Maxxis is one of the leading manufacturers of mountain bike tyres of all disciplines. Known primarily for its downhill and enduro tyres, Maxxis also offers top-level cross-country tyres.
The brand has a large range of mountain bike tyres employing varying technologies, so it can be difficult to know what the best Maxxis tyre is for your type of riding.
Maxxis also produces a wide range of road bike tyres, gravel tyres and options for commuting.
In this guide, we focus on Maxxis’ range of mountain bike tyres, including an overview of its tyre technologies, compounds and casings.
Maxxis mountain bike tyre technologies explained
Maxxis casing constructions explained
Maxxis offers a variety of MTB tyre casings to suit different types of riding. Tyre casings impact how a tyre feels and the level of protection it provides.
All else being equal, a thinner casing is usually more supple than a thicker casing, but offers less protection on gnarly terrain.
Maxxis uses a range of different options across its tyre range, from lightweight casings to heavy-duty casings for gravity riding:
- Single-ply casing features one layer of nylon wrapped from bead to bead. This conforms well to terrain, giving a supple ride feel, and is lighter than Maxxis’ other casings.
- Dual-ply casing features two layers of nylon, adding additional protection and sidewall stiffness for enduro and downhill riding.
- Wide Trail (WT) construction optimises the tyre tread for 30 to 35mm-wide rims, avoiding the square profile that tyres with narrower designs face on modern wide rims.
- Tubeless Ready (TR) features sealant-compatible rubber and uses dual-ply 60 TPI (threads per inch). There is a butyl insert for support and rim protection, offering increased grip and reliability. A tubeless-ready bead locks the rim and the foldable bead provides additional weight savings.
Maxxis puncture technologies explained
Even the best mountain bike tyres can be punctured by thorns, lacerations and snake bites. Maxxis offers four types of puncture protection to deal with these problems:
- Silkworm Protection is a puncture- and tear-resistant material incorporated into the tyre's casing under the tread.
- EXO Protection is a cut- and abrasion-resistant material added to a tyre’s sidewall. This densely woven fabric is lightweight and flexible in order to retain tyre performance. EXO Protection is for exceptionally rocky trails, where the chance of tearing the sidewall is high.
- EXO+ combines Silkshield and EXO protection. The Silkshield layer runs from bead to bead, with a layer of EXO along the sidewalls.
- Double Down (DD) is a dual-ply casing for enduro and downhill racing. Two 120 TPI casing layers are reinforced on the sidewall with a butyl insert to avoid gashes and pinch flats.
Maxxis tyre compounds explained
Rubber compounds can have a big impact on the grip, longevity and handling of a tyre. Maxxis uses different combinations of rubber compounds for different ride characteristics:
- Single Compound tyres feature one compound throughout the tread for optimised longevity and performance.
- Dual Compound tyres feature two types of rubber and offer lower rolling resistance and increased cornering grip.
- Triple Compound (3C) tyres have three types of rubber arranged for the ultimate traction at the end of racing.
- MaxxSpeed tyres use a silica-infused compound, inspired by technology from premium road tyres, for ultimate rolling speed.
Maxxis cross-country tyres
Maxxis Ardent Race
- Dual or 3C MaxxSpeed
- EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.20, 2.35, 2.60in WT
- Recommended as front or rear tyre
The Ardent Race is designed for technical cross-country courses. Borrowing the tread pattern from the full-fat Ardent trail tyre, a smaller tread height is used to achieve faster rolling speeds.
Maxxis Aspen
- Dual compound
- EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.10, 2.25, 2.40in
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The Aspen is a lightweight cross-country racing tyre designed with low rolling resistance and straight-line grip in mind. It’s a go-to choice for many racers, because the large shoulder knobs find traction in a variety of conditions, while the rounded-off crown helps maintain speed.
Maxxis Aspen ST
- Single compound
- EXO or EXO Team Spec casing
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 29in
- Width: 2.25, 2.40in
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The Aspen ST features a super-low profile tread pattern that has been the reserve of sponsored riders for the past five years.
Its low rolling resistance is said to give top-of-the-range speed, while raised side lugs ensure it remains grippy in dry, dusty conditions.
Maxxis Crossmark II
- Dual compound
- EXO protection available
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.10, 2.25in
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The Crossmark II is a fast-rolling tyre designed for maximum straight-line speed. Its low rolling resistance and sharp cornering bite ensure the tyre excels in dry conditions, and the reinforced sidewall shrugs off rocks and knocks well.
Maxxis Forekaster
- Dual or 3C compound
- EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.25, 2.35, 2.60in WT
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The Forekaster is a wet-weather tyre for XC racing and light trail riding. Working well as a front tyre in sloppy conditions, it’s more aggressive than other cross-country tyres and lends itself well to downcountry riding.
Maxxis Severe
- MaxxSpeed rubber compound
- EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.25in
- Recommended as front or rear tyre
The Maxxis Severe is the latest addition to the Maxxis cross-country line-up and is designed to tackle wet and muddy XC racecourses. The narrow 2.25in profile and spiky tread help it to cut through soft ground and clear mud quickly. It features the new, silica-infused MaxxSpeed compound for ultimate rolling speed.
Maxxis Ikon
- Dual or 3C Maxx compound
- Standard or EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.20, 2.35, 2.60in WT
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The Ikon is a lightweight tyre designed for speed and reliability, utilising the 3C Maxx compound. A tightly packed tread pattern with squared-off shoulder knobs makes the tyre fast-rolling but grippy in dry conditions.
Maxxis Pace
- Single or dual compound
- Silkworm or EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.10in
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The Pace is one of Maxxis’ fastest cross-country tyres. The low-profile tread and narrow width offer little rolling resistance, but do limit the tyre on wet, gnarlier terrain.
Maxxis Rekon Race
- Single or dual compound
- EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.00, 2.25, 2.35, 2.40in WT
- Recommended as a rear tyre
The Rekon Race features a similar tread pattern to the standard Rekon. It has a shallower tread, making the tyre a good choice for dry conditions, where grip can be substituted for straight-line speed.
Maxxis trail and enduro tyres
Maxxis Aggressor
- Dual compound
- EXO or DD protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.30in
- Recommended as a rear tyre
The Aggressor is a good all-rounder, offering great cornering ability and puncture resistance in dry, rocky terrain as well as ample grip in looser conditions. The tyre struggles with wet-weather grip, and the aggressive tread pattern affects rolling speed.
Maxxis Ardent
- Single or dual compound
- Standard or EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.25, 2.40in
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The Ardent is lightweight trail tyre that offers bite in the corners, with high rolling speeds. It's a great choice if you're looking for a fast and tough tyre for mixed conditions, perfect for downcountry riding.
Maxxis High Roller II
- Single or 3C compound
- EXO or DD protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.30, 2.40in WT
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The High Roller II offers high levels of grip even on the loosest of trails, with predictable slip-to-grip cornering characteristics. This grip comes at the cost of fast wear, though the tyre deals well with rocky terrain. Its high duro crown makes the High Roller II fast in a straight line, considering its heft.
Maxxis Tomahawk
- Dual or 3C compound
- EXO or DD protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.30in
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The Tomahawk features aggressive side knobs that dig deep into the terrain to find grip in all conditions. A rounded-off crown offers good rolling performance, making this tyre a good all-rounder.
Maxxis downhill tyres
Maxxis Assegai
- Dual or 3C compound
- EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.50in WT
- Recommended as a front tyre
The Assegai is one of the grippiest, most controlled front tyres on the market. Maxxis describes this as a downhill tyre, but it's equally at home on enduro trails if you’re pushing hard.
Maxxis Dissector
- Dual or 3C compound
- EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.40in WT
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The Dissector is designed for high-speed downhill courses, but it’s also suited to general fair-weather cycling. This zippy tyre can be pushed hard downhill and features slip-to-grip cornering characteristics that may be off-putting to some on wet trails.
Maxxis Minion DHF
- Dual or 3C compound
- EXO or DD protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.30, 2.50in WT
- Recommended as a front tyre
The Minion DHF provides grip in the sloppiest conditions. Its predictability on various terrain has seen it remain virtually unchanged for over a decade.
Maxxis Minion DHR II
- Dual or 3C compound
- EXO or DD protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.30, 2.40WT, 2.50in
- Recommended as a rear tyre
The Minion DHR II is the Yin to the Minion DHF’s Yang, providing excellent braking and cornering traction, as well as fast rolling speeds. It's widely considered one of the best rear tyres on the market, offering excellent all-around traction.
Maxxis Shorty
- Dual or 3C compound
- EXO or DD protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.30, 2.40, 2.50in WT
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
The Shorty performs well on wet, muddy trails, thanks to its mid-spike tread design. The tyre continues to roll well even when the trails dry up, and offers high levels of comfort.
Maxxis Wetscream
- Dual or 3C compound
- DD protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.50in
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
This spike tyre will find you grip on off-camber pistes where other tyres would have you in a pile at the bottom. Drag is the penalty for this, making the Wetscream a niche option for the muddiest of conditions.
Maxxis Minion SS
- Dual compound
- Standard or EXO or Silkworm protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5, 29in
- Width: 2.30, 2.50in WT
- Recommended as a rear tyre
The Minion SS offers high rolling speed thanks to its semi-slick crown, while the large side knobs offer high levels of grip in dry conditions. Braking ability does suffer due to the shallow tread pattern in wet conditions.
Maxxis fat tyres
Maxxis Chronicle
- Dual compound
- Standard or EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 27.5in
- Width: 3.00in
- Recommended as a front or rear tyre
Designed for trail rides and bikepacking expeditions, the Chronicle is a versatile plus tyre with a tightly packed tread pattern.
Maxxis Minion FBF
- Dual compound
- Standard or EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5in
- Width: 3.80, 4.00, 4.80in
- Recommended as a front tyre
The Minion FBF offers high levels of cornering ability and low rolling resistance. It's recommended only as a front tyre.
Maxxis Minion FBR
- Dual compound
- Standard or EXO protection
- Tubeless-ready
- Wheel diameter: 26, 27.5in
- Width: 3.80, 4.00, 4.80in
- Recommended as a rear tyre
The Minion FBR features a rear-specific tread pattern designed to minimise rolling resistance and maximise traction in all conditions. It's designed to be paired with a Minion FBF on the front.
