CX/Gravel Tire Test: Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR 120 TPI 40

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  • Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR 120 TPI 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts



Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR 120 TPI 40 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

The Rambler is a gravel bike tire from Maxxis that should suit a large range of on- and off-road conditions. Although Maxxis is quite a well-known brand in mountain biking, they aren't that big yet in gravel bikes. The Rambler is their first tire designed entirely for gravel bikes.


Ad Buy Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR 120 TPI at Amazon.com


Our first impression of the Rambler (looks and specifications) is positive as it looks like a well-rounded all-purpose gravel bike tire, and it's available in all of the popular gravel bike tire sizes. One thing to beware of is that Maxxis usually releases a huge amount of different specifications of the same tire, and the Rambler is no different. Be aware that this is a test of the 120 TPI "EXO/TR" version and the other versions might perform differently.


The Rambler is available in 120 TPI and 60 TPI versions and also a 60 TPI version with "Silkshield" protection which means it has a protective layer that runs from bead to bead, unlike the "EXO" protection that is sidewall only. The 60 TPI EXO/TR version comes with tan-colored sidewalls and the 120 TPI version has black sidewalls. If you prefer tan-colored sidewalls and the 120 TPI casing, that's not possible.


Maxxis did a good job with making the Rambler available in the most popular tire sizes for gravel bikes: 38, 40, 45, and 50 mm and also 47 mm for the 27.5/650b wheel size. 50 mm is a size we do not see all that often with gravel bike tires (it's getting dangerously close to a mountain bike tire) but it looks like there's demand for oversized gravel bike tires.


The compound used on the Rambler is a "Dual" compound and we're a bit disappointed it doesn't use Maxxis's 3C compound technology. Maybe the "Dual" compound is just as good but we couldn't find much information about it. Let's just put it on the test bench and see how it does in our tests.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Maxxis
Model Rambler EXO/TR 120 TPI
Year 2021
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number ETB00195800
EAN4717784038070
TPI 120
Compound Dual
Bead Folding
ETRTO 40-622
Specified Weight 440 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 60
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 38-622 (700x38c)
40-622 (700x40c)
45-622 (700x45c)
50-622 (700x50c)
47-584 (650x47b)

Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR 120 TPI 40 Test Results

Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR 120 TPI 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 440 grams
Measured Weight 420 grams
Measured Width Casing 39 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 40 mm
Measured Height 37 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 1.4 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 1.8 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 1.80 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results


Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube None (30 ml sealant)

(current protocol)
Conti Cross28 (160 gr)

(test protocol)
Measured Width 39 mm 39 mm
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar
33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar
36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar
39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar
47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
High Air Pressure

(50 psi / 3.4 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar
33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar
39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar
47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 bar
Medium Air Pressure

(42 psi / 2.9 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar
33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar
36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar
39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar
47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 bar
Low Air Pressure

(33 psi / 2.3 bar)
25.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00749
28.8 Watts
CRR: 0.00863
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar
36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar
39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar
43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar
47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 bar
Extra Low Air Pressure

(25 psi / 1.7 bar)
29.5 Watts
CRR: 0.00884
34.5 Watts
CRR: 0.01034
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width.

All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs.

Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR 120 TPI 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 28 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 1.80 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results


Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average 63 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 1.4 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 1.8 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100
CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion


  • Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR 120 TPI 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

The 120 TPI Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR doesn't impress us as it lacks some speed and at the same time doesn't perform all that well in our puncture tests. We are positive about the tread profile of this tire as it looks like it will suit a very large range of conditions. A faster "3C" compound might have helped give it a bump in performance as we think gravel bike tires should have the fastest compounds to differentiate more from mountain bike tires.


If you're looking for gravel bike tires that perform well year-round, these might be fine, but you might miss that last edge in performance. As always, we recommend you to go to our CX/Gravel overview page and compare the Rambler against the competition.


Ad Buy Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR 120 TPI at Amazon.com


RATING: 3.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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