Inside KENDA: The Mountain Bike Tire Giant You've Been Overlooking

Jennifer Miller · 2026-09-04

KENDA might not be the first name you think of when it comes to mountain bike tires. But here's the thing - this Taiwanese company is actually one of the biggest tire manufacturers on the planet. And yeah, that includes mountain bike rubber. They even teamed up with MTB legend John Tomac to create the iconic Nevegal. So I figured it was time to take a look behind the curtain. From the outside, the building doesn't scream "factory." It's calm, clean, and flooded with light. But step inside, and you're in the headquarters of KENDA Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. We're talking about a place that produces high-quality tires for everything from cars to commercial vehicles to every bicycle you can imagine. They use rubber, carbon black, chemicals, and about 200 other raw materials. We're in Yuanlin, Taiwan, just south of Taichung - right next door to industry giants like MERIDA and MAXXIS. ### The Factory Floor Experience The welcome was genuinely warm from the minute we arrived. Four staff members guided us through one of Taiwan's largest tire factories, answering every question with impressive detail. And trust me, we had plenty. The moment we stepped onto the factory floor, everything changed. That distinct new-tire scent hit us first - a mix of woody, earthy natural compounds and sharp, smoky industrial notes. But more than that, there was this tangible sense of purpose everywhere. It wasn't frantic or chaotic. Just calm, focused, and perfectly coordinated. You could tell every process had been refined over decades, every step meticulously optimized. With more than 60 years in the game, that's hardly surprising. Here's what really stood out: - The entire KENDA tire range is produced here, including their new Double Black gravity tire - Long before a tire hits its first trail, the rubber compound moves through as continuous sheets - The compound alone dictates how the tread grips, dampens vibration, and wears over time ### Where Humans Still Matter Despite all the automation and professional setups, people remain at the heart of production. Skilled workers handle crucial manufacturing steps by hand, treating raw materials and individual components with remarkable care. Watching them work, you could almost forget you were in a tire factory. Almost. Of course, there are areas where it gets loud, hot, and humid. Tires have to be cured, after all. It's only under intense heat, high pressure, and precisely controlled curing times that individual rubber components transform into finished tires inside molds designed for specific tread patterns. This vulcanization process is arguably the most critical stage in the entire operation. ### Who Is KENDA Really? KENDA started back in 1962 making bicycle inner tubes and tires. They've expanded steadily since then. Today, they produce tires for bicycles, cars, agricultural machinery, industrial equipment, vans, and light trucks. That growth has made them Taiwan's second-largest tire manufacturer, with nearly 12,000 employees across the group. Globally, they rank as the world's 28th largest tire manufacturer. For comparison, Taiwan's largest tire maker is Cheng Shin Rubber - known worldwide through their MAXXIS brand - with over 30,000 employees globally. Even so, KENDA remains a major industry player, something reflected in their consistently strong financial performance. So next time you're choosing tires for your mountain bike, maybe give KENDA a second thought. They're not just another tire company - they're a manufacturing powerhouse with deep roots and serious expertise. And honestly, seeing their operation firsthand makes you appreciate just how much goes into every tire that rolls down a trail.