Replaced my BD POS tires. What a difference in the ride!
12-29-14, 11:34 PM
#1
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Replaced my BD POS tires. What a difference in the ride!
It's true. Many Bikesdirect bicycles arrive at the front door hastily assembled and with less then perfect components and parts. And it's also true that they're a lot less expensive then what you'll find at a lbs.
My Dawes arrived last summer needing to have the wheels true and all the cables needed to be fined tuned. I expected that and I took care of it myself.
the one and only thing about the bike that bugged me was the tires that came with it. Huge 700/28 with wide red sidwalls. The rear tire was molded wrong or something. The tread was lopsided and I couldn't get the bead to set in the rim just right. It was out of round and on a smooth path I could feel it hop up and down.then I replaced them with a cheap pair from performance bike, less then twelve bucks each. Thinner 25c and plain black.
Wow! What a difference! The Dawes doesn't look as flashy but it rides ten times better now.
Nice bike.
My Dawes arrived last summer needing to have the wheels true and all the cables needed to be fined tuned. I expected that and I took care of it myself.
the one and only thing about the bike that bugged me was the tires that came with it. Huge 700/28 with wide red sidwalls. The rear tire was molded wrong or something. The tread was lopsided and I couldn't get the bead to set in the rim just right. It was out of round and on a smooth path I could feel it hop up and down.then I replaced them with a cheap pair from performance bike, less then twelve bucks each. Thinner 25c and plain black.
Wow! What a difference! The Dawes doesn't look as flashy but it rides ten times better now.
Nice bike.
12-30-14, 12:58 AM
#2
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I STILL remember the crappy Kenda tires that came with my former BD bike! I got so many flats an blow-outs, that I became paranoid and started riding Gatorskins until recently! And the BD tubes were junk, too! The valve stem on one of them broke before i even rode the bike. Not complaining though, as that bike served me well for 3000 miles my first year riding.
12-30-14, 02:18 AM
#3
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Yes. Kenda. POS tires. I'll keep a eye on those valves.
12-30-14, 07:40 AM
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Where was the high spot on your tire relative to the valve stem?
Often that problem can be fixed by deflating the tire almost all the way, pushing the valve stem in toward the rim, and re-inflating the tire. The tube is thicker around the valve stem and sometimes that thick section keeps the tire beads from seating.
Often that problem can be fixed by deflating the tire almost all the way, pushing the valve stem in toward the rim, and re-inflating the tire. The tube is thicker around the valve stem and sometimes that thick section keeps the tire beads from seating.
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12-30-14, 07:59 AM
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Kenda make some very good tires. BD probably buys 2nds!
I've seen molding anomalies like the described before, too; my neighbor recently got a Dutch bike from JC Lind-- I forget the brand-- but the front tire was not the same height sidewall all 'round, and while it would seat, it did cause an uneven feel while rolling. Vexed me at first, bit Lind did ship a replacement. Cool shop.
Riding an unseated bead is probably a bad idea, obviously.
I've seen molding anomalies like the described before, too; my neighbor recently got a Dutch bike from JC Lind-- I forget the brand-- but the front tire was not the same height sidewall all 'round, and while it would seat, it did cause an uneven feel while rolling. Vexed me at first, bit Lind did ship a replacement. Cool shop.
Riding an unseated bead is probably a bad idea, obviously.
12-30-14, 10:40 AM
#6
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Where was the high spot on your tire relative to the valve stem?
Often that problem can be fixed by deflating the tire almost all the way, pushing the valve stem in toward the rim, and re-inflating the tire. The tube is thicker around the valve stem and sometimes that thick section keeps the tire beads from seating.
Often that problem can be fixed by deflating the tire almost all the way, pushing the valve stem in toward the rim, and re-inflating the tire. The tube is thicker around the valve stem and sometimes that thick section keeps the tire beads from seating.
In all fairness to Kenda the other wheel was fine. Going to save them and put them on my hybrid.
12-30-14, 12:27 PM
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My Allegro recumbent came with Kenda Quest tyres. They physically separated while on a multi-day ride. I needed up replacing it with an e-bike tyre because it was all I cough find at the time (it was not an ideal time to be looking for bicycle tyres).
At this point my assessment of Kenda Quest tyres is the they will leave you Questing for a better tyre.
At this point my assessment of Kenda Quest tyres is the they will leave you Questing for a better tyre.
12-30-14, 12:49 PM
#8
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I keep looking for the "like" button.
12-30-14, 03:12 PM
#9
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In order to be Cheap enough for you, now you know what corners were cut to get that Price Down.
12-30-14, 07:18 PM
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I've had Kenda Kwests on 6 bikes,never had an issue with them. One flat from a push-pin that jammed into the front. Both the DC and NYC share bikes use them;I've only ever seen like 2 or 3 with flat tires around here. They're not the greatest tires,but in my experience they're a decent economy tire.
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12-30-14, 07:39 PM
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I've had Kenda Kwests on 6 bikes,never had an issue with them. One flat from a push-pin that jammed into the front. Both the DC and NYC share bikes use them;I've only ever seen like 2 or 3 with flat tires around here. They're not the greatest tires,but in my experience they're a decent economy tire.
I do realize that China domestic products are of inordinately poor quality. However It is just not a tyre that I would recommend, or choose, for any application where reliability is a specification.
12-30-14, 10:54 PM
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My Kendas only lasted about 300 miles.
By contrast, I've got 3,000 miles on my current Contis, with not so much as a flat.
By contrast, I've got 3,000 miles on my current Contis, with not so much as a flat.
12-30-14, 11:41 PM
#13
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I have a pair of Kenda Kalientes as stock tires and they have been absolutely wonderful. Got a few pinch flats though, but I don't think that's the tire's fault. Okay once a metal tire managed its way through the tire and got to the tube but that was once.
My other complaint is that they are extremely hard to pull off with tire irons. Must be the 120 threads per inch!
My other complaint is that they are extremely hard to pull off with tire irons. Must be the 120 threads per inch!
