Don't believe the hype ! or should you ?

[oldschool rider]

Well I just recieved a package from stodgy with some bits I ordered new seatpost, brake levers, rim tape and some Khe Mac 1.5 tyres.

I had been contemplating for a while about changing my tyres from Maxxis M-tread to some thing lighter and decided to go for the Khe's because they were the lightest.

when I took them out the box the difference in weight to the Maxxis was more than I expected and after having a laugh at the description on the box " This tyre changes the weight of your complete bike dramatically because it's less rotating mass at the end of your frame" I was still sceptical about the whole thing so I put them on pumped up my tyres put them on my bike and fook me what a difference a couple of tyres can make, I haven't had a bike that feels this light since the 80's.

Although the weather in Mallorca has changed and it hasn't stopped raining for 4 days so I haven't ridden the bike yet but just picking it up I notice the difference I can't wait to ride it now.

Well I have posted this just incase anyone is thinking of changing their tyres to kevlar beaded ones but aren't sure about all the hype that goes with them. DO IT !!!!


Steve 

[Bettyswallocks]

Wait while you ride it and feel the differance dude... 

Proper fast rolling tyres, they cant be beat for park use... 

[JT71]

you will notice the difference. I don't have the KHEs myself, i have the Revenge Industries tyres, not quite  as light, but even then the rolling resistance
is noticably less, by bike rolls way faster than on my Cheng Shin Double V kevlars from Spasda.

however, the Cheng Shins were actually grippier....and a fraction of the price.

[fugazi]

I've heard a lot of bad things about the KHE tyres, mostly from flatlanders strangely enough.

[oldschool rider]

Well It's still Fookin raining here   



Steve

[fugazi]

Well it's like fookin winter here 

[gobshite]

flatlanders have to moan about tyres, its de-riguer


i loved the weight of mine but they felt a little plasicky(sp),

and they sound different to every other tyre i've ever used too,

the whole "mac2/mac1.5" size rating thing is dumb,

and you HAVE to keep them pumped up to the designated psi, 110 i think it is, or they'll be prone to punctures,

i'd have another pair though tbh, the weight whore in me can put up with all the negatives

[lazychubs]

ive got the mac 2's i run mine at 90psi never had a puncture even when riding around the streets
altho they do sound like a balloon when they hit the floor lol

[Bettyswallocks]

altho they do sound like a balloon when they hit the floor lol

Thought i'd sound a right loon saying summat about the sound... so i didnt say owt

I always think of those cheap plastic footballs.... lol

[graeme]

they have a reputation for unexplained exloding.

Leave bike in garage/front room over night, and next time you look they have popped for no reason.

Something to do with a central seam or something?

I dunno, never owned any, but will probably be getting one in a few days.

[Bettyswallocks]

they have a reputation for unexplained exloding.

Leave bike in garage/front room over night, and next time you look they have popped for no reason.

Something to do with a central seam or something?

I dunno, never owned any, but will probably be getting one in a few days.

Think that'll be the tubes rather than the tyres, ive had cheapo tubes explode while the bikes sat doing nowt, never put it down to the tyres.. 

[graeme]

Dont think so, too many people with the same thing. The tyre was splitting along the central seam.

Ive bought on now anyway, using it on the rear, so ill see how it goes.

[lazychubs]

mine are over a year old now and no probs as of yet
plus my bike is always in me van which gets reaaly hot when the suns out

[Dr.Robotnik]

Problems are mainly based around the KHE Park tires. These had a very bad problem with exploding, normally causing or caused by the bead tearing from the side wall. The park tires are the lightest of the KHE tires and this is where their bad reputation stems from. They also have the Street and Dirt versions which have a slightly stronger side wall, weigh slightly more and are less prone to randomly exploding but reports have been made that this can still happen.

Rotating weight counts as double so light wheels are normally a good place to lose weight when comparing cost to weight reduction. Tires specifically are good for this sometimes (set-up dependant) allowing the rider to loose upwards of a pound per wheel. Manufacturers noticed this a year or two ago and have been slowly jacking the price up on tires. So good deals are hard to find now but still worth it.

I myself run an Animal GLH-R kevlar bead 1.9 in the rear and it has been prone to punctures, but I ride everyday and Nottingham is full of glass. My front Odyssey 2.10 K-Lyte (Kevlar bead) Aitken tan wall tire however has been brilliant and I will be getting a matching rear soon.

[lodge]

I've ran many kevlar tyres but have to agree the KHE's make a huge difference to weight but the most noticeable difference is in the speed the bike rolls, I only run a KHE on the rear as I like a chunkier tyre on the front.
I haven't had any probs with mine but looking around outside skateparks there's loads lying around, I have looked at a few and they all have split sidewalls.

[oldschool rider]

Well due to work and the fooking rain I still haven't got out on mine yet, but it's my birthday on Tuesday and I also finish my work for the season so I hope to get out soon.



Steve.

[oldschool rider]

YES YES YES !!!!!!

I managed to get out on my bike today and what a surprise, they roll really quick and my bike feels much lighter. I also love having a normal sized front tyre on my bike and not the tractor tyres that seem to be all the fashion just now. I am running the two tyres 1.9 but they look like O/S 1.75 to me and I fookin love it.


Cheers,
Steve.