after getting real tired of flats during my commute, I finally decided to pay a visit to my LBS a few weeks back and discuss a solution.

I wanted to go biger than the 700x25s I had. Was hoping I could go to a 32 on my trek 1200. He said a 28 was as big as I could get away with and recommended the panaracer paselas. he assured me that with these tires and tuffy liners, I'd be pretty much flat proof.

I ordered the paselas. When I showed up the following week to pick them up, he said he had good news. he found something "even better and cheaper" (5 bucks/tire). They were kenda kwik tracks.

I said fine, I'll take them.

I mounted the front first and managed to pop the tire off the bead about the time i hit 100 psi. I thought i was pretty careful getting the tube properly seated, maybe not. I brought it back and he had no trouble mounting it.

I went home, mounted the rear myself after being damn sure the tube wasn't pinched. It seemed fine.

So, off I went for my first commute on my new flatproof shoes.

About halfway home, I got a slow leak very close to the valve. maybe a half inch away. I didn't recall running over anything that could have caused it. It was on the sidewall part of the tube, so having the tuffy liners didn't come into play.

Anyhoo, I'm kinda pissed. Made a few commutes since with no problems, but I don't have the confidence I thought I was buying.

Anyone got any experience with this tire or the tuffy liners?

I used tuffy liners about two years ago i ended up ditching them, i found the combo of slime and my own liner made up of duct tape has worked better, Im using kenda kwests right now ive put around 400mi on them with no flats and only about a 5-8psi leak a week, my tubes are about a year and a half old so i dont expect much out of them. The problem is though is no tire/liner combo is gonna get you flat proof by any means.

have you thought about the pasela Tourguards as opposed to the kendas or the regular paselas? they are similar to gatorskins in that they have kevlar belting but still very lightweight but they cost about $25 each vs $60 for gators

I know I will never buy another Kenda tire after the last two I bought from my LBS they are cheap, cheap and a piece of s---t never again.
I even called Kenda about the tires that were bought and they looked up the number and model and said I can't find them and don't even show them being made and I said I have the tire right here in front of me and your saying you can't find them and can't see them even being made by Kenda so bye-bye Kenda.

I have a pair of Kenda Kwicktracks in 700 x 32C. Around 3000 miles (mostly commuting and touring), with only only flat. They definitely still have another 1000-2000 miles in them based on tread wear. That being said, I just ordered a pair of Marathon Plus tires to replace them when they wear out.

the tourguards are the ones he suggested and originally ordered for me.

if the kwiktraks don't work out, i may try the tourguards, but, i'll tell him he'll have to do a lot better than the 45 bucks he was going to charge or i'll order them online.

the main thing i don't like about the kwiktraks is they have quite a bit of tread all the way around. according to sheldon, tread on the road is good for just two things slowing you down and picking up crap. i tend to agree.

The Kenda on my Redline 925 is having the exact same problem - a bulging right at the valve. The tire has about 100 miles on it, at max. Very frustrating.

I’ve been commuting on Kenda Kwest 100 psi tires for three years now. I got my first flat on them at 3,500 miles. My first set lasted 6,500 for the rear and 7,000 miles up front. And there is glass everywhere. For a tire that can be had for around $15.00 to $20.00 on the net that’s hard to beat.

If you are unhappy with your Kenda Kwick Trax I would take them back to your LBS and get your money back.