MTB Tire Test: Kenda Rush Pro SCT TLR
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 24.7 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 30 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 62 Points
- Conclusion: 3.7 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Kenda Rush Pro SCT TLR
As its name implies, the Kenda Rush is engineered to prioritize speed. It features a low-profile design and a high-void tread pattern that delivers mud clearing, grip where needed and rolls smoothly on solid surfaces. In addition, Kenda has developed a dual-layer compound exclusively for this tire, and they claim it's their quickest mountain bike tire to date.
Ad Buy Kenda Rush Pro SCT TLR at Amazon.com
Although Kenda has been manufacturing bicycle tires for a long time, we haven't tested many of them yet. We tested their Smallblock Eight (read our review) mountain bike tire in 2015 and their Juggenaur Pro (read our review) fat bike tire in 2016, but neither showed remarkable performance in our tests. Eight years without a test is a long time, and it's time to take another look at one of Kenda's mountain bike tires.
The Rush Pro looks to be one of Kenda's latest tires and presents an excellent opportunity to see how Kenda's latest tires perform in our tests. The Rush Pro is available in both a "TR" and "SCT" version, where the SCT version comes with reinforced sidewalls and obviously is a bit heavier. Both tires are tubeless-ready, but the reinforced SCT version should be the more convenient option, while the TR version should be the better option when you need that last bit of performance.
Kenda offers the TR and SCT versions in the 29x2.20 and 29x.240 sizes. We've tested the 29x2.40 Rush Pro SCT, and we'll compare it to the latest and greatest mountain bike tires.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kenda |
| Model | Rush Pro SCT TLR |
| Year | 2024 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | 077H5066 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | - |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 61-622 |
| Size Inch | 29" |
| Width Inch | 2.40 |
| Specified Weight | 696 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 40 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
29x2.20 29x2.40 |
Kenda Rush Pro SCT TLR Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 696 grams |
| Measured Weight | 687 grams |
| Measured Width Carcass | 57 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Width Tread | 57 mm |
| Measured Height | 55 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 1.8 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 2.4 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) | 1.8 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | None (40 ml sealant) |
| Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar |
21.2 Watts CRR: 0.00635 |
| Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar |
24.7 Watts CRR: 0.00740 |
| All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load. |
|
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 30 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 1.8 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 62 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 1.8 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 2.4 mm |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 MTB grip test rim width = 30.0 mm |
|
| Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info) | |
Conclusion
- Kenda Rush Pro SCT TLR
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
The Kenda Rush Pro SCT offers a very balanced performance in our tests, and we can't find any real weaknesses. The balanced performance also means there are no areas where the Rush Pro excels; it simply comes in in the middle of the pack in almost all of our tests. If the tread pattern suits your needs, this should work well as a set-and-forget tire for year-round usage.
The SCT sidewalls aren't particularly strong, and we expect the lighter, non-reinforced TR version to come in even lower here. The SCT version should be a no-brainer for most as it's strong enough and seals well for a tubeless-ready mountain bike tire.
We're looking forward to testing more Kenda tires in the future.
Ad Buy Kenda Rush Pro SCT TLR at Amazon.com
RATING:
3.7
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended