MTB Tire Guide

Kenda Double Black vs Maxxis Assegai

Short answer: Rolling resistance: Kenda Double Black leads with 30.8 W, Maxxis Assegai trails by 24.8 W.

Configure your build

Width, casing, compound and pressure – every value on this page follows your pick.

Kenda Double Black

Tire width
Wheel size
27.5" wheel
29" wheel
Casing
Compound
Pressure (context)
Measured point

Maxxis Assegai

Tire width
Wheel size
27.5" wheel
29" wheel
Casing
Compound
Pressure (context)
Measured point
Measured value available
How we calculate

Width, casing and compound decide how a tire really rides. We only show what was actually measured – and label estimates honestly.

Kenda Double Black: Reference: test pressure 24.7 psi (1.70 bar).

Maxxis Assegai: Reference: documented test pressure of the source (24.7 psi (1.70 bar)).

More pressure: less rolling resistance, less grip, less comfort. Tougher casing: more protection, more weight. Softer compound: more grip, more rolling resistance.

Modelled values are assumptions based on the stated measurement points – not a lab test.

Size, weight and casing

Kenda Double BlackMaxxis Assegai
Width2.4" (61 mm)2.5" (63 mm)
Wheel sizes27.5" · 29"27.5" · 29"
Weight1,250 g (29x2.4 AGC)1,290 g (29x2.5 WT DD)
CasingAGC (Advanced Gravity Casing) · 1-plyDoubleDown · 2-ply
CasingTrail · Enduro · DownhillTrail · Enduro · Downhill
TPI60120
Tread type–Aggressive
Tubeless readyyesyes
E-MTB approvalyes (E-25)yes
Price from€85€74
Model year20242019

Rubber compounds

Hardness scale 1 = hard and fast to 5 = very soft and grippy (our own classification).

Kenda Double Black

Grip class: Balanced

Maxxis Assegai

Grip class: Balanced · Max Grip

Both tires sit in the same grip class – the watt comparison is fair.

Maxxis Assegai offers the softer compound range – more grip, usually at the cost of wear.

Lab data per version

Kenda Double BlackMaxxis Assegai
Rolling resistance (W)30.8 W
55.6 W
Impact protection (%)53.0 %
51.8 %
Puncture resistance (N)–462.7 N
Weighed weight (g)1,036.0 g
1,401.0 g

These two tires have no measured values from the same test series. A direct comparison of numbers would not be sound.

Kenda Double Black

All tested versions

Test series: ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine – Labortest 64 Reifen

Measured values per compound and casing from the same laboratory test. Empty cells mean no reliable value was published.

Double Black Dual Layer Compound Enduro29 x 2.4041.6 W
13.42 %
1258 g
82.9 €
Double Black Triple Compound All Mountain29 x 2.4030.8 W
53.03 %
1036 g
82.99 €

Rolling resistance

lower is better

  • Double Black Triple Compound All Mountain30.8 W
  • Double Black Dual Layer Compound Enduro41.6 W

Impact protection

higher is better

  • Double Black Triple Compound All Mountain53.03 %
  • Double Black Dual Layer Compound Enduro13.42 %

Maxxis Assegai

All tested versions

Test series: ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine – Labortest 64 Reifen

Measured values per compound and casing from the same laboratory test. Empty cells mean no reliable value was published.

Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DH Casing29 x 2.50 WT53.6 W
79.9 %
1440 g
84.9 €
Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DoubleDown29 x 2.50 WT55.6 W
51.79 %
1401 g
84.9 €
Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ Protection29 x 2.50 WT50.2 W
23.98 %
1211 g
79.9 €
Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO Protection29 x 2.50 WT29.7 W
12.35 %
1109 g
74.9 €

Rolling resistance

lower is better

  • Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO Protection29.7 W
  • Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ Protection50.2 W
  • Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DH Casing53.6 W
  • Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DoubleDown55.6 W

Impact protection

higher is better

  • Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO Protection12.35 %
  • Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ Protection23.98 %
  • Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DH Casing79.9 %
  • Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DoubleDown51.79 %

Compounds & versions as curves

Up to three versions at once: the curve is modelled rolling resistance across pressure, the dot is the real lab measurement. Click the legend to show or hide a version.

1835.953.971.989.8121927344249Pressure (psi)W
  • 29.7 W at 25 psi (1.72 bar) · Reference
    Puncture
    12.35 %
    Weight
    1109 g
  • 30.5 W at 25 psi (1.72 bar) · +0.8 W
    Puncture
    53.03 %
    Weight
    1036 g
  • 37.0 W at 25 psi (1.72 bar) · +7.3 W
    Puncture
    –
    Weight
    1174 g
  • 41.6 W
    Puncture
    13.42 %
    Weight
    1258 g
  • 50.2 W
    Puncture
    23.98 %
    Weight
    1211 g
  • 53.6 W
    Puncture
    79.9 %
    Weight
    1440 g
  • 55.6 W
    Puncture
    51.79 %
    Weight
    1401 g

Without a lab test pressure we anchor the measured watt value at the recommended pressure. The curve shape is a physics model, not a measurement. Labs do not measure grip across pressure – we do not invent that curve. Wet grip is a lab value per tire model, not per version.

Three curves at most – hide one first.

Variants head to head

Every measured variant of the selected tires – the same model in another compound, width or casing sits right next to it. Empty fields mean no reliable measurement.

Kenda Double BlackDouble Black Dual Layer Compound Enduro41.6 W
13.42 %
1258 g
Kenda Double BlackDouble Black Pro Dualcompound AEC · BIKE-Labor37.3 W
–1174 g
Kenda Double BlackDouble Black Triple Compound All Mountain30.8 W
53.03 %
1036 g
Maxxis AssegaiAssegai 3C MaxxGrip DH Casing53.6 W
79.9 %
1440 g
Maxxis AssegaiAssegai 3C MaxxGrip DoubleDown55.6 W
51.79 %
1401 g
Maxxis AssegaiAssegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ Protection50.2 W
23.98 %
1211 g
Maxxis AssegaiAssegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO Protection29.7 W
12.35 %
1109 g

Charts

Rolling resistance (fewer watts is better)

Impact protection (higher is better)

Editorial rating (higher is better)

At least one tire is missing too many editorial scores for a radar profile. We never draw missing values as zero.

TestedYour build – derived

Recommendation by use

  • Fast laps and long climbs: Kenda Double Black rolls easier at 30.8 W.
  • Bike park, rocks and e-MTB: Kenda Double Black protects better with 53% impact protection.

Tested

  • Rolling resistance: Kenda Double Black leads with 30.8 W, Maxxis Assegai trails by 24.8 W.
  • Impact protection: Kenda Double Black leads with 53 %, Maxxis Assegai trails by 1.2 %.
  • Weighed weight: Kenda Double Black leads with 1,036 g, Maxxis Assegai trails by 365 g.

Tests and sources

Kenda Double Black

  • The Kenda Double Black was tested in its Pro AEC version as an enduro tire for both front and rear use. It impresses with good rolling characteristics combined with strong puncture protection. This positions it as a solid, versatile option in the enduro segment.

    BIKE Magazin

Maxxis Assegai

  • ENDURO's lab test measures 64 MTB tires under standardised conditions (20 km/h, 1.5 bar, 50 kg wheel load) for rolling resistance, pinch-flat protection and puncture resistance. Key takeaway: weight and pinch-flat protection are closely linked, while rolling resistance depends mainly on the rubber compound. Summarised in our own words; details and measured values at the original.

    ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine – Labortest
  • Co-developed by Greg Minnaar, the Maxxis Assegai shows a balanced and confident ride feel with long-lasting grip in this test. When breaking away, it behaves noticeably softer and more controlled than, for example, the High Roller II.

    BIKE Magazin

More head-to-heads