The new Kenda Valkyrie TLR brings their top level road bike tire into the fully modern age with a new tubeless-ready design. Adding to that are two new gravel bike treads, each aimed at very different riders, to complement their Alluvium and Flintridge options. Here’s the details…
Introduced in early 2017 as their full performance road bike tire, the Kenda Valkyrie poured all of the brand’s development talents and technologies into creating a tire that gripped tenaciously, was resistant to flats, and rolled efficiently. Now, for 2019, they’re adding their SCT moniker to the feature set, making it sealant compatible. Or, in common parlance, “tubeless ready”. Max tire pressure ranges from 100psi to 120psi depending on size.
And, the new TLR models will come in 23, 25, 28 and 30 millimeter widths! Claimed weights for the TLR versions are 234g, 252g, 283g, and 327g. All use their 120tpi folding bead, but the TLR changes up the protection slightly. Where the original (and still available) Valkyrie Pro gets their K-Armor puncture protection for the utmost resilience against pointy things, the TLR gets a full bead-to-bead protection layer that’s only slightly less puncture resistant, but improves sidewall cut resistance. Price is TBD, but look for them to hit stores. soon.
New Kenda Gravel Tires for 2019
Labeled as a prototype and with no official information available yet, the Booster gravel tire borrows the recently introduced Booster mountain bike tire’s tread pattern. The knob sizes and spacing are condensed to fit the 700×40 tire size, but otherwise appears very similar.
Considering the Booster is Kenda’s new XC fighter, we suspect this will be an equally lightweight and supple option for gnarlier gravel bike events where more traction is needed. Compared to the classic looking Flintridge and file tread Alluvium, this one should give them a better option for dry, rocky, loose-over-hard surfaces…perhaps making a great front tire with the Alluvium on the back.
At the other end of the spectrum is the new Kenda Piedmont, a budget quasi-file tread design that’s aimed at the entry level rider. Using the same angle as their new El Capo mountain bike tire, the 700×40 Piedmont likely gets a basic 30tpi casing and single compound rubber.
The design should be fast rolling, though, and offer decent hard pack performance for a low price. As in, great for “family” bikes that aren’t being ridden as aggressively, but who still want to join mom or dad on the real rides.
