Kenda

Kenda is known as a budget brand, and the Kadence tyre is not expensive, but it does a jolly good job for the price.

On picking up one of these tyres, the first thing I noticed was the low weight. The Kenda website claims 197g per tyre (the all-black version) and 205g (with colour hoops) - plus/minus 10g. On the road.cc scales the colour hoop versions we've got for test weighed in at 203g each.

Kenda’s Small Block 8 700x32 are a sprightly and durable tyre representing good value for riders of cross bikes and higher end hybrids liking a blend of asphalt and loose, dry singletrack. However, trade-off in terms of mud churning prowess prevents me recommending them as outright competition rubber for mid winter cross meets but this aside, they’re nigh on perfect for three season’s fun.

Named for their road holding prowess and serpentine tread pattern, Kenda’s Konstrictors have been among the most rewarding mid price 23mm road tyres I’ve used though they're a pig to mount when new, even aboard very traditional rims. Incorporating the brands “Iron Curtain” technology not only safeguards against punctures but forms part of the wall structure, combining speed, handling prowess and durability in a lightweight package.

Kenda's C2C is a proven performer over long distances, scoring a third place in the Race Across America (RAAM), and it's a good performer over here too, though it fares best on smoother tarmac

Kenda’s Kwick rollers are too heavy for audax and not robust enough for laden touring but the keen price and dynamo track makes them contenders for hack duties – particularly in Winter. Despite stiff wire beads, they’re an easy fit on most rims.

Kenda’s quick seal are a sound choice for commuter, mountain, training and utility steeds that need puncture-resisting dependability without a big weight penalty. In contrast to their bulky thorn resistant cousins, the Kwik Seal is a conventional butyl tube containing a sealant designed to seal holes up to an eighth of an inch wide.Over the test period, they’ve proven very reliable but don’t be tempted to leave the spare tube, pump and patch kit at home.

Weighing a mere 69g each, Kenda’s Ultralight tubes would be my choice over Latex variants if I was trying to shave every last gram from my bike. So if you’re a nimble, lightweight racer, these could be a good investment but the heavier and more puncture prone amongst us should look elsewhere.

Weighing a whopping 460g, these are ultra heavy- duty tubes for riders looking for the last word in durability and in both wide section 700c or 26 they’ve never once let me down in several thousand mixed terrain miles.

Made from 4.6mm thick butyl, they’re four times thicker than your bog standard tube and feel every bit the proverbial builder’s hose. Aboard my four season’s fixer with big 38mm rubber they’ve laughed at flints, thorns and riding through shards of glass may have nicked the tyres but it’s never touched the tubes.