Kenda Karma 2 Pro 2.4 SCT
A high-traction wet and gnarly terrain XC tire that delivers unmatched confidence when the trail turns slick, rough, and technical.
Why I Like It
The Kenda Karma 2 Pro 2.4 SCT isn’t your everyday XC race tire. It’s a purpose-built traction machine for days when the trail is slick, the rocks behave like icebergs and the roots like Mario Kart bananas. On that kind of day, especially at race pace, this is the tire to reach for.
As soon as I rolled out of the driveway I picked up an unmistakable rumble from the large knobs that are responsible for the grip these tires deliver. Not subtle grip. Not “a bit better” grip. Real rip the knobs off these suckers grip. In wet tech and loose-over-hard I could fully commit and ride with the same confidence I get from a true trail tire. Cornering felt locked in, descending was planted, and braking traction in wet rock gardens was far better than any of my typical XC tires.
Rolling speed, though? This feels like the slowest rolling XC tire in my quiver — and that’s totally fine, because this tire isn’t for speed on hardpack. It’s for the kind of conditions where rolling resistance takes a back seat to traction.
Quick Specs
- 2.4” width
- 120 TPI casing with SCT protection
- Aggressive XC tread with widely spaced knobs
- Approx 776 grams
- Wet-grip-oriented rubber and knob layout
In My Setup
- I ran the Karma 2 Pro 2.4 front and rear with
Vittoria Air-Liner Light inserts ↗️ - Pressures: 16 PSI front / 18 PSI rear
- Trails: Austin’s Barton Creek Greenbelt and the Sweet 16 / Pump House loop — a mix of wet rock gardens, slick clay patches, loose chunder, and short stretches of hero dirt.
One notable thing: I had more hard rim strikes than usual. After thinking about it, I realized the increased traction had me riding more aggressively and taking straighter, rougher lines than I normally would. The tire gave so much grip that I wasn’t as careful with line choice. Going forward I’ll run about +1 PSI to account for this.
Sidewalls survived without any noticeable damage. A couple of side knobs lost small chunks, but nothing that affects performance. For a tire with this much traction, the SCT casing feels strong and confidence-inspiring.
Climbing, Cornering, and Braking
- Climbing: Outstanding on wet tech. There’s a rocky, steep creek-bed climb in the Greenbelt that I’m always proud of clearing. With the Karma 2 it was the easiest it’s ever felt, and my legs weren’t even feeling particularly up to the challenge at that point.
- Cornering: Better than any XC tire I run. Commit, lean, trust it — the knobs bite and hold.
- Braking: Strong and predictable on wet limestone slab, loose rock, and damp soil. I could brake hard, late and still change direction without skating around.
Who It’s For
This tire is for XC racers and riders facing super slippery technical terrain where traditional race tires become sketchy and pack up with mud. If conditions are wet, rough, rocky, rooty, or unpredictable — and you want maximum control — the Karma 2 shines.
It’s also a strong front-only option for riders who want more confidence on wet or extremely loose descents. Pairing a Karma 2 up front with a 
Not sure if the Karma 2 Pro is the right tire?
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- Even though I’m confident it’s the fastest tire on the right day, this feels like the slowest rolling XC tire I’ve tested — not meant for dry hardpack days.
- Traction is incredible in wet rock, wet roots, and loose tech.
- Confidence can make you take rougher lines than you realize. Consider increasing PSI slightly.
- Great for days when other riders are playing slip n’ slide with their bikes.
- Side knobs showed minor, normal wear after one ride. SCT casing protection is excellent.
Comparisons
| Tire | Weight (g) | Strengths | Casing |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kenda Karma 2 Pro 2.4 ↗️ | ~776 | Wet/loose/mixed terrain traction, rock/root grip, technical confidence | SCT |
| Maxxis Forekaster 2.4 ↗️ | ~905 | Wet/mixed terrain traction, loose-over-hard bite | EXO |
| Specialized Ground Control 2.35 ↗️ | ~870 | Mixed terrain grip, predictable cornering | Grid T7 |
| Schwalbe Wicked Will 2.4 ↗️ | ~820 | Traction-focused XC/trail hybrid | Super Ground |
These are all “high-traction XC/Downcountry” tires, best suited for wet, rough, or unpredictable conditions.
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