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Kenda announces tyres for E-Mountainbikes

05.05.2016
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The fact that e-mountain bikes won’t – and shouldn’t – make a dream team with every single tyre out there is irrefutable. What use is shaving off 400 g on a bike that weighs 20 kg if you’re going get a flat every 500 metres, or alternatively, your air pressure is so high that traction is non-existent or the profile is just not grippy enough?
Fortunately, we aren’t alone in this train of thought and many manufacturers have caught up with the times and are now developing particular tyre models for e-mountain bikes. Take Kenda for instance, who have just launched three of their bestsellers in a new e-bike version.

Nevegal X Pro, Honey Badger DH Pro and Havoc Pro – Kenda have just released strengthened versions of their most popular models for e-bikes.
Nevegal X Pro, Honey Badger DH Pro and Havoc Pro – Kenda have just released strengthened versions of their most popular models for e-bikes.

In our eyes, Kenda have chosen a sensible range of tyre profiles, covering the spectrum with the super grippy enduro tyre, the Nevegal X Pro, the even more aggressive Honey Badger DH Pro and – bang on time for the arrival of plus-size tyres for e-mountain bikes – the Havoc Pro. The three models will initially only be available in one width and in one rubber compound.

Nevegal X Pro / 27.5 x 2.35 / DTC Compound / 120 tpi / KSCT Casing
Honey Badger DH Pro / 27.5 x 2.40 / 42/50 Compound / 120 tpi / LGC Casing
Havoc Pro / 27.5 x 2.80 / DTC Compound / 120 tpi / KSCT Casing

As the name suggests, the Honey Badger DH Pro is from their shed of downhill tyres, offering the most aggressive profile of the trio and the softest rubber compound for maximum grip.
As the name suggests, the Honey Badger DH Pro is from their shed of downhill tyres, offering the most aggressive profile of the trio and the softest rubber compound for maximum grip.
Only marginally less aggressive, the Nevegal X Pro can take on anything from trail to enduro.
Only marginally less aggressive, the Nevegal X Pro can take on anything from trail to enduro.
So far only available with a width of 2.8″, the Havoc Pro is one of the first ever e-mountain bike specific tyres around.

But suitably aggressive tyres are only as good as their air pressure: given the beefier nature of e-mountain bikes, the sidewalls on regular tyres take a beating, or you end up having to put in more air pressure than you’d like just to avoid puncturing. Until now the major trend on market had been to create paper-thin sidewalls just to keep the weight down.

The solution is strengthened or stiffer carcasses, which give stiffness to the tyre and reduce the chance of wallowing, slashing or puncturing without having to increase the air pressure. This is exactly what Kenda are doing by offering three models with a thicker and firmer 120 tpi casing with an extra layer of rubber vulcanized into the sidewall. The weight does increase as a consequence, but that’s forgivable on an e-mountain bike when durability and grip should be a priority.

Having chosen the aggressive profiles, the 120 tpi casing with an extra layer of rubber should render these Kenda tyres fit for an e-mountain bike.
Having chosen the aggressive profiles, the 120 tpi casing with an extra layer of rubber should render these Kenda tyres fit for an e-mountain bike.

We definitely applaud Kenda’s approach and we’re really excited to see how their new e-bike specific tyres are going to perform on the trails. As soon as they’re available, you’ll be the first to know the result.

For more information check the Kenda Website!

Words: Andreas Maschke Photos: Noah Haxel

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