As we saw on a number of bikes at this year’s North American Handmade Bicycle Show, Kenda’s Flintridge Pro has become a popular tire choice for the gravel going crowd. And now there is word that there will be a second “Tubeless Race” version of the tire.
The Flintridge Pro takes its name from the sharp jagged rocks of the Kansas’ hills. The model’s tread features a smooth centerline tread for fast rolling smooth sections of your ride as well as grippy transition and shoulder knobs for the loose stuff. Kenda’s KSCT casing is designed to reinforce the tire’s sidewalls and optimize the casing for tubeless conversion and the Flintridge Pro, as of this writing, comes in a KSCT version only.
There are currently 40mm and a 35mm widths available in the Flintridge Pro, with a 120 tpi and a retail price of $59.95 USD. The 40mm version comes in at a claimed weight of 515 grams, while the 35mm version is said to weigh 481 grams. Our test version of the 40mm was slightly lighter at 491 grams, which was a nice surprise.
Our 40mm test tires measured out to just 39.64mm wide when mounted on ROL C35 Disc carbon clinchers, which have a 17.5mm internal width. Your milage may vary depending on your wheel choice.
There are also 40mm and 35mm Tubeless Race versions due soon. These models will be purportedly be lighter and are slated to be slightly less expensive.
More info: bicycle.kendatire.com/en-us/
The KSCT version is the only one currently available, but a “Race Tubeless” Flintridge is on the way from Kenda. © Andrew Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
