Kenda Rush Pro tyre review

The Kenda Rush Pro is one of the lightest cross-country tyres on the market, yet it often flies under the radar. With a standout spec sheet, hassle-free installation and fast, confident performance across a wide range of surfaces, it’s a tyre that deserves far more attention.

• Schwalbe Rick XC tyre review
• Vittoria Peyote XC Race review
• WTB Macro tyre review

Kenda Rush Pro – Technical Details

Kenda claims the Rush is the fastest MTB tyre that it has ever created, and it is also one of the lightest available. Designed for fast conditions, it is available in 2.2” and 2.4” versions, and I have had both sizes to test.

The 2.2” has a claimed weight of 607g, with our black sidewall version weighing 625g. The 2.4” is claimed to weigh 696g, and both tan sidewall tyres we have used have weighed 695g. This makes them one of the lightest overall, and the lightest 2.4” tyres I have tested to date.

Kenda Rush Pro Close 2.jpg, by Matthew Page

The tyre features a dual-compound rubber, with a 120 TPI construction. Both sizes that have been tested feature the SCT sidewall reinforcement, which is a fabric strip that lines the edge of the casing.

Kenda Rush Pro – Performance

Fitting the tyres was refreshingly simple. Most of the testing was done using Hunt’s Proven rims, though the 2.2” version was also mounted to a Bontrager Kovee rim. In every case, the tyres went on by hand and inflated easily with just a track pump. The casing feels thin, but the SCT reinforcement provides just enough structure to hold its shape during installation and inflation.

Kenda Rush Pro Tread 1.jpg, by Matthew Page

As you’d expect from a lightweight, low-profile design, the Rush Pro rolls exceptionally well across a wide range of surfaces, from tarmac to loose trails. It’s also impressively quiet, avoiding the hum or buzz that some off-road tyres generate on hardpack or tarmac.

Of the two versions, the 2.4” is my clear favourite. The added volume allows lower pressures, giving more comfort and control without compromising speed. The 2.2” still has its place, especially for bikes where tyre clearance is limited. I ran the narrower version on the rear of my race bike during a British National XC round in damp, greasy conditions. It performed admirably, with just a little slip on steep, wet rock, but held on through the descents without issue.

For the majority of testing, I stuck with the 2.4” version, and the tyres inflated to 62mm (2.44″) with the rims that have a 30mm internal diameter. They’ve stayed on the bike through a wide range of conditions and multiple races, and have delivered consistently impressive performance throughout.

Kenda Rush Pro Logo.jpg, by Matthew Page

The tread design is both low-profile and open, which helps explain its versatility. The only notable shortcoming is on fine, loose-over-hard surfaces, where there’s a slight tendency to break traction. On everything else, from trail centres to compacted dirt and natural tracks, wet or dry, grip has been predictable and dependable. You can commit to corners with confidence, knowing the tyre will hold its line.

Through the corners, the Rush Pro delivers consistent grip right up to the edges, without the sudden loss of traction that some tyres experience before the side knobs engage. I found they perform best at lower pressures, which helps keep more of the tread in contact with the ground at all times, enhancing control and confidence.

Kenda Rush Pro Close 2.jpg, by Matthew Page

It’s hard to quantify rolling resistance in real-world riding, and lab results only tell part of the story, but the Rush Pro feels close to the best I’ve used. Against comparable options like the Schwalbe Rick XC and Vittoria Peyote, the Kenda holds its own. In fact, for a recent dry race where I had all three tyres to hand, I stuck with the Rush Pro front and rear and went on to win my category. The tyres were faultless.

At sub-700g for the 2.4”, they’re the lightest I’ve tested in that width. For comparison, the Rick XC comes in at 760g and the Peyote at 715g. While 50g might seem marginal, rotational weight matters, especially at the outer edge of the wheel. My preferred setup pairs the Rush Pro with a Tubolight Diamana SL insert, which is one of the lightest available, offering both protection and the ability to finish a ride or race even if flat.

Kenda Rush Pro – Verdict

For outright speed in dry conditions, the Schwalbe Rick XC remains my top choice, especially on fine gravel where its tread pattern offers more cornering confidence. Its main drawback is in muddy conditions, where the closely spaced tread can quickly clog and struggle to clear. It does cost more at £69, with the Vittoria Peyote being another very fast option at £65. The Peyote is impressively quick but even more specialist, best suited to use on the rear. While it performs better than expected for a virtually slick tyre, it can’t match the Rush Pro for traction.

The Kenda Rush Pro offers reliable handling and solid grip across most cross-country summer and race course conditions. It may not be the very fastest tyre in all situations, but for riders who want consistent performance without the cost or faff of swapping tyres for every course or weather change, it’s a strong and dependable choice. I’d happily run them for almost any race in drier conditions.

• bicycle.kendatire.com
• The reader’s guide to off.road.cc’s review scoring system

You might also like:

• Buyers guide to mountain bike tyres – get the best rubber for your MTB
• Cycling motivation: 8 tips to get you back on the bike
• Cross-country mountain bikes: understanding their design