Kenda K879 Kwick Cyclocross

I was using Michelin Mud2 before trying this tire. Let me tell you that for the $ this is a very good tire. Narrow (30), less noisy, and last longer. I really like the side brand name also. Very good!

Stock tires on my cross bike. Light, easy rolling, and get a bite when climbing on dirt. The rear shows wear in the center fairly quickly, but has not flatted and still has the knobs on the sides. Great value tires.

Ive been using these for about 500 miles, on and off road. Overall for the price they are terrific

The positives

They stick very well on hardpack and blacktop without too much stiction - a great balance

They hold together well on gravel for such a thin tire

Terrific on snow and ice

Comparatively resistant to pinch flats

Price

Light

The drawbacks

They wear quickly - what do you expect from a sticky tire

not so good in mud

Its important to remember that they are cross tires, not road tires, not commuting tires. Ive commuted all winter in the snow on these and love them for that, Ive ridden a bunch of singletrack and even a few mtb race courses on them and they stick very well in corners. But remember your contact patch on such a thin tire is limited, so they can skid out on loose surfaces easily if you overload them. They are a sticky tire so even at 80 - 100psi they can hold a corner at terrifying speed on blacktop - but all this requires a compromise and thats quickish wear. If your on the road expect quick wear, mixedoffroadcross they should be good for years.

Have used multiple sets of this tire on three cyclocross bikes for training on rough roads and general solo riding. One tire in about three dozen had a sidewall defect and split under too high pressure. Run them smooth, with usually only one flat on the rear per set, due to a tiny piece of chert. Work just fine for all but soft, deep conditions. My choice for an affordable and very functional all-round tire for all surface solo riding.

The quality of this tire is without question, it runs very true and Kenda's high quality control. A light tire for this much rubber. But for me, the fear factor came on the first time I rolled out my driveway and cornered.

The tread cap is flatter than the tire's case, even on a narrow rim, and the transition onto the treads 'edge' leaning into a turn is instantaneous and squirrly. I've had to compensate for this when I ride this wheelset by remaining more upright and steering thru turns that could otherwise be leaned-in-to. I ride a circuit that doesn't include mud, it is paved path and graded gravel double track around a lake.

My next set of CX clinchers, and they may even be Kenda, will have a round tread profile.

The Kenda K879 Kwick cyclocross tire is a very good tire for the money. I have found this tire to handle well in all conditions. I am running this tire on my Bianchi Zurigo and it works very well on gravel, dirt, grass, hard packed trail, etc. A very good all around tire.

Have these on two cross bikes, one in Nevada for loose dirt and one in the Bavarian Forest where many forest paths are pine needles and gravel. I have several years experience with these and am a repeat buyer. On the hard, they do not slow you down as many other tires do.