Paired with svelte hoops and inflated to their 125psi maximum climbs are a blast, often eliminating the need to drop a gear. These are characteristics readily appreciated when mounted to middleweight training wheels and a clear illustration of how far mid price clinchers have come in recent years. Carving into corners and leaving braking as late as possible, the Konstrictors inspire confidence, the supple, sophisticated compound hugging wet rural roads and reducing vibration and fatigue over long distances and poor surfaces.
These properties translate well to urban environments; split second changes of course around potholes, opening car doors and errant pedestrians never raised a sweat. Wet manhole covers are tricky at the best of times but even the recessed variety couldn’t cajole a shimmy out of the Kendas.
I prefer run 25mm upwards for winter duties but experimenting with the pressures – dropping them by thirty in one instance – and chasing through cycle paths littered with broken glass, flints and thorns failed to infiltrate the casing, much less cause a flat. On this basis they’d be worthy options for those looking to blast along through the murkier months and I’m pleased to report our test pair moulded to shape a bit during testing, enabling less troublesome removal and refitting in the unlikely event of puncturing.
Good value, high performance race/training tyres that can prove a stubborn fit.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Kenda Konstrictor 700x23c tyre
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
The Konstrictor are a high performance, mid price race/training tyre so named for their handling prowess-a pretty fair synopsis in the main.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
23mm width 125tpi casing, folding kevlar bead incorporating "Iron curtain punture prevention" integral to wall strength. dual compound design for all conditions riding
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Impressive from a mid price clincher.
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
Surprisingly hardy-might be ok as winter rubber for lighter riders wanting to blast along.
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
212g each contributes to climbing prowess and low rolling resistance.
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
7/10
delivers a smooth and surprisingly supple ride over uneven surfaces.
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Performs very well as an all conditions race or training tyre for those seeking to blast along- in most conditions you'd be unlikely to puncture and they felt reassuringly solid but then riders of around 90 kilos might tell a different story.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Low weight, handling, low rolling resistance and good puncture protection.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Our test pair were extremely stubborn to mount in the first instance.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? They'd be strong contenders
Age: 35 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
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