When shopping for a plus-sized cross tire, your choices are usually limited to widely-spaced knobbies or minimalist semi-slicks. For those who ride hardpack, or loose-over-hard trails, that means you’re forced to choose between speed or cornering traction. Kenda’s Happy Medium, with its combination tread, offers riders speed and control in a single tire.
The Happy Medium utilizes a modified diamond design for the majority of its tread. The elements are spaced far enough apart to provide good traction, but their low height helps reduce speed-robbing flex. On-road, the ride is smooth and quiet, even at the lower pressures typically used for dirt and gravel.
My GPS confirmed that the Kendas are fast, easy rolling tires. Where they really shine, though, is with their predictable cornering. Although the side knobs are widely spaced, their placement and height are optimized for a smoother transition from center to edge. When you lean the bike over, there’s no “dead spot” between the center section and side knobs. Cornering is very predictable, and if you do happen to push them too hard, their drift is relatively easy to control.
The Happy Medium is available in 700×32, 35, and 40 sizes. My 700×40 tires measured 38mm at the casing, and 40.5mm at the knobs (mounted on a 23mm rim, fully inflated). Weight was a respectable 448g, which was within Kenda’s advertised range (435g +/- 22g). The tires feature folding beads, and Kenda’s dual-durometer DTC tread compound. Recommended pressure is between 50 and 85psi, but I ran them as low as 40psi with no problems.
For additional information, visit Kenda’s website.
Mind if I ask how much weight those tires were handling at 40psi?
I rode WTB Mutano Raptors for a season or so on my cross bike for trails and some racing, and the deep tread was just too much for any mud and most smooth surfaces. This tire looks much better. I’ll have to pick some of these for my Soma Double Cross for some trail riding next summer.
I weigh 200 pounds, and the bike is around 25. None of the trails that I ride are overly rocky or rooty, so pinch flats aren’t a big concern.
Do ou still feel the same way about the happy medium’s?
I am building up a Mtn Cycle Stumptown and want an all around tire for road and gravel, fire roads.
I really like the Happy Mediums. Super predictable (no, “oh shiiii…” feeling when you lean them over), and when they do break loose, it’s easy to recover/control. The rubber compound and casing are nice and supple, so you still get a nice ride at higher pressures. The center knobs wear quickly on pavement, but because the base is wider (and they’re short), they don’t tear off. If they made a 650B version I’d be in heaven.
Would you rate the Happy Mediums better than the Ritchey Speedmax?
Because the Ritchey Speedmax were so narrow/under-sized, I never rode them. I’m extremely happy with the Kendas, though.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Happy Mediums. I’m considering these for gravel & “supercross” events, however, not sure on size. Are the tires true to size? And, at 5’5″ 125lbs, do you think 35s will suffice?
(Currently riding ’12 Redline Conquest Team carbon – 17.5 lbs)
Thanks!
I haven’t ridden the 35s, but the 40s were true to size. Really nice blend of roll-speed and grip. Super-predictable in corners, too.