Maxxis ignoring eMTBs?

mehukatti

Active member
Apr 25, 2020
123
154
Finland
Does anyone else here feel that Maxxis is ignoring eMTBs? They only offer paper thin EXO+ tires in 2.6" width. What is missing are 2.6" DoubleDown and Downhill tires which would be more suitable for heavy eMTBs. Their popular 2.4" and 2.5" tires are incredibly low volume and narrow on a full power eMTB.
 
Last edited:

steve_sordy

Wedding Crasher
Nov 5, 2018
9,013
9,440
Lincolnshire, UK
My Merida eOne-Sixty came with:
Front: Maxxis Assegai 29x2.5 folding, TR DD 3C MaxxGrip. (1335gm)
Rear: Maxxis Aggressor 27.5x2.5 folding, TR DD Dual. (1105gm)

Both are DoubleDown and are not lightweights. OK they are not 2.6" like you want, but that is not far off.

If you believe that even those are not man enough for your needs, maybe consider adding Cushcore inserts.

The Maxxis Assegai is highly rated, I like it. The Maxxis Aggressor was rated by one comparison website as the best all round rear tyre, but I could not get on with it at all. So I replaced it with a WTB Trail Boss 27.5x2.6 TCS Light (Triple Compound + nylon Slash guard, Light casing). (1063g) The Trail Boss also comes with a heavier casing.
I also rate the WTB Vigilante for a front tyre. WTB Vigilante 29x2.5 TCS Light High Grip with TriTec compound and Slash Guard 1160gm. It too comes in a heavier casing.
 

Russell

Well-known member
Dec 16, 2018
211
149
Iow
The 2.8 minions are totally rubbish with regard to their longevity. I've had two split the side wall well before the tread was warn and I only ride light xc. Considering they cost as much as, or more than motocross tyres I think that's poor.
The side wall feel similar in thickness to a inner tube.
I will not be buying maxxis tyres again.
 

lightning

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2021
715
410
UK
Well yes, my 2020 Kona Ebike came with 2.8" Maxxis Minion DHF and DHR on it.

They seem fine to me, only had one puncture in 1500 miles, when a ruddy great thorn went through the front, needed pliers to pull it out!

The rear is due for changing soon but after 1500 miles off/on road l don't think that's too bad.

image.jpg
 

The Hodge

Mystic Meg
Subscriber
Sep 9, 2020
3,969
8,451
North West Northumberland
Well yes, my 2020 Kona Ebike came with 2.8" Maxxis Minion DHF and DHR on it.

They seem fine to me, only had one puncture in 1500 miles, when a ruddy great thorn went through the front, needed pliers to pull it out!

The rear is due for changing soon but after 1500 miles off/on road l don't think that's too bad.

View attachment 70790
Lets not be hasty here ..if that is a current pic you are good for another 1500 miles ..?
 

mehukatti

Active member
Apr 25, 2020
123
154
Finland
I did.hence why I said I gave up on them. I went down the schwalbe route haven't looked back.

Yeah, I have been riding Schwalbe 2.6 Magic Mary and 2.6 Big Betty on my Bullit since I bought it. Now tried the original 2.5 Assegai and 2.4 DHR II and they feel really skinny and low volume, which kind of inspired this topic. Yeah, Maxxis does have 2.6 tires, but not in the DoubleDown casing which would be most relevant for this bike. But looks like most people in the Maxxis world don't see an issue here.
 
Last edited:

mehukatti

Active member
Apr 25, 2020
123
154
Finland
The concept of an eMTB-specific tire makes no sense at all. Tires for heavier riders? Or "severe duty"? Perhaps.

Shouldn't a heavier bike demand a tire with more width and volume? If going with your logic and exaggerating a bit, motocross bikes should use cyclocross tires.
 

flash

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Patreon
Nov 24, 2018
1,050
986
Wamberal, NSW Australia
Shouldn't a heavier bike demand a tire with more width and volume? If going with your logic and exaggerating a bit, motocross bikes should use cyclocross tires.

More to do with riding conditions and rider style, I would think. I really didn't like the 2.8's that came on my original eMTB. Much prefer the feel of the 2.5's I'm on now.

Cyclocross is limited by UCI rules. Left to their own devices most riders would gravitate to a wider gravel tyre.

Gordon
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
Author
Subscriber
Mar 29, 2018
10,496
10,702
the internet
Shouldn't a heavier bike demand a tire with more width and volume?
No. With the exception of fatbiking in sand and snow extra wide large volume mtb tyres are in fact a bit shit in general whether your bike weighs 20lb or 60lb!
exaggerating a bit, motocross bikes should use cyclocross tires.
Yeah, just a bit :rolleyes:

Cyclocross is limited by UCI rules. Left to their own devices most riders would gravitate to a wider gravel tyre.
Where do you get this nonsense from?
CX racing is predominantly raced in wet grass, mud and sand. A wider gravel tyre would be awful in those conditions.
and there are no rules preventing the use of mountainbike tyres, nevermind gravel tyres
 
Last edited:

lightning

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2021
715
410
UK
Straight line billy ?

l know, it does look fairly bad doesn't it? Although l don't get my knee down on corners, l thought l was better than that....

I think it's the road miles that may have squared off the rear tyre, out of the 1500 miles l've done on the bike, around 1000 have been on the tarmac.
 

RickBullotta

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Jun 5, 2019
1,849
1,579
USA
Shouldn't a heavier bike demand a tire with more width and volume? If going with your logic and exaggerating a bit, motocross bikes should use cyclocross tires.

Of course - but not labeled "eMTB tires". That's my point. Heavier riders, more demanding terrain, heavier bikes - need beefier tires. It has nothing to do with whether or not it has a motor. a 100kg rider on a regular MTB needs a heavier tire also.
 

flash

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Patreon
Nov 24, 2018
1,050
986
Wamberal, NSW Australia
Where do you get this nonsense from?
CX racing is predominantly raced in wet grass, mud and sand. A wider gravel tyre would be awful in those conditions.
and there are no rules preventing the use of mountainbike tyres, nevermind gravel tyres

From the UCI technical regulations, actually. I quote.....

"Wheels of the bicycle may vary in diameter between 70 cm maximum and 55 cm minimum, including the tyre. For the cyclo-cross bicycle the width of the tyre (measured between the widest parts) shall not exceed 33 mm and it may not incorporate any form of spike or stud."

So no MTB or wide gravel tyres are allowed by regulation. Most tyres sold as "gravel" are wider than 33mm.

Gordon
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
Author
Subscriber
Mar 29, 2018
10,496
10,702
the internet
Ah... OK. Sorry. In UCI events yes those rules apply. But I assure you a normal mountainbike can be entered in domestic CX races.
I did one once for a laugh on a 26" wheel Dirt jump bike. It really wan't much of a laugh but at least I didn't have to get off to jump over any of the silly XC hurdles and logs

I really can't see anyone here ever being eligible to enter a UCI CX race. :LOL:
 

Slowroller

Well-known member
Founding Member
Jan 15, 2018
494
496
Wyoming
Yeah, I have been riding Schwalbe 2.6 Magic Mary and 2.6 Big Betty on my Bullit since I bought it. Now tried the original 2.5 Assegai and 2.4 DHR II and they feel really skinny and low volume, which kind of inspired this topic. Yeah, Maxxis does have 2.6 tires, but not in the DoubleDown casing which would be most relevant for this bike. But looks like most people in the Maxxis world don't see an issue here.

Maxxis are chronically undersized, their 2.5s are really closer to 2.4s. There are two reasons that above 2.5" Maxxis doesn't use a DD casing, one being that mid fat tires are already heavy to begin with, and the other is it's a dying category. 2.6 - 3" tires were popular for a short time, especially with new riders but quickly lost favor among experienced riders as the weight tradeoff meant that they were either pigs, or too fragile, and also the bulk meant that they were not precise enough for most people. All top DH racers are on 2.5" or smaller tires with inserts for good reason.
 

Rob Rides EMTB

Administrator
Staff member
Subscriber
Jan 14, 2018
6,260
13,700
Surrey, UK
Maxxis are chronically undersized, their 2.5s are really closer to 2.4s. There are two reasons that above 2.5" Maxxis doesn't use a DD casing, one being that mid fat tires are already heavy to begin with, and the other is it's a dying category. 2.6 - 3" tires were popular for a short time, especially with new riders but quickly lost favor among experienced riders as the weight tradeoff meant that they were either pigs, or too fragile, and also the bulk meant that they were not precise enough for most people. All top DH racers are on 2.5" or smaller tires with inserts for good reason.
There’s a ton of ebikes being specced with 2.6” tyres now. Maybe the majority of them even?
 

Rob Rides EMTB

Administrator
Staff member
Subscriber
Jan 14, 2018
6,260
13,700
Surrey, UK
In fact, I’m bet that Maxxis are working on stuff oriented to EMTB. Like an ebike specific range / burlier tyre. For the exact reason that the thread was started.
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
Author
Subscriber
Mar 29, 2018
10,496
10,702
the internet
Yeah. of course they will. it's easy money. init?
But...
Like most cycle tyre manufacturers Maxxis are struggling to supply their distributors world wide right now.
I'd personally prefer if they used their resources to try and get ontop of that before producing a pointless 0.1" wider tyre range to keep a bunch of moany Ebike beginners happy.
 

Jimbo Vills

E*POWAH Master
Subscriber
May 15, 2020
805
1,429
Kent
Yeah. of course they will. it's easy money. init?
But...
Like most cycle tyre manufacturers Maxxis are struggling to supply their distributors world wide right now.
I'd personally prefer if they used their resources to try and get ontop of that before producing a pointless 0.1" wider tyre range to keep a bunch of moany Ebike beginners happy.

Exactly, easy money!

And us straight line Billy’s eat tyres faster and pay a premium for the ‘e’….

So I bet I know what market they want to focus on most.

Unfortunately for the real riders
 

EMTB Forums

Since 2018

The World's largest electric mountain bike community.

555K
Messages
28,054
Members
Join Our Community

Latest articles


Top