Navigating the world of Maxxis tyres can be a bit overwhelming with its plethora of technologies and specialized terms. Let's dive into the key components and demystify the technology behind these renowned tyres.
The Anatomy of a Tyre
A tyre comprises four main elements:
1. The Bead:
- Wire Bead: This is the cheapest and heaviest, but also the most robust. Technically not a Tubeless Ready bead, because the wire inside is quite stiff they are actually very easy to make tubeless. They also do not fold.
- Kevlar Folding: Lightweight, foldable, but not recommended for tubeless.
- TR Kevlar Folding: TR stands for Tubeless Ready. These create a seal against the rim when inflated with the help of liquid tubeless tyre sealant required ensure they remain tubeless.
2. Casing:
- eXCeption Series:Designed for Cross Country racers, featuring a single, super-light 120 TPI layer.
- Single Ply: This is the basic casing, with one 60 TPI layer.
- EXO: Popular for cross country, trail, and light-duty all-mountain riders, offering a balance of durability and flexibility.
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EXO +: EXO+ is Maxxis medium-duty puncture protection option suitable for all-around trail riding and lightweight e-bikes. EXO+ underwent a rolling update in late 2021 to phase out the older layup made up of a 120tpi casing with Silkshield and EXO with a more robust design. The previous design was closer to EXO in terms of protection and the newer, more robust design better positions EXO+ in between EXO and Double Down.
The 2022+ models feature a 60 TPI casing with an EXO puncture protection layer in the sidewalls and a small butyl insert around the bead. The tougher casing and EXO material ward off damage from rocks and roots, while the butyl insert protects the tire from pinch flats and helps prevent rim damage. - Double Down (DD): Specifically for enduro and heavy-duty all-mountain riders, featuring 2 x 120 TPI layers for strength and resistance.
- Dual-Ply: Also known as Downhill casing, this is 2 x 60TPI layers. It also has a Butyl insert stretching from the bead up the sidewall. This makes a huge difference in pinch flat protection, while also supporting the sidewall of the tyre.
- Silkworm: While this isn't a casing type in its own right, it can be added into a casing. Silkworm is an additional layer that is only located under the tread of the tyre. It is there to stop spikes, thorns or sharp rocks from penetrating through the tread.
3. Tread Compound:
- Single Compound: Uniform compound throughout for maximum tread life.
- Dual Compound: Soft side knobs for cornering grip, harder center knobs for wear resistance.
- Triple Compound (3C): Varying compounds for base, side knobs, and center tread for ultimate performance.
From hardest to softest tread compound, Maxxis produces:
- Single Compound: 70a Durometer is the firmest compound for maximum tread life and super low rolling resistance.
- eXCeption: A 62a Rubber compound perfect for cross-country race bikes.
- MaxxPro: A 60a rubber predominately used as a long life gravity bike tyre.
- Dual Compound: 51a/60a. A 51a rubber compound on the side knobs with a 60a rubber on the centre knobs.
- 3C Maxx Speed: 72a/60a/62a. These feature 72a rubber at the base of the knobs with 60a on the side knobs and 62a on the centre tread. This offers the lowest rolling resistance for cross-country bikes.
- 3C Maxx Terra: 70a/42a/50a. 70a as the base for all the knobs, with 42a rubber on the tops of the side knobs and 50a rubber on the tops of the centre knobs. Designed for trail and all-mountain.
- 3C Maxx Grip: 70a/40a/42a. 70a rubber makes up the base of all the knobs with 40a rubber on the side knobs and 42a rubber on the centre tread. The ultimate grip on gravity-focused bikes.
- Super Tacky: 42a rubber all over largely found on Downhill and gravity focused bikes. This is a very soft, slow rebounding rubber. While it doesn't provide the precise feel of the 3C Maxx Grip, it is still a very grippy tyre.
4. Tread Pattern:
- Maxxis offers a variety of tread patterns tailored to different terrains and riding styles.
- Models designated as Wide Trail (WT) are optimized for modern wider rims.
Decoding Tread Compounds:
Maxxis employs single, dual, and triple compounds:
- 3C Maxx Speed: Lowest rolling resistance for cross-country bikes.
- 3C Maxx Terra: Designed for trail and all-mountain riding.
- 3C Maxx Grip: Ultimate grip for gravity-focused bikes.
- Super Tacky: Very soft, slow-rebounding rubber for downhill and gravity-focused bikes.
Choosing the Right Tread Pattern:
Maxxis provides a diverse range of tread patterns to suit various preferences. Recently, they've optimized many designs for modern rims with wider internal widths, known as Wide Trail or WT.
Traditional tyres are designed around older, narrower rims and can create an overly square profile when mounted to wider rims, leading to less than optimal performance. WT tyres are optimised for a 35mm inner rim width but are proven to work over a range from 30-35mm inner rim widths, depending on the riders preference.
Maxxis Wide Trail XC tyres are optimised for use with 30mm internal width rims, but they will perform well on rims as narrow as 25mm. Maxxis does not recommend rims wider than 30mm or narrower than 25mm.
In summary, Maxxis tyres offer a spectrum of choices to cater to the needs of cyclists across different disciplines. Understanding the intricacies of bead types, casing options, tread compounds, and patterns empowers riders to make informed decisions for an optimized and enjoyable riding experience.
Explore the Maxxis world, where cutting-edge technology meets the open trail.
