Kenda Crusher Review: Swift, Supple, and Sure-Footed
Words and photos by Dave Malwitz
Kenda is no stranger to making great tires for gravel. A decade ago they launched the Flintridge Pro, their first gravel-specific tire that came in 35 and 40mm widths. Those sizes were persistent for years from tire brands while some of us could be found searching for anything wider that would fit. Eventually 45mm options started appearing, but riders chasing even more volume found a workaround by swapping to 650b wheels that could magically fit a few more millimeters in the same frame. Those days of scouring websites for the unicorn big volume tire are largely behind us as the industry caught on to what riders want, and racers discovered the benefits too. Enter the Crusher, a tire that wouldn't have existed a decade ago but feels perfectly timed for where the sport is now.
I first learned about the Crusher at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic. The Kenda team was developing a fast tire with a smooth center rib to minimize resistance on faster surfaces, but they were keeping it under wraps for a bit longer. When it finally launched a few months later they sent over a set in 700x50 for testing. This was the size I was most curious about as it would be Kenda's largest volume 700c gravel tire to date, and by 2025, 50mm had become closer to gravel's operating center of gravity.
Looking at the profile, some will quickly recognize the similarities with other tires that share a slick center, but the Crusher uniquely features siping along the edge of the rib for added traction and stopping power. Moving towards the edge there are transition knobs for additional grip through gradual turns, followed by shoulder knobs with even more bite for more intense cornering. According to lead engineer Tony Yandek, the objective with the Crusher was to "develop a tread pattern and casing that work together to offer a tire that rolls very well on firm surfaces and has enough grip for pushing off-road, both for casual riders and endurance athletes."
Late winter in San Diego meant it was time to head east for some recon work for the next edition of the Great Western Reroute, our annual gravel gathering that returns for its 9th edition on May 16. Preparing the route I thought the Crusher would be the perfect tool for the job, with long stretches of road that led to premium gravel and a smattering of more technical terrain in parts of the Cleveland National Forest and Pine Creek Wilderness. The specific Crusher I tested was the 700x50 with 120 TPI CSK casing. Mounting was no sweat a few days earlier on my Revel RW23s, adding 3-4oz of Orange Seal Endurance to each.
The fast and functional looking tread delivered as I logged a quick 7 miles on the shoulder of Willow Glen Drive to arrive at one of my favorite portals to gravel. The tire felt just as at home on the dirt as it did on the road, maintaining traction through turns yet still offering unhindered speed through the flats. Kenda developed a dual layer compound specifically for the Crusher featuring a firm underlayer for improved rolling resistance and a softer exterior for grip and handling. That combination of speed and grip isn't just working on backyard adventures like these. Alexey Vermeulen just took 3rd at RADL GRVL on Jan 23, 2026 in McLaren Vale aboard this exact tire, proving the Crusher has legs at the highest levels of the discipline.
Three S words come to mind to describe the Kenda Crusher: Swift, Supple, and Sure-footed. SWIFT! One of my favorite aspects of gravel is moving through off-road terrain with speed, and the Crusher is great at just that. The slick center prioritizes speed and efficiency over aggressive traction. SUPPLE! The Crusher is also plenty smooth and comfortable, likely due to the build quality and high thread count. SURE-FOOTED! When you need it most the Crusher delivers with confidence and grip. The side knobs bite when you lean into corners and offer assurance on moderately technical descents, but this isn't the tire I'd choose for consistently steep and loose terrain. For the majority of gravel riding where speed matters and technical sections are brief, the Crusher finds the perfect balance. Kudos to Kenda for delivering an all around great tire that everyone will appreciate. On your next tire refresh don't miss the Crusher, it will optimize your energy while also keeping the ride fun and composed.
With 15 different part numbers offering a selection of sizes, casings, and colors of the Crusher you should be able to find what you're looking for. Sizes range from 35-50mm in 700c, and both 45 and 50mm in 650b. There are two casings available, 120 and 60 TPI (Threads Per Inch). This measurement of casing density is basically a choice between comfort and grip versus durability, where a higher number is generally the preferred choice unless you value puncture resistance above all else. For sidewall flavors I do like myself some coffee, though isn't coffee sometimes black? According to Kenda the CSK sidewall "is not quite tan and coffee always goes well with cycling so we called it coffee." Works for me! You can pick up the Crusher reviewed here for $73.95 at shop.kendatire.com.
Learn more at KendaTire.com
🖊📷 Dave Malwitz | follow
ENVE's new $1,400 AR40 wheels sold out fast and we explore why.