MTB Tire Guide

Kenda Pinner vs Maxxis Shorty

Short answer: Rolling resistance: Kenda Pinner leads with 39.8 W, Maxxis Shorty trails by 17.2 W.

Configure your build

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

Kenda Pinner

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

Maxxis Shorty

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

Maxxis Shorty: 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 PinnerMaxxis Shorty
Width2.4" (61 mm)2.4" (61 mm)
Wheel sizes27.5" · 29"27.5" · 29"
Weight1,240 g (29x2.4 AGC)1,290 g (29x2.4 DH Casing)
CasingAGC (Advanced Gravity Casing) · 1-plyDH Casing · 2-ply
CasingTrailTrail · Enduro · Downhill
TPI6060
Tread type––
Tubeless readyyesyes
E-MTB approvalyes (E-25)yes (E-25)
Price from€75€85
Model year20202021

Rubber compounds

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

Kenda Pinner

Grip class: Balanced

Maxxis Shorty

Grip class: Max Grip

Different grip classes: the softer tire must roll slower. Read the watts with that in mind.

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

Lab data per version

Kenda PinnerMaxxis Shorty
Rolling resistance (W)39.8 W
57.0 W
Impact protection (%)56.6 %
44.7 %
Weighed weight (g)1,202.0 g
1,256.0 g

Kenda Pinner

Maxxis Shorty

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.

11.632.954.175.496.7121927344249Pressure (psi)W
  • 39.8 W at 38 psi (2.62 bar) · Reference
    Puncture
    56.56 %
    Weight
    1202 g
  • 23.9 W at 38 psi (2.62 bar) · -15.9 W
    Puncture
    44.7 %
    Weight
    1256 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.

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 PinnerPinner Dual Layer Compound Enduro39.8 W
56.56 %
1202 g
Maxxis ShortyShorty 3C MaxxGrip DoubleDown57 W
44.7 %
1256 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 Pinner rolls easier at 39.8 W.
  • Bike park, rocks and e-MTB: Kenda Pinner protects better with 57% impact protection.

Tested

  • Rolling resistance: Kenda Pinner leads with 39.8 W, Maxxis Shorty trails by 17.2 W.
  • Impact protection: Kenda Pinner leads with 56.6 %, Maxxis Shorty trails by 11.9 %.
  • Weighed weight: Kenda Pinner leads with 1,202 g, Maxxis Shorty trails by 54 g.

Tests and sources

Kenda Pinner

  • The Kenda Pinner Pro ATC, Aaron Gwin's signature tire, was extensively ridden on various cornering trails. The large knobs deliver plenty of grip on firm, dry ground, while weight stays reasonable thanks to the light ATC compound. The tire also proves practical for longer tours.

    BIKE Magazin
  • The Kenda Pinner Pro, co-developed with Aaron Gwin, was initially tested in its downhill version. The tire shows very predictable handling with strong grip on hard, dry ground. It specifically targets riders who race on fast, grippy tracks.

    MTB-News.de

More head-to-heads