Race-Winning Speed Meets Trail-Ready Control
MONTEREY, Calif. — April 2026 — Kenda Tires today announced the launch of the all-new K-SERIES DAGGER XC Tire in the North American market. Designed for modern cross-country racing and aggressive marathon riding, the DAGGER is a high-performance XC and light-trail tire delivering exceptional speed, control, and durability across a wide range of terrain.
Succeeding the Booster, the DAGGER is positioned between the ultra-fast Rush and the traction-focused down-country Karma 2, balancing efficiency and grip for riders who demand race-day speed without sacrificing confidence when conditions turn technical.
Proven at the Highest Level
The DAGGER’s performance pedigree is established with race-winning results at the Hero Marathon World Cup, carrying KENDA’s Torpado Team to victory and posting rolling resistance values up to 30% lower than leading competitors in key XC conditions.
Engineered for Speed and Control
The DAGGER features a refined tread design combining low-profile center knobs to reduce rolling resistance with aggressive, supportive cornering knobs for confident grip at speed. Optimized knob spacing improves mud clearance and handling consistency, creating a tire that feels fast on hardpack, secure in loose-over-hard conditions, and predictable on wet or technical terrain.
Advanced Single-Compound Performance
A newly developed single compound delivers low rolling resistance, high grip, and predictable rebound—optimized into one formulation to maximize efficiency and control.
Two Casings. One Platform.
The DAGGER is offered in two purpose-built casing options:
- XC Casing (120 TPI): Lightweight and supple for maximum speed and race-day efficiency
- Trail Casing (60 TPI): More robust construction for added durability and confidence within the XC category
Sizes & Availability
The K SERIES DAGGER launches in 29×2.40, available in both XC and Trail casings. Additional sizes, including 29×2.60 and 27.5×2.40, will be available later in 2026.
A New Standard in XC Versatility The K SERIES DAGGER XC sets a new benchmark for modern cross-country tires, delivering elite-level speed, control, and confidence across varied terrain.