The Chainlink

Speaking of tires...

What makes a tyre like the Schwalbe Delta Cruiser cost 4-5 times as much as the Kenda K35?

 

Seriously, I know that the Schwalbe name is highly regarded and an Asian brand like Kenda is going to be considered a "bargain" tyre.  The Schwalbe is noted for its flat-protection and durability and generally considered a high-end tyre.  It's also a trendy cream-coloured and includes the bloody-brilliant reflective sidewall which is an added safety feature when the sun goes down.

 

Yes, I see that the K35's get poor marks on Amazon reviews but if you look beneath the surface you see that almost all of the people who are giving the tires 1-star reviews are complaining about fitment issues.  You really can't expect that an EA-3 tire fit on an S-5 rim can you?  Perhaps the cheapskates buying the Kendas are less likely to know about tire sizing and more likely to order the wrong thing and then complain about them "not being made correctly and don't fit."

 

Some of the websites selling the K35 say that it is is a 55psi tire while the ones I have are clearly marked 90psi on the sidewall.  I can't find any information on the Schwalbe as far as inflation is concerned but from what I have read about them is that they are more of a balloon tire with a spongier ride.  That is well and good but that also means more rolling resistance and the heavier belt armor means a slower spin-up too. 

 

I've not been able to get out much this winter on my own Kendas so they are still minty and sporting most of the nubs.  I tend to ride my chrome-plated MTB when it gets yucky outside as the Raleigh has enough of a patina already and riding it through the salt every day doesn't appeal to the Vintage Collector in me.  But from what few miles I've put on them these tyres seem to work very well.  I have no idea what kind of longevity they will provide.


Are there any people out there who have had experience with both and can make a fair and honest comparison as far as value and price.  I'm sure the Schwalbes are better tyres -and prettier.  I might even consider them when these wear out -but at 4x the purchase price are they THAT much better?

 

I wish that there was an LBS that stocked a good variety of SA-3 tyres so at least I could look at them side-by-side and touch/feel them.   Until then, it's Amazon and Harris Cyclery...

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on January 17, 2011 at 11:10am

I plan on putting a bottle generator on my Raleigh for the 60's era period effect.  I suppose if I use it much that will significantly decrease the life of the afflicted tyre. 

 

I really appreciate the input into the lifespan of the Kendas.  But since my new ones purchased this past October seem to be marked 90psi it might suggest that Kenda has changed something regarding the construction of the tyre (or maybe just changed their mind as to what the safe max operating pressure is and merely changed the mold ;)

 

I am already running Kendas exclusively on my MTB and am very happy with them.  In the winter I am running a K53 knobby/ATB tire which, with the center raised ridge, is a pretty smooth/quiet/low-resistance rolling tyre when going straight even though it is only a 40psi balloon. In the summer I run the K838 which I am extremely happy with an is a fantastic and butter-smooth comfort bike tire (although it is less than brilliant in the snow/ice).  It runs at 65psi and is so quiet and smooth that it makes this bike almost totally silent with only the slightest bogey whir from the RD.

 

This is why I went with the K35 on the Raleigh 3-speed.  But I've heard that the Schwalbes are so awesome by such sites as Lovelybike and other vintagey ride blogs that I think maybe I might be missing out on something other than hipster-hype.

Permalink Reply by Mike Bullis 5.5-6.5 miles on January 17, 2011 at 12:50pm
I've been running the K35s on my 68 Superbe since 07 and I don't think I've even had a flat yet. Lake Pepin 3 times(soon to be 4) and the 50 mile route on the North Shore Century in 08 not to mention 3 years of commuting (11 miles a day). They are nothing fancy. They are round, black, and made of rubber.

I wouldn't fret much about running a bottle genny and damaging the tire unless you are going to be running it 24/7. Even then, I wouldn't fret. The tire will probably dry rot before the genny wears through the sidewall.

I can't comment on the Schwalbe tires because I've never owned any and probably never will. I have an aversion to spending more on bicycle tires than I pay at Farm & Fleet for my car tires.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on January 17, 2011 at 10:51pm
Nice to hear that Mike.  Looks like it'll be a good long while before I have to worry about replacing my K35's.  Problem, if not solved, then at least forestalled.
Permalink Reply by rb on January 23, 2011 at 7:25am

I have run the Kendas, and they are ok. I ride my bikes everyday if even for a couple of miles to the train. The Kendas are def a good value.

 

The Schwalbes, Delta Cruiser, I much prefer. They do give a more balloon tyre ride- a little more cushy feel- but they really hold up. I felt that they handle a bit better than the Kendas, I also felt that they may have decreased my stopping distances. I have yet to get a flat with any of my Schwalbes. I also have them on a 27" and on 2 folders.

 

I have two pairs of Delta Cruisers in 1 3/8X26, one a whitewall set that i have been running for 1.5 years and a creme set that I just installed yesterday (with the expensive Schwalbe tubes).

 

I feel that the Delta Cruisers are a "get what you pay for" situation. They cost more, seem to have a higher build quality, and look cool, you just have to determine if the extra cash is worth it.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on January 23, 2011 at 7:45am

I have no doubt that they seem to be better tires to some extent -if only due to the increased flat prevention.  They may even last longer to some extent.  I have a hard time reconciling the increased traction AND increased life at the same time.  My experience in the performance world has taught me that stickier rubber goes fewer miles. 

 

Increased life is a good thing but a bicycle tire isn't that hard to change -all other things being equal.  A small increase in lifespan alone isn't commensurate with a threefold increase in price.  To me, the cost/value curve is going the wrong way.  I suppose on a fully-enclosed chaincase bike the PITA factor of changing a tire goes up to the point where needing to replace the tire due to wear or a puncture makes the value of the Schwalbe's increased lifespan and puncture resistance worth the trebling of the sticker price.

 

 

rb said:


I feel that the Delta Cruisers are a "get what you pay for" situation. They cost more, seem to have a higher build quality, and look cool, you just have to determine if the extra cash is worth it.

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