About Kenda and the new K-Series - A story from the Vienna Woods

Originally, I wanted to tell you in this story how the new K-Series from Kenda rides on the equally new Trek Fuel. Originally, as stated in the invitation, it was supposed to be “every ride a tiny holiday” – originally. But then autumn hit Vienna hard, and the Vienna Trailbrunch, the basis for my first test rides, eventually turned into the Vienna mud-bath.
The trails in the Wienerwald were thoroughly soaked, but honestly, an autumnal rustic mud bath is more fun for me than a day in a posh wellness hotel. So, as part of a horde of international journalists, I threw myself into the trails of the Trailcenter Vienna together with the Kenda pros.

But before you follow me into the muddy expanses of the Vienna Woods, I would like to provide you with some background information about Kenda – a traditional company that has been focusing on bicycle tires since the pioneering days of mountain biking and is now aiming to reclaim a share of the European tire market with the new K-Series.

Eric Yang from San Francisco, head of the Power Sports Team and grandson of the founder, talked about the beginnings. Kenda was founded in 1962 in Yuan-Lin, Taiwan. The focus was initially on bicycle tires, soon followed by scooter, motorcycle, and automobile tires.
What has distinguished Kenda from the beginning was the close connection to the OEM market. Countless brands, including in Europe, rely on Kenda as an original equipment manufacturer. This ensured volume, but less brand identity. However, behind the scenes, they were already delivering back then – even for very large manufacturers who valued Kenda as a reliable and loyal supplier.

With its entry into the MTB market in the late 1980s, Kenda began to gain significance among ambitious riders. In the 1990s, a loyal fanbase developed.
The breakthrough came with the Nevegal – developed together with John Tomac. A tire for aggressive all-mountain riders: fast, grippy, durable. For many, the Nevegal was considered the ultimate do-it-all tread of its time.

More classics followed: the Small Block Eight for XC and dirt jump, the Honey Badger as an all-rounder with a balance between grip and speed, or the Excavator for tough freeride and downhill terrain.

Today, riders like Clemens Kaudela, Peter Kaiser, or Daniel and Elias Ruso demonstrate with their performances in slopestyle, downhill, or enduro that Kenda is not stuck in the past.
The transfer from practice to product has remained: The riders provide their feedback directly to the developers. And they deliver.

Anyone who clicks through the current range quickly realizes: These are not generic tires.
The Hellkat, for example: a true all-rounder for enduro and downhill, with tailored rubber compounds (ATC, AGC, AEC) and casings depending on the intended use. Or the Pinner, Johannes Fischbach's favorite tire for tough tracks. The XC and trail segments have also been upgraded, for instance with the Booster Pro or Regolith, both also available as Tubeless Ready and with Kenda's SCT protection.

Recently, Kenda has launched a completely new product line with the K-Series. The goal: On one hand, to streamline the portfolio and, on the other hand, to reach the top of the world in terms of performance and dominate the World Cup tracks.
Doubleblack is the name of the new downhill tire, which aims to be a true all-rounder in its tread design and comes in four different constructions depending on the intended use (Trail, Allmountain, Enduro, Downhill). While Kenda recommends the Hellkat more for muddy conditions and the Pinner more for dry terrain, the Doubleblack is designed to cover a much broader spectrum. How broad that spectrum is, I later got to experience firsthand in the Vienna Woods.

Also part of the K-Series is the new Crusher, which is the fastest tire in Kenda's gravel lineup. It is available with a 120 TPI casing for maximum performance, and with a continuous 60 TPI layer that is designed to provide greater durability, primarily targeting adventurers and long-distance riders.

For me, this day marks two premieres on the trail: the new Kenda K-Series Doubleblack and the new Trek Fuel EX. Both are products designed for maximum range and versatility, making them a perfect match.

After several days of heavy rain and continued drizzle until the first lift ride, the trails are accordingly slippery—and by slippery, I mean Vienna Woods clay-max-out-level slick. This is where the Kenda Doubleblack Trail on my Trek can show what it's made of under such wild boar-like conditions. And what can I say: Trek slides, Trek regains traction, everything glides through the curves as if greased with soap. Without breaking a sweat from fear, I pick up speed, transport myself back to 2011, and feel like Danny Hart in Champery. Since that legendary ride, we’ve known: Speed is king and helps immensely in such adverse conditions to keep the treads clear. And clear treads mean grip.
In the case of the Kenda, I am particularly impressed by the smoothness with which the sliding ride can be brought back under control. Even over the small root carpet at the end of the Spompanadl Trail, the Doubleblack gives me so much confidence that I simply stay full throttle on the line—and indeed: the tire holds.

After what feels like ten descents, my strength starts to fade, and as the clay soil dries, it seems to become increasingly sticky, slippery, and unpredictable. In the end, everyone meets at the bike wash for a 20-minute removal of the crust.
It was a short initial test of the Kenda Doubleblack Trail, but a very promising one. As soon as I get another set under my wheels, there will be a detailed review.

There will soon be a dedicated review of the new Fuel here, so I will keep my impressions and the technical data brief.
The Fuel is a true all-rounder and, with the new geometry, can be configured quite flexibly, from light trail/all-mountain use to hardcore enduro. The significant differences in suspension travel can be achieved with different linkages, ranging from 150 mm at the fork on the Fuel EX to 160 mm on the MX and up to 170 mm on the LX, depending on the configuration, even with a coil shock. Additionally, the installed shock can be further adjusted to the rider's profile thanks to the flip-chip.

As always, the paint job on Trek bikes is a real highlight. My test bike in Gloss Chameleon Green / Matte Black looks absolutely "sharp," while the frame in Purple Phaze / Amethyst Marble is no less spectacular.
The bike feels exactly as I expect a Trek Fuel to feel on the first few meters. The seating position, geometry, handlebar width, and suspension all come together to immediately give me a relaxed sense of security. Despite the adverse weather and the corresponding mud layers on the bike, Shimano's XT Di2 works flawlessly. The only thing that could have helped under these extreme conditions would be a chain guide for the chainring.

Geometry Fuel LX 29"

Geometry Fuel MX

Geometry Fuel EX

The practical compartment in the down tube, which also integrates the mount for the bottle holder, is rightly very popular and is implemented in a mechanically clean, robust, and elegant manner on the new Fuel, ensuring that nothing can rattle or come loose on the trail.
All in all, I had a lot of fun with the Trek and would have loved to do a few more laps in dry conditions or alpine terrain with it. What is possible with the bike has been demonstrated not only by the pros at the trail brunch but also by us during many of our tours with the previous model. The Fuel EX class is certainly among the most versatile bikes on the market.