Kenda USA: The 2018 Pro XCT Season in Tires

​ Perhaps the most common question I was asked by friends and spectators this year was, “... which tires are you going to run on this course?” I created a Kenda MTB Tire Guide for my 2018 XC race season, based on those conversations. This is a brief guide, set up as a quick reference but there is plenty of additional information available on the Kenda site- which is also linked to each tire summary.

Enjoy!

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Here’s the 2018 breakdown on race tire selection.

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Kozmik Lite II 2.20 with R3 Compound (TR 636±25 grams or SCT 698±35 grams)
The Kozmik was my 2018 workhorse race tire. I live and train in a region where we have lots of sand-over-hardpack and these nasty puncture vines called “goatheads.” Kozmiks are also very fast, do beautifully on pavement for training, and excel in rough country like Bend, OR where the shale can be sharper than a kitchen knife. If I come across any shards of glass or other puncture hazards in a pre-ride, I’m already thinking about running the Kozmiks for race day.


Saber Pro 2.20 with R3 Compound (TR 539±32 grams or SCT 645±25 grams)
The Saber is a really really fast tire. I love to run this one at Sea Otter or other venues that include some speedy pavement as part of the course. Definitely the lightest and fastest tire in my arsenal, however they have somewhat reduced puncture protection. This feels like a small and very reasonable trade-off for blazing fast courses. Amazing for STXC courses- very light and extremely agile.

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Karma Pro 1.90 (609±30 grams)
The Karma looks like it could win a barfight- actually I’ll bet it would. These things were built for Eastern peanut butter-mud and slippery conditions. They are rugged, speak fluent shale chunk (and other rocks) and will keep you safe out in the rain, mud and roots. Lots of fun to ride, very much confidence-inspiring. These were loads of fun to play with at Snowshoe Mountain for the USAC National Championships this year.


Flintridge Pro 700x45c (SCT 515±2grams or TR 440±22 grams)
Idaho has some amazing gravel riding and these are my favorite to date. Flintridge Pros are also available in 35 and 40c, but since I’m not generally racing on these I stick to the comfy 45s. They feel like a Cadillac in the chunky stuff and handle any unexpected pavement like a champ.


Stay tuned for a few new additions in the 2019 Kenda line up. The one I’m really excited to test out is the XC race-specific, and crazy-fast Booster. The Booster was developed with Professional World Cup riders to optimize traction and speed. The new R3 Compound from Kenda will be a wicked combo with this new tread pattern. Rumor has it that they should be available in the US soon!

Remember, if you are curious about any of these I strongly encourage you to treat yourself to 25% off with my athlete code FAIRLEE25.

​Happy Trails!

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If you rotate your race tires, be sure to keep track of their uses and successful tire pressures; It’s pretty fun to find patterns over time.

When you realize you have more gear in the garage than anyone else.

My bread and butter tire: The Kozmik Lite II

Short Track Special: The Speedy Saber Pro

So many great tire choices!