New offroad "hybrid" trials tire

Courtesy of Innovation Offroad website

A new "hybrid" trials/knobby offroad tire coming down the trail?  Time will tell.

As an offroad and trials enthusiast I personally have known the benefits of running a trials type tire on my off road bikes.  When Shinko started offering a 19 inch version of a trials tire a few years back I eventually decided to get one for my 19 inch wheeled offroad converted motocross bike.  For those maybe not familiar with traditional trials tires, the largest size available was an 18 inch because that is what comes standard on any modern trials motorcycle.  So you can see how the Shinko at least gave the converted MX guys an opportunity to try a trials tread (and rubber compound) without having to invest in a whole 18 inch wheel setup.  $80 vs. $800+ for a wheel and tire combo.  However there still are skeptics out there on the benefits of a full blown trials tire on high horsepower 450's converted to offroad duty.  Especially in the sliding and deep mud characteristics, well it appears Kenda might be developing a tire to fit the "inbetweeners" that don't quite want to go full trials because of the lack of side knobs for high speed cornering and brake sliding situations.  

Enter the Kenda Equilibrium Tire.  It looks like they are trying to blend the best of both types of tires, good side knobs and spacing like a traditional knobby and the soft sticky compound and closer spaced knobs more akin to a trials tire in the middle.  No word on the recommended air pressure but one would have to asume the carcass would be engineered for lower pressures used in slower rocky conditions that the traditional trials tires excel at over a traditional knobby.  For more detailed information visit this link over at Innovation Offroad's first look at the Kenda Equilibrium Tire.  Pictures courtesy of Innovation off road.

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Courtesy of Innovation Off Road's website