Kenda has introduced the K-SERIES Ripper, a trail and all-mountain tyre intended to sit between its fast XC rubber and heavier enduro options. Announced on 5 October, it is aimed at both conventional mountain bikes and eMTBs.
A middle ground for everyday trail riding
The design pairs broad tread blocks with a dual-layer rubber compound. Kenda says the outer layer prioritises traction while the base is intended to keep rolling resistance down. Its Trail casing is pitched at aggressive trail use, rather than presented as a downhill casing.
That brief makes sense for riders whose routes combine surfaced links, flowing singletrack and rougher descents. The unanswered question is how much support and grip the tyre retains when conditions deteriorate. Kenda’s claims about speed, braking and cornering are manufacturer claims; we have not tested the Ripper.
Wheel sizes and availability
The US product listing includes 27.5in and 29in diameters in 2.4in and 2.6in widths, with 60tpi Trail construction. A coffee-coloured sidewall is also listed for the 29 × 2.4in version. Those are range options, rather than confirmation that every version is available.
Kenda lists the tyre at US$84.95. At the time of checking, its US store marked the two 29 × 2.4in variants available, while the other listed sizes were unavailable. UK pricing and retail availability remain unconfirmed, so the US price should not be treated as a landed UK cost.
What matters for an eMTB
The useful comparison will be against other trail tyres on the same rims, at suitable pressures and on the same terrain. A motor does not remove the trade-off between casing support, weight and rolling drag. Nor does an all-round brief establish how a tyre will behave on wet roots or deep mud.
For now, the Ripper is a new option to watch rather than a tested recommendation. See Kenda’s Ripper specification and size listing and its launch announcement for the manufacturer’s details.