Maxxis reveals new gravel-specific tyre compound – and I think it raises an already very high bar

Gravel racing has been full of tyre talk of late, from the shift towards larger volumes to racers opting to use low-rolling-resistance tyres from mountain biking.

The issue is that, bar a few exceptions, gravel tyre tech has tried to span the wide variety of gravel riding.

That spectrum covers everything from fast, flat-out shorter-distance gravel racing to multi-day epics, bikepacking and everything in between.

That has meant tyre compounds have tended towards the hard-wearing rather than race-developed options.

Well, it looks as if Maxxis has become the first MTB tyre brand to take gravel tyre tech seriously, introducing its new gravel-specific HYPR-X compound.

Where the mountains meet the road

The new HYPR-X compound blends the road-racing HYPR compound from the High Road SL tyre with the race-winning MaxxSpeed mountain bike compound.

The new HYPR-X compound is being rolled out on Maxxis’ four gravel models – the Receptor, Reaver, Rambler and Ravager.

Higher grip, lower rolling resistance

Maxxis claims the new compound brings with it a 19 per cent improvement in cornering traction and 25 per cent less rolling resistance in lab testing.

The compound is wrapped around Maxxis' 120 TPI casing, updated from the previous generation with a stronger nylon yarn. Maxxis claims this will vastly increase tread durability.

The sidewalls are protected from cuts by the Maxxis EXO casing.

Every tyre in the new range is tubeless-ready.

Maxxis Rambler HYPR-X 45mm initial ride impressions

We’ve got a set of the new HYPR-X compound Ramblers and I've tested them side-by-side with the current Dual-compound Ramblers over a few brief rides. We'll follow up with a full test of the new Ramblers soon.

My first impressions are that the new compound has much more elasticity than its predecessor.

The shoulder tread deforms more easily in the corners and the grip feels much more assured. Meanwhile, its roll on the road feels impressively quick for a treaded tyre.

Given the previous Rambler was one of the best gravel tyres, this new compound looks to be improving on that very high standard.

The new HYPR-X brings a small increase in weight to 566.3g (45mm), compared to 560.3g (45mm) on the previous Dual-compound tyre.

Maxxis Rambler HYPR-X specifications

The Reaver and the Rambler with HYPR-X and new casing will be available first in 700x45c, with other sizes arriving over the next three months.

All sizes of the Ravager and the Receptor are scheduled to roll out in the third quarter of 2025.

Maxxis has confirmed pricing will be the same as its current gravel tyres.