Reviews: Kenda

Kinetics DH 2.6

Reviews: shiggy || Spar†¡cus || Justin || Brice

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Brand Model Stated Size Kenda Kinetics DH 2.6 Front/Rear Bead Tread Width mm / in. Front wire 62.0 / 2.44 Claimed Weight Tread Depth - Center mm Casing Width mm / in. 1205 4.5 54.6 / 2.15 Actual Weight Tread Depth - Side mm Casing Height mm 1075 7.7 50.8 Number Weighed TPI In Production? 1 60 yes Avg. Overall Rating on Front Avg. Overall Rating on Rear   4 0   Notes

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Brand Model Stated Size Kenda Kinetics DH 2.6 Front/Rear Bead Tread Width mm / in. Rear wire 62.8 / 2.47 Claimed Weight Tread Depth - Center mm Casing Width mm / in. 1205 4.5 54.9 / 2.16 Actual Weight Tread Depth - Side mm Casing Height mm 1086 6.8 51.1 Number Weighed TPI In Production? 1 60 yes Avg. Overall Rating on Front Avg. Overall Rating on Rear   0 4   Notes

Reviewer		Date of Review
shiggy		22 Aug 2003
Used as Front Tire	yes (front model)	Used as Rear Tire	yes (rear model)
Pressures Used (psi)	18-25	Pressures Used (psi)	20-28
0-not used; 1-poor; 2-fair; 3-good; 4-very good; 5-great
Performance - Front		Performance - Rear
Surfaces:		Surfaces:
Hardpack	3	Hardpack	3
Intermediate	4	Intermediate	4
Loose	5	Loose	4
Rocky	5	Rocky	5
Gravel	3	Gravel	4
Roots (dry)	5	Roots (dry)	5
Roots (wet)	3	Roots (wet)	3
Mud:		Mud:
Sticky	2	Sticky	1
Deep	3	Deep	1
Slimey	3	Slimey	3
Sloppy	3	Sloppy	2
Just Wet	3	Just Wet	3
Straight Line Traction:		Straight Line Traction:
Braking	5	Drive	3
		Braking	5
Directional Stability/Tracking	5	Directional Stability/Tracking	4
Cornering Traction	5	Cornering Traction	5
Off-Camber Traction	5	Off-Camber Traction	5
Rolling Resistance	2	Rolling Resistance	2
Flat Resistance:		Flat Resistance:
Pinch	5	Pinch	5
Puncture	5	Puncture	5
Cush/Smooth Ride	2	Cush/Smooth Ride	4
Wear/Durability
Tread		can't tell yet
Casing		can't tell yet
Likes
Bash-ability. Directional control. Braking and cornering traction. Cush (with a suspension fork). Light weight for a DH tire and lighter than claimed.
Dislikes
Harsh ride (with a rigid fork). Heavy for a trail tire. Wanders in muddy conditions. Does not clear mud well. Little fork/stay clearance. Heavy for pedaling up the hill. Too wide for good traction on gravel climbs.(rear) Just OK at best in mud
Conclusion
A big, light (and cheap) DH tire that does most things well. Front worked better with 22-25 psi than lower pressures. I first ran it with a rigid fork at 18-20 psi and found it harsh riding. With a suspension fork and 22-25 psi is rides very smooth and controlled - almost a different tire. Used as a trail tire it is on the heavy side and is hard to pedal up gravel climbs. Once on the trail it handles most everything. It can be a little slippery in the wet. Rear works best with the pressure around 25-28 psi.
Overall Rating
On Front	4	On Rear	4

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