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We bought a peek at Kenda’s new Dagger tire at Sea Otter Traditional, and now the model has formally pulled the curtain again on what appears to be like like a really good new choice for contemporary XC and marathon riders.
Cross-country tires was once simple to type out. You had the super-fast one for dry race days, the sketchier one for once you have been feeling courageous, and the marginally chunkier backup for the surprising. As of late, XC and marathon driving have gotten rougher, quicker, and loads much less course-specific.
What’s the Kenda Dagger?
The brand new Okay-Sequence Dagger is Kenda’s newest XC and light-trail tire, constructed to fit between the pure-speed Rush and the extra traction-heavy Karma 2. The concept is fairly easy: preserve the rolling pace that issues on race day. Then sprinkle on sufficient cornering assist, braking chunk, and all-condition predictability to make it sensible.
Kenda confirmed off the brand new (and unreleased) Dagger on a set of Berd Hawk GOLD 32″ race wheels – a transparent exhibiting that they have been forward of the curve on the 32″ race dialog/manufacturing.
What’s it for? Dagger seems to be an all-around XC tire, designed for contemporary cross-country racing and aggressive marathon driving. It succeeds the outdated Booster on this a part of the lineup. Providing a broader working vary than a pure hardpack-only race tire.
Let’s Discuss Casing
Presently, the Dagger is available in 29 x 2.40 or 29 x 2.60 with two casing choices. The lighter XC casing makes use of 120 TPI and carries a claimed weight of 725 grams, whereas the extra strong Path casing makes use of 60 TPI with a claimed weight of 810 grams. Kenda says extra sizes, together with a 32″ mannequin, are on the horizon.
There are two casing choices for the brand new Dagger: The XC casing is clearly the race-day choice for riders chasing each little bit of pace they’ll get. The Path casing offers up a bit weight, however provides the type of sturdiness and confidence. That additional peace of thoughts can matter much more as soon as the path turns rocky, the occasion will get lengthy, or the rider is much less keen on residing proper on the sting of “mild sufficient.”
It’s a wise break up, and it ought to make the Dagger interesting to greater than only one kind of XC rider.
Tread Design: Fast and Severe On The Edges
Kenda’s tread story right here is fairly easy for a race tire and for the compound. The Dagger makes use of low-profile heart knobs to maintain rolling resistance low and pace excessive. Out towards the shoulders, issues get extra severe, with aggressive cornering knobs. These additional knobs usually are not too excessive and keep the tire’s spherical profile. Nonetheless, they’re deep sufficient so as to add chunk and assist when the bike is leaned over.
Kenda additionally provides siping for additional grip on rocks, roots, and slick surfaces. The sipping replace, together with staggered knob spacing, ought to enhance mud clearance.
Besting The Booster
If there’s one quantity Kenda desires riders to note, it’s rolling resistance.
Based on Kenda’s information, the Dagger XC has a rolling resistance of 17.2 watts, and the Dagger Trail has 18.6 watts. Kenda says that the 21.0 watts for a number one competitor and 26.6 watts for the outdated Booster XC clearly put the Dagger on the sharp finish of the XC tire world. Kenda claims the brand new Dagger can save as much as 30% watts the place it counts.
Now, each model likes a chart that makes its new tire appear to be the reply to all the pieces, however the proof might be within the tire’s driving really feel and reliability. We’ll know these when our assessment samples arrive.
One Compound To Rule Them All
Kenda can also be utilizing a single compound right here. There isn’t any triple tremendous compound or particular sauce, only a single thought all through all of the casing choices. The compound appears to be like to steadiness rolling pace, grip, and predictable rebound. Giving the tire the same trip in each casings, with out overcomplicating the lineup.
Race Confirmed
Kenda can also be leaning on a helpful little bit of race credibility right here, noting that the Dagger helped the model’s Torpado Workforce take a win on the Hero Marathon World Cup.
That may be a good consequence to have within the launch pocket. For me, nevertheless, the larger story is how the Dagger appears positioned for on a regular basis quick riders, too. This appears to be like just like the type of tire that ought to make as a lot sense on lengthy coaching rides, marathon occasions, and tough native loops because it does between the tape.
Not everyone desires the quickest potential tire if it means white-knuckling each moist root and blown-out flip. Or having to switch the race day treads month-to-month after they put on out. The Dagger appears to be like like Kenda’s reply for riders who nonetheless care about pace, however would additionally like to remain upright lengthy sufficient to get pleasure from it.
Kenda Dagger Specs
Sizes at launch: 29 x 2.40, 29 x 2.60
Further sizes coming later: 27.5 x 2.40, 32 x 2.40
Casings: XC 120 TPI, Path 60 TPI
Claimed weights: 725g (XC), 810g (Path)
Compound: Single compound
Bead: Folding
Journey intent: XC racing, aggressive marathon driving, mild path use
Value: $80-90
If the trip matches the numbers, the Dagger might find yourself being a kind of actually helpful tires that wins riders over the old school manner: by quietly being the proper instrument for lots of rides. We’ve some coming in for assessment, and we’re excited to get it on the trials. Keep tuned.
Kendatire.com
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