Maxxis Tires Buying Guide
How to choose a Maxxis tire, what to look for, and finding the right tire for you.
Why Choose Maxxis Bike Tires?
Maxxis tires has been a trusted go-to tire for cyclists and professional riders because of its durability, rubber compounds, and unbeatable tread patterns. Maxxis tires has created an extensive line of bike tires that will fit the specific need you’re looking for. Ensuring the most ideal tread pattern, rubber compound, and casing option for any trail or condition imaginable.
How to choose the right size bike tire
Pairing your tire width with the appropriate rim width allows for proper function and performance of your set up. Here is a guide for recommended minimum and maximum widths for tire sizes from Maxxis.
| Intended Use | Tire Width | Inner Rim Width | ||
| XC Racing |
|
| ||
| Light Trail |
| 25-30mm | ||
| All-Mountain/Enduro | 2.3" - 2.5" tire 2.6" tire | 28-35mm 35-40mm | ||
| Plus | 2.8" - 3.0" tire | 40-45mm | ||
| Fat | 3.8" - 4.0" tire 4.8" tire | 70-80mm 90-100mm |
Popular Maxxis Tire Pairings
It is common for mountain bike riders to run a different front and rear tire set up. The typical set up will have a more aggressive tread on the front tire for traction and control, while running a faster rolling tread on the back tire. This all comes down to personal preference, but we have provided some common pairings that we ride and recommend.
Maxxis Cross Country
Front: Rekon
Rear: Rekon Race
This duo is a great option for a cross country race setup. The Maxxis Rekon on the front is a light and fast tire recommended to use on hard packed to loose conditions. Running the Rekon on the front will keep things fast while still maintaining control on cross country trails. The Rekon Race in the rear is a low profile tread, semi-slick race tire that will keep things moving fast, ideal for dry cross country trails.
Maxxis Trail/Cross Country
Front: Dissector
Rear: Rekon
This is a versatile light trail set up giving you plenty of cornering control while minimizing drag. The Dissector tire on the front, designed by Aussie DH racer Troy Brosnan, is ideal on dry to loose trail conditions. The Rekon tire for the rear will feel fast in technical terrain and is recommended for hard parcked to loose conditions. This set up is great for either cross country or light trail riding.
Maxxis Trail/Enduro
Front: Minion DHF
Rear: Minion DHR
The DHF and DHR were truly made for each other. The minion has a tread design that balances rolling speed with braking and cornering traction making it one of the most well known mountain bike tires available. The Minion DHR is widened to provide more support and smooth transitions. The minion set up is ideal for all trail conditions from trail to downhill riding.
Front: Minion DHF
Rear: Dissector
The Maxxis Minion DHF and Dissector combo make for a fast and fun trail or enduro tire set up. The Dissector was designed to be a faster and lighter enduro tire and will minimize drag and make for a fast rolling tire. the Minion DHF is a classic trail/enduro tire that will balance rolling speed and traction. This is an ideal set up for most trail and enduro conditions.
Maxxis Enduro/Downhill
Front: Assegai
Rear: Assegai
The double Assegai tire set up delivers predictable grip and stability in the most variety of conditions. Running the Assegai in both front and rear is a heavier duty set up, ideal for big enduro bikes or down hill riding. The Assegai tire is great for many conditions and any trails.
Front: Assegai
Rear: Minion DHR
Running the Assegai and Minion DHR combo gets you a grippy and fast rolling set up for aggressive enduro and downhill riding. The Maxxis Minion DHR in the back will give you plenty of cornering control and braking traction while still producing a fast rolling tire. The Assegai in the front will give you all the stability and control you need.
Maxxis Tires by Riding Type
XC Tires
Maxxis cross country tires are light and fast rolling. There are a variety of Maxxis XC tires suitable for a variety of conditions from dry and hardpacked to loose and mixed trail conditions. We stock a range of cross country tires that work for racing, single track, and trail use. Here is a summary of Maxxis cross country tires we stock and their intended use:
Ardent: XC and light duty trail
Ardent Race: Meaty XC tread
Aspen: Maxxis go-to XC race tire
Forekaster: Tread the line between XC and trail
Rekon: Well-balanced trail performance
Rekon Race: Semi-slick XC race tread
Trail Tires
Maxxis trail tires offer performance for a variety of conditions. Including moderate to aggressive tread patterns for reliable traction and grip on diverse terrains. Here is a summary of Maxxis trail tires we stock and their intended use:
Aggressor: Rear tire for dry, rocky terrain
Ardent: XC and light duty trail
Ardent Race: Meaty XC tread
Assegai: Grippy aggressive tire
Dissector: Minimize drag while retaining cornering control
Forekaster: Tread the line between XC and trail
High Roller II: Aggressive tread for loose conditions
Minion DHF: The gold standard of MTB tires
Minion DHR: A perfect match to the DHF
Minion SS: Semi-slick for aggressive riding
Rekon: Well-blanaced trail performance
Snyper: Trail tire for youth mountain bikes
Enduro Tires
Maxxis enduro tires are designed to handle the rigorous demands of enduro racing, treading the line between trail and downhill riding. The treads are aggressive, with deep, widely spaced knobs that provide traction and control. Here is a summary of Maxxis enduro tires we stock and their intended use:
Aggressor: Rear tire for dry, rocky terrain
Assegai: Grippy aggressive tire
Dissector: Minimize drag while retaining conering control
High Roller II: Aggresive tread for loose conditions
Minion DHF: The gold standard of MTB tires
Minion DHR: A perfect match to the DHF
Minion SS: Semi-slick for aggressive riding
DH Tires
Maxxis downhill tires provide durability, traction, and performance making them a top choice for competitive racers. These tires feature robust sidewalls and advanced rubber compounds to provide grip and stability.
Assegai: Grippy aggressive tire
Dissector: Minimize drag while retaining conering control
High Roller II: Aggresive tread for loose conditions
Minion DHF: The gold standard of MTB tires
Minion DHR: A perfect match to the DHF
Maxxis Bike Tire Technology
Puncture Protection
Silkworm - Silkworm is an exclusive material incorporated into the casing of select models, increasing puncture and tear resistance. Silkworm is featured under the tread as a breaker.
ZK – ZK is a puncture protective material that is lighter, more flexible, and stronger than previous materials such as K2. Maxxis will typically use ZK as a breaker layer, positioned underneath the tread in the middle of the tire.
EXO – EXO is an extremely cut-resistant and abrasion-resistant material added to the sidewalls of select Maxxis mountain tires. It is a densely woven fabric that is lightweight and highly flexible, ensuring the performance of the tire remains unaffected. EXO protection is great for exceptionally rocky trails where the chance of slicing a sidewall is high.
EXO+ - EXO+ combines SilkShield and EXO materials resulting in a very strong tire. The SilkShield layer runs from bead-to-bead with a layer of EXO along the sidewalls of the tire. Combined these materials improve tread puncture protection by 27%, sidewall durability by 51%, and resistance to pinch flats by 28%.
Double Down (DD) – DoubleDown is a dual-ply tire casing for enduro racing. Two 120 TPI casing layers reinforced with a butyl insert provides enduro racers with the support and protection of a downhill tire, but in a lighter weight tire.
Rubber Compounds
MaxxSpeed: Is Maxxis’ top-shelf rubber compound for XC racing. A high-silica content compound which reduces rolling resistance while enhancing traction in wet conditions.
3C MaxxSpeed: Used primarily in Maxxis cross country tires. The two compounds in the outer layer reduce rolling resistance and optimize traction and durability.
3C MaxxTerra: Triple compound used across Maxxis mountain tire line. The MaxxTerra compound offers more traction than the 3C MaxxSpeed, and provides better durability and less rolling resistance than MaxxGrip making it ideal for all trail riding conditions.
3C MaxxGrip: This is Maxxis’ stickiest and slowest rebounding rubber available. It’s a high traction compound ideal for downhill and enduro riding. This is the same rubber compound used by their top World Cup Downhill and Enduro World Series athletes.