I went 3 mph faster. The difference was shocking. No joke. I was regularly going 28 mph and when I added this tire, my bike was going 31 mph afterward. I couldn't believe the difference.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Good quality, nice look, great price!, May 9, 2008
By Kwin Abram
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This is the first bike tire that I have purchased in something like 30 years! But my early '90s Trek 830 needed some new rubber and I wanted something that was smooth on the street and yet had a fighting chance for a little traction in the rare off-road situation.
I installed it, maximized the pressure (65 psi) and it was good to go.
My wife is the primary rider for this bike now and her first comment was, "it's so smooth and quiet!".
As for looks, I am really happy and my 830 has never looked better.
All in all, it exceeded my expectations for the price I paid.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Road bike manners; Mountain bike look and "edgy" edges!, August 7, 2007
By Fit & Fun (Southern Ohio)
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Purchased these "bike cop" tires about 400 miles ago to smooth out my mostly paved riding. WOW! I have a Trek 820 and like the feel of a mountain bike, as well as the secure ride afforded by wider tires. I've waited way too long to make a change like this. The ride is very smooth, without sacrificing both the look and safety of the wider tire. NOTE WHILE INSTALLING: the partial "V" in the center tread should point toward the front of the bike. My local bike shop wanted $20 each for a similar tire (that didn't have the knobby edges I like on these). Great price, great tire. I should have made this change 5 years ago!
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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kendra croos tires, January 9, 2007
By Michael A. Heard (Dundalk,Md)
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these are the best pair of bike tires i've ever purchased
they are real smooth
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Longest lasting tire., September 8, 2007
By Steven J. Petrak (Aurora, Illinois)
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I'm using a friction drive gasoline engine on my mountain bike and this tire is the best tire and the only tire I will ever get for my bicycle. Thank you for making such a worthy tire!
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Good inexpensive tire, September 10, 2008
By Gris (Canada)
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A good inexpensive tire for riding in the city on paved roads or trails. Rolling resistance is less, as a result of the slick tire, the knobs on either side provide the grip for cornering on non paved paths.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Nice cross country tire!, June 11, 2011
By C Memmen (Steamboat Springs, CO)
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Lately I have been just riding my bike around town but the mountain bike tread was a bit too much, so I decided to give this tire a try. I really like the tire so far, a lot less resistance and it corners pretty good. It's thick so I can't see it getting a flat anytime soon. It holds up on the trail so far.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Really a street tire, September 13, 2009
By Urban Nightrider (Sacramento, Ca)
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I could see crossing gravel or a dirt path on these, but they're really a street tire. They roll well. Nice tire for the price. Never ever mountain bike on these without an excellent insurance policy and a cameraman handy for the youtube video of your wipeout.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Didn't last long enough, May 22, 2009
By esl-teacher (Boston, MA)
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I put these on my mountain bike to take part in a 3-day fundraiser at the start of September of 2008 and kept them on. They lasted only until the beginning of May 2009, with up to 2 months off. I don't ride all that much (30-50 miles a week at most) but it is mostly glass-, shell- and metal-strewn roadways with lots of potholes, so I guess for the price ($8 at the time) it was OK. Will buy again if I need slicks.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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A Good Choice, October 30, 2008
By bike now (charlotte, nc)
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I bought a set of these for my rigid frame mountain bike. I used them on the I & M towpath and the Hennepin Canal. This tire was a good choice for that application. Be sure to search around, as these tires sometimes go on super sale.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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very smooth tires!, June 27, 2007
By P. Do (California)
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I use these to commute to school and back, in addition to longer recreational rides (mostly paved roads) on my Trek 4300 mtn bike. They ride much, much smoother than the old knobby tires. This is especially noticeable when coasting down a hill or accelerating. I worried at first about cornering, as the tread change to the knobby sides could cause me to lose control, but I haven't experienced that yet.
These are an incredible value.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Nice tires at a great price, May 15, 2007
By Heavysky (Dallas, TX)
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Replaced my oem knobbys with these for city/mild off-road riding and couldn't be happier with them. The bike has much less rolling resistance and is much quieter on paved surfaces.
I'm sure there are better tires out there but for the price these are great.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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tires make me go fast, August 3, 2009
By booty
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i've raised my average speed by 3 mph just with this swap. still pretty stable in the grass and gravel, although certainly not an off road tire. rides very smooth and can corner fast. very sticky rubber that seems to have good wear qualities. haven't rode in the wet yet, but doesn't seem like a good year round tire. does very well on dry pavement tho.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Okay cheap tire., September 23, 2011
By anishannayya
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I was actually disappointed with the performance of these tires, but since the price was so affordable, I'm not complaining too much.
I am an avid mountain biker, and I wanted to use this in place of my Maxxis Larsen TT tires for some road/fire trail riding. I contemplated throwing down ~$60-70 for a pair of Maxxis branded hybrid slicks, but decided to save the premium rubber for the hard trails and races.
Even though my Maxxis tires are designed for full mountain biking on low-traction (sandy) trails, they weigh 1/2 to 1/3 of these Kenda tires. The Kenda tires themselves look cheap and there is a very visible rubber strip in the center of the tires, where the machine molded them. I ended up having to trim it off with a utility knife (the strip looked bad and affected handling). On the plus side, these tires are very thick, which should greatly minimize the chances of blowouts and punctures. Plus, the rubber itself seems to be of good quality (though not as good as my other tires).
As for performance, these are good on the road and pretty crappy anywhere else. You can use them on some light gravel, but the knobs on the side are so far out that you will slide all over the place if there you attempt to use these in some light sand. I keep these tires at 65 PSI. Reducing the PSI to 40 improved off road performance, but made the tires feel square on the road.
As a side note, I was originally confused when the tires had no Kenda labeling at all, and came with the label "Sunlite". A quick Google search indicated that this is what Kenda labels their cheaper tires with. Compared to the picture that you see above, these tires look the similar, but are of MUCH shoddier build quality (and are not branded). While I'm sure that the earlier reviews are accurate, these newer "Sunlite" tires are not a bargain.
While I have used Kenda tires in the past, these are not nearly as good as I remember. In fact, I wouldn't have purchased them if they hadn't been labeled as Kenda tires (since I know Kenda makes quality stuff).
At $30 for a new set of tires, I can't complain too much (and if I could get the pair for $20, I would have given them a 4). But if I could do it again, I would steer clear of these tires (cheesy pun not intended).
If you want a simple set of tires for your <$200 bike, then these are it. But if you install this on a high-end bike, you will come away very disappointed. When it comes down to it, tires are very important. Remember, these are the only things that actually come in contact with the road.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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MTB Tires, September 5, 2011
By Richard D. Stewart (Kissimmee, Florida)
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Ordered these Kenda Kross Plus tires for my mountain bike. The ones I received were NOT Kenda Kross brand tires. The ones i received seem to be doing the job. Will have to wait to see if they MATCH UP to a Kenda Tire. Hope the person who sent these see's this post and corrects the PROBLEM nex time.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Good everyday tire, good value, April 22, 2011
By Geoscientist
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This Kenda Kross K847 tire fits very well on my 26" bike, replacing the old mountain-bike tire that was 26x2.10. The 1.95" wasn't a problem. Kenda makes the tire but it is sold under the brand SUNLITE. This is a hybrid: slick in the center, with a rough pattern adjacent, and then knobby at the edge. Smooth and fast on a dry day. Biked in the rain with it, and it felt a bit too slick to be confidently going fast.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Thin Tire Ride with a 26 x 1.95 tire, March 31, 2011
By Tomana
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Just bought a '95' DiamondBack in great condition but the tires were old so the tube started coming through the sidewall so, time for new tires. I do all street/commuter riding and needed a tough/reliable tire - but also desired faster, thin street tires like a 26 x 1.5 road tire provides.
With the Kenda Kross Plus I received the best of both worlds in a 26 x 1.95 tire size (no need to buy new tubes/goo). This tire handles street stuff well (pot holes, debris, curb-side stuff, etc) yet it rides on a 26 x 1.5 size tire center. For the price of this tire, the quality and the faster roll than conventional 26 x 1.95 tires, it was an immediate sale for the bike shop.
If you have a mountain bike and intend to do mostly street/city riding, I suggest you consider this tire. I have them front & back and my only concern is if this tire will still be available when I need a new set sometime down the road (8^)
Conclusion: Highly recommended
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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No complaints, June 11, 2010
By pilotdaddy (Las Vegas, NV)
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I have been using this tire on my back wheel for over a year now. I use the bike for commuting so it is almost always on the road and sees both wet and dry conditions (no ice though). I can't think of anything bad to say about the tire which must mean that they work just fine!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Point those little arrows in the right direction, February 20, 2010
By bikeguy (OTTAWA, IL USA)
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I have an electric bike kit installed on my bike that basically doubles its weight. At first I didn't notice much difference from my old tires. Pretty tough to pedal. Then I seen a comment by someone about those little arrows on the tire that should be pointed forward. Sure enough I had them both pointing backwards. The difference is amazing. Pedaling the bike now seems as though the motor kit and batteries are not even on the bike. I didn't turn the batteries on yet, but I am sure these tires will help the performance. Just need some better weather!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Exactly What I Wanted, February 25, 2009
By Allez (New Orleans)
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I agree with other reviewers who have said these tires are great for converting a mountain bike into a commuter. I'm not a hardcore cyclist by any means, but I do ride a 4 mile (one way) commute to work 2-3 times a week. This is almost entirely over city streets, but my city has TERRIBLE pothole issues. This tire has done great on smooth pavement and the more torn up streets. The improved speed and smoothness have cut off several minutes of my ride time. The ride is so much smoother and faster that I can generally ride 2 gears higher than I used to. I have only had them for about a month, so I can't say too much about their durability. Like I said, though, I'm riding over some pretty rough city streets that have lots of glass and debris, and so far the tire has handled them just fine.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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So far....So good...., November 16, 2008
By GroceryGetter (Austin Tx)
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I commute 15miles everyday to and from work, and have been very happy with this tire. I love the fact the center has low rolling resistance, yet if I need to cut across a field or hop on a bike path, it grips with confidence.
The only drawback was one time while taking in some family riding time, on some really wicked trails, it washed out on the front on a HUGE downhill with a turn at the bottom. That is not what this tire is made for; however it is excellent at everything else. Even in the rain it feels very confident to ride.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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OK tire for a great price, very smooth and quiet, August 30, 2008
By Sufen Chang
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The reason I give this tire 5 stars is because of this price. I got two of the tires for about $20, including shipping, which is less than what you pay for one tire at the bike shop. Another reason why I got these was because the tire is wide enough so that I don't have to change my inner tubes. Full slicks would require a different, narrower tube. If you currently have the common 2.1 inch (width) tire and you decide to buy this tire (1.95 inch), you probably won't have to change your tubes either. The first thing I noticed when I took it out of the box was its weight. It is actually pretty heavy, but since I only use this tire to get to school, performance wasn't on the top of my list. The first thing I noticed when I used it was how smooth, vibration-free it was. I have always been using mountain bike knobby tires, so riding these semi-slicks on the road felt extra smooth and quiet. I haven't taken it on the trails yet, and I don't plan to, because it's not made for that. It handles flat gravel and hardpack paths pretty well though. I didn't notice any significant gain in speed when I switched to these tires, probably because it's not a performance tire. So get this tire if you are looking for a cheap upgrade to your mountain bike that travels on mostly road, but get full slicks if you are looking for performance. If you get this tire, don't expect it to make your bike too much faster. But I'm sure you'll love the way your ride will become smoother and quieter if you are swapping out a knobby tire.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Excellent Cross Tire, August 2, 2008
By A. R. Brewster (Plymouth, MA)
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If you want a tire for crusing the island this is it. Bike paths and hardpack abound you can't go wrong with this one. Makes for a much smoother ride but can handle moderate off road with ease.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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works great, January 19, 2008
By bread (DC)
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I have had this tire for a few weeks and done some mtbiking and these tires performed well. The conditions were wet with leaves and debris, roots and trees lined the trail, but the tires held up well.
the only problem was at the trail head where there was a short gravel hill and it was a difficult spin.
Overall I like them.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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No more vibration..., October 20, 2006
By Henry (Antioch, CA)
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Most of my biking is on paved to semi-paved roads and these tires make this
type of riding a true pleasure. Also rode it on grass w/o any problems. For the money they can't be beat.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Okay cheap tire., September 23, 2011
By Awesome College Student
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I was actually disappointed with the performance of these tires, but since the price was so affordable, I'm not complaining too much.
I am an avid mountain biker, and I wanted to use this in place of my Maxxis Larsen TT tires for some road/fire trail riding. I contemplated throwing down ~$60-70 for a pair of Maxxis branded hybrid slicks, but decided to save the premium rubber for the hard trails and races.
Even though my Maxxis tires are designed for full mountain biking on low-traction (sandy) trails, they weigh 1/2 to 1/3 of these Kenda tires. The Kenda tires themselves look cheap and there is a very visible rubber strip in the center of the tires, where the machine molded them. I ended up having to trim it off with a utility knife (the strip looked bad and affected handling). On the plus side, these tires are very thick, which should greatly minimize the chances of blowouts and punctures. Plus, the rubber itself seems to be of good quality (though not as good as my other tires).
As for performance, these are good on the road and pretty crappy anywhere else. You can use them on some light gravel, but the knobs on the side are so far out that you will slide all over the place if there you attempt to use these in some light sand. I keep these tires at 65 PSI. Reducing the PSI to 40 improved off road performance, but made the tires feel square on the road.
As a side note, I was originally confused when the tires had no Kenda labeling at all, and came with the label "Sunlite". A quick Google search indicated that this is what Kenda labels their cheaper tires with. Compared to the picture that you see above, these tires look the similar, but are of MUCH shoddier build quality (and are not branded). While I'm sure that the earlier reviews are accurate, these newer "Sunlite" tires are not a bargain.
While I have used Kenda tires in the past, these are not nearly as good as I remember. In fact, I wouldn't have purchased them if they hadn't been labeled as Kenda tires (since I know Kenda makes quality stuff).
At $30 for a new set of tires, I can't complain too much (and if I could get the pair for $20, I would have given them a 4). But if I could do it again, I would steer clear of these tires (cheesy pun not intended).
If you want a simple set of tires for your <$200 bike, then these are it. But if you install this on a high-end bike, you will come away very disappointed. When it comes down to it, tires are very important. Remember, these are the only things that actually come in contact with the road.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Cost Effective, October 22, 2007
By str8 forward (Fort.Lauderdale,FL USA)
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they work for the price. Have had them for a month and decent tires especially for the price. I ride 10 miles 4 times a week.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Exceeded expectations, unbeatable for the price. Avoid sand!, April 7, 2012
By Farhan K. Khan
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I swapped out my Kenda Klaw XT super knobby tires that came on my MTB because I planned on doing more road riding... well I'm still doing a lot of trail riding and I'm too lazy to swap back to the Klaws... so I just drop the air pressure to about 25-30 psi and these tires can handle moderate trails with minimal issue. It blew away my expectations - I thought I'd be sliding all over the place spinning the tires on inclines, but that just wasn't the case. Dirt and roots no problem at all. And when I go road riding, I pump up the PSI to 50-60 and its much less resistance compared to my Klaws at 60 psi not to mention much reduced buzzzzzzing noise, you know what I'm talking about.
However, there is one thing that this tire can't handle well, and you can hardly expect it too, and that is sand. It will slither over the place and you have to be on high alert else you risk falling.
These will definitely reduce fatigue if you are coming from super knobby tires. These tires wont make you go faster in the literal sense, no tires will, lower resistance simply means that pedaling is easier and you retain your speed longer. This in turn can help you go faster because your legs can now pedal faster because its easier to. So if you are maxing out your maximum gear (single speed bikes) then you probably wont see speed increase.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great Hybrid replacement for mountain bikes, March 28, 2012
By stealth916
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I replaced some excessively knobby 26 x 2.1" mountain bike tires with these. These tires are much smoother and quieter. I ordered direct from Amazon and they came individually boxed in very large, oversize boxes. The tires I received did not have the yellow and white logo on the tire wall as shown in the picture, instead they are all black walls.
The quality seems great for the price, with no complaints after 50+ miles. I love the look of these tires and the mix of tread in the right places. Most of my riding is on the street with maybe 5 - 10% offroad.
I ordered the 1.95" tires, and they seem just as wide as the 2.1" tires I replaced but I chose to install new tubes in any case. If you go to a smaller size (width) tire, you may want to replace your old tubes since they have probably stretched to fit your wider tire and may become bunched up in a narrower tire.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Very pleased so far, October 28, 2011
By RC
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While these tires are significantly heavier that the XC mountain bike tires that I had on the bike, these are much more suited to the paved surfaces that I find myself on these days. I was thrilled the first time I rode them to hear silence coming from my tires, I am so used to the hum from my knobbies it almost felt like something was wrong with my ears.
I have yet to ride these off-road, but I feel like the lugs on the outside will be sufficient for casual cruising. If I plan on doing some serious off-road biking I will put my knobby tires back on.
All-and-all I am very pleased so far. Seems like a pretty decent tire and and pretty decent price. (I do wish they had shipped together though instead of separately in two giant boxes...)
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Love these tires, October 10, 2011
By William J. Kelly
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I got these to replace the 8 year old tires on my mountain bike. They ride smoother and I think I go a little bit faster according to my average. I found myself using the bike more on roads than anything else, I try to ride to the gym every day, and didn't need the offroad tires but didn't want to comletly lose the capability.
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Good All-Around Tire, October 6, 2011
By soldierblue72
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I put the Kenda Kross tires on my 1987 Schwinn Sierra mountain bike, which is more like a 21st century hybrid bike. The tires are quiet on pavement and roll freely. On hard packed Georgia red clay trails, they grip well if the tire pressure is low. In sand patches over the clay, the tires will slip sideways slightly (sorry for the alliteration) before getting a grip with the edge knobs. I haven't tried them in mud, but I don't think this is the tire you want for truly gnarly conditions. All in all, the Kenda Kross tires are well made, easy to mount, and serve well for hybrid or cross biking purposes. Amazon.com shipped them quickly in a big box.
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Just what I expected, September 12, 2011
By Kathleen F Divis
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These Kenda Kross tires are exactly what I needed for the way I ride. 25-30 miles 4 to 5 times a week. Mostly on paved roads. Easy to mount. I met the UPS man and within 30 minutes I was riding on new tires. Oh yea, I cleaned and lubed my bike while I was at it.
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Great tires for commuting with a mountain bike, September 7, 2011
By James Hunt
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I ride 20 miles a day for my daily commute to work. I try to ride even if weather conditions are not favorable, as long as there's not ice on the roads. The Kenda knobby tires that came with my mountain bike are great for singletrack riding, but they really slow down my commute. Sure, a road bike or a hybrid would be faster, but I only want one bike for my activities. The solution was to put the Kenda Kross tires on. They make a world of difference on the pavement! According to my cycling computer, I've shaved off about 4-5 minutes off my commute and picked up about 1.5 MPH in average speed. These tires can be a little loose on wet trails. I was cornering on a paved trail that had mud washed over the surface and my back tire kicked out. As soon as the knobbies on the side caught hold of the trail the bike instantly righted itself and I powered through the corner. I was so impressed with their performance I ordered a set for my wife's bike so she can keep up with me!
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Awesome tires., August 25, 2011
By Jerry
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Great tires, I have a mountain bike and I barley take it to the mountains/trails etc. I just mainly use it to go to the store and ride around the city and all. These tires are great they make almost no noise and they have very little rolling resistance my bike has never been this fast
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Great Tires, August 14, 2011
By amazonfool1221
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I bought 3 pairs of these tires for my 2 bikes and for 1 pair my mom's bike. I bike commute home from work 3-5 days a week. These tires have made that commute so much better. They are stable and they hold the road well. Excellent in the rain. Just plain good tires no flats in the 6 weeks I have owned them. Thanks Kenda.
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hybrid slicks, June 3, 2011
By kornd (chi)
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I bought the tire with the impression of my bike being faster. Let me say speed was added as well as great handling. On a flat surface with no hill my high speed was 18.6mph and average was 12.5mph. Big improve ment from stock tires which gave me 11.5 high and 9.1 average. Recommend tire to those ppl that want an afforDable tire. Fyi my top speed on stock down hill was 22.5mph can't wait to see what I can do now. Oh by the way this is one tire u need to buy 2 if j want from and back also wouldn't hurt to buy some type of puncture resistant strip or slime for inner tubes. Kenda Kross Plus Front or Rear Slick XC Tire, 26 x 1.95"
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Gret tires..great deal!!, April 2, 2011
By Manny C. (Miami , Fl)
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I got these so I can ride on the road and the trails, I was worried about traction but they worked very well. I am not an expert mountain biker, for hard trail riding you obviously need different tires. I consider these tires a great buy. Cheers!
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Kenda Kross Plus Slick XC Tire, 26 x 1.95", November 3, 2010
By Dave H (Canton, MI USA)
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Great Hybrid Tires (bought front and back) !!! Easier biking on paved roads, and full confidence on dirt roads/trails. Recommend to all !!
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Good tire, great price, June 29, 2010
By Randy (SLC, UT)
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I purchased this for my wife's bike so she could use the trainer during the cold months. Seems to be a great tire, works wonderfully on the trainer.
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I love this tire, June 12, 2010
By michael luostari
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I bought these tires for a single speed mountain/hybrid bike conversion and they work really well. Ive ridden them on pavement, hard packed dirt and some softer mud and dirt and they perform really well. I will definitely buy this tire again when I wear these out which I don't think will be very soon as they seem to wear really well. Overall I have no complaints.
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Good Tire, March 10, 2010
By In the woods (Onalaska WA)
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Overall good tire. Put on Mountain Bike that was being used mostly on road. Package it arrived in was odd. Filled my entire recyle bin with packing for 2 tires.
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Great tire for the money, October 26, 2009
By Fred
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Unless you want to spend more money at a bicycle shop, Amazon is the place to go. Discount stores seem to have a poor selection if they have any stock at all. These tires ride very well around the neighborhood.
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Awesome, June 27, 2009
By RcYrs
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I bought these to convert my mountain bike to ride easier on the road/trails but still go off road sometimes. I biked to work that morning and found later that my tires came in to my work place. I installed them and did a compare ride back home to the ride to work. I have gained almost 3 mph to my speed and rides much smoother. I would recommand these to anyone. Just be careful on fast sharp turns.
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Works Fine, June 8, 2009
By Harvey (Alabama)
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Bought to replace worn original mountain bike tires. The wife and I do mostly street riding now, so I thought I'd try these out. They ride slightly better than the old knobbies on the street. I'd say that they are fine for a mountain bike being ridden on the street. They by no means convert the bike to a street bike though. I do not believe any tire could do that.
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Great tire, great price, April 20, 2009
By definenormal (Hammond, IN)
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I use my mountain bike to also commute to work, and these tires handle the street terrain perfectly. The slicks make rolling easier, and the tread on the edges handles any unexpected stuff, like gravel and tight cornering. Definitely would recommend them for anyone with similar use situation.
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Good Conversion Tire, April 14, 2009
By REK44 (Florida)
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Since I just use this bike on pavement this was a very good conversion tire. It is quieter and smoother than off road tire and has increased my speed by 1MPH.
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heavy duty bicycle tire, January 11, 2009
By Cajun Man (Atlanta)
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If you have a motorized "friction drive" bicycle, this is the tire for you. Your bicycle will move smoothly with these tires. Very good street tire.
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pretty good for the week I had them, August 12, 2008
By M. Holmes (Albany, NY)
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I only had them for a about a week before my bike was stolen, but they rolled a lot smoother than the original tires I had on my mountain bike. Makes for a quieter, smoother ride for city, street riding. I can't comment on their abilities on trails, since I didn't get the opportunity to test them out.
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Not for my bike, August 23, 2011
By BobH (New Hampshire)
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I couldn't mount these tires on my rims. They were just too small. The tires look cheap and are very heavy. They were returned.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Excellent first step to convert your MTB into a Hybrid/Commuter, November 22, 2011
By R. Hammons (Cleveland, OH USA)
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I bought these to replace very knobby stock tires that came with my clunky old mountain bike to make long rides and commutes more enjoyable, and they have been a pleasure since the day I put them on. I ride gnarled city streets as well as loose and packed gravel trails alike, and have no problems with these guys. They're comfortable and competent. Being able to run at a higher PSI than my stock tires has also increased my ability to hit faster speeds on the straight and flats, and it's killed the whirring noise that followed me everywhere with the knobbies. After a few months with them, I'm at 500 miles and they're still going strong.
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Great For Hard Surfaces, January 12, 2012
By William S. Joyner III (Cordova, TN USA)
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I mostly ride recreationally in the city around parks, usually on paved surfaces. My off-road tires were excessively noisy and caused a lot of drag, not to mention that the asphalt was eating up the tread. I put these tires on and the difference was amazing! Extremely quiet in comparison, and smooth with no more drag. The aggressive tread on the edges provides excellent traction for sharp turns without affecting the overall performance. If you ride a lot around town, do yourself a favor and get the appropriate tires, you won't regret it.
As a side note, the tires I received are blackwall, but are pictured with the color logo. Not sure why that is, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
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Nice tires, Great Price, January 10, 2012
By C. AUTH (Baltimore, MD)
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I replaced some Kenda 2.125" mountain bike tires with these and couldn't be more pleased after riding them about 100 miles. The ride is great on normal road and gravel conditions which is what they're designed for. Time and miles will tell how they'll hold up.
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Good On road tire for MTB, July 6, 2011
By TreyTLH
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The only down side was that I put these on the front and back wheels and they were not able to handle the deep soft sand. They are great for on road and light off road. I have about 200 miles on them and so far I love them other than the sand part, but they were not designed for that.
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Love this tire!, October 15, 2010
By G. Antos (Utica, MI)
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I've been riding on Kenda Kross tires for over 12 years now; this is my third set and I continue to be extremely pleased. The thick, smooth center area provides protection from punctures and creates low rolling resistance on hard surfaces, while the knobby sides give the traction needed when riding or turning on loose surfaces. Maybe not the best tire for the die-hard, off-road rider, but if you spend just as much time on-road as off-road, you should definitely consider it!
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Good Tire - Weird Shipping, August 4, 2010
By Tom Hinds (Buford, GA, US)
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Love the tire, but curious about the shipping.
Ordered two tires in the same order. They got shipped as two separate orders: one on UPS and one on FedEx. One was sent in a box that I may have been able to fit in.
Anyway, got them fast and in good shape. Thanks!
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Outstanding seller, July 27, 2010
By Jeffrey SW Kam (Los Angeles, CA United States)
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Ordered the wrong size tire, contacted seller via email and he got the item back from the post office and reshipped the correct tire, no extra charge. Definitely recommend buying from this vendor.
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Great roller!, January 30, 2010
By DaProfessor (CA)
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I find that the tire takes to the road very well and is also aesthetically pleasing.
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Excellent buy, July 9, 2007
By M. King (Chicago, IL)
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This is the best tire for street and crushed rock trail riding. It makes a huge difference with the slick in the middle with a deeper tread on the outer edge of the tire. Highly recommend this tire.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Kenda Kross Plus 26 x 195 Bicycle Tires, March 24, 2012
By S. Dancer (San Antonio)
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Excellent replacement/conversion tires at a great price! Our son wanted to convert his mountain bike to street tires for a smoother ride while riding around the college campus. These tires are very smooth riding on the streets and sidewalks, and yet have an outer edge that grabs the grass/rocks/dirt very well when off road. Convert your mountain bike to an enduro and enjoy the best of both worlds....
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Kenda Kross good value, March 15, 2012
By bobr
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I'm using the Kenda Kross 26 x 1.95 for "mild" off road riding--bike path,hiking trails, dirt roads, peastone and small gravel surfaces. It does great under these conditions, but beware in mud, the semi slick center section will slip. That is the trade off for have a tire that is fairly quiet and faster than a mtb tire on hard surfaces. Price was unbelievable, under 10 dollars each at Niagara Cycle. Recommended.
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Great product, March 4, 2012
By Switch
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I've been riding on these tires for a few weeks now and am very impressed. I commute to work and my route has some bad areas (cracks, gravel, one spot that is always wet due to a natural spring leaking over the road) and I have better control with these tires than my old knobby tires. The ride is smoother and faster, the "slick" center section of the tires makes it easy to get that acceleration and higher speeds while the outter tread keeps you from sliding in a turn. I have on a few occasions actually scrapped my pedals on the pavement during a fast turn (during the lean) and these tires never even began to lose grip. Will definitly buy more of these when the time comes to replace them.
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Great tires for commuting with a mountain bike, September 7, 2011
By Trekker
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I ride 20 miles a day for my daily commute to work. I try to ride even if weather conditions are not favorable, as long as there's not ice on the roads. The Kenda knobby tires that came with my mountain bike are great for singletrack riding, but they really slow down my commute. Sure, a road bike or a hybrid would be faster, but I only want one bike for my activities. The solution was to put the Kenda Kross tires on. They make a world of difference on the pavement! According to my cycling computer, I've shaved off about 4-5 minutes off my commute and picked up about 1.5 MPH in average speed. These tires can be a little loose on wet trails. I was cornering on a paved trail that had mud washed over the surface and my back tire kicked out. As soon as the knobbies on the side caught hold of the trail the bike instantly righted itself and I powered through the corner. I was so impressed with their performance I ordered a set for my wife's bike so she can keep up with me!
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