CX/Gravel Tire Test: Maxxis Re-Fuse Gravel 40

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  • Maxxis Re-Fuse Gravel 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts



Maxxis Re-Fuse Gravel 40 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

The Maxxis Re-Fuse has been given this name because it refuses to puncture. The name makes it immediately clear what Maxxis has developed this tire for: preventing you from stranding somewhere with a flat tire. With a tire designed mainly to provide a very high puncture resistance, we do not expect a low rolling resistance. That doesn't have to be a problem as long as we know the trade-offs of this choice.


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The Re-Fuse consists of a 60 TPI tubeless-ready casing, dual-compound rubber, and a layer of MaxxShield anti-puncture material, which must ensure a very high puncture resistance. The tread is a virtually slick design with only a very light diamond-knurled pattern. 


We already tested the Re-Fuse in the 25-622 size for the road bike section. This is a test of the 40-622 version which is made for gravel bikes.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Maxxis
Model Re-Fuse Gravel
Year 2020
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number TB95987000
EAN4717784031019
TPI 60
Compound Dual
Bead Folding
ETRTO 40-622
Specified Weight 520 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 60
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 32-622 (700x32)
40-622 (700x40)

Maxxis Re-Fuse Gravel 40 Test Results

Maxxis Re-Fuse Gravel 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 520 grams
Measured Weight 514 grams
Measured Width Casing 37 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 37 mm
Measured Height 35 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 0.3 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 0.3 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 3.70 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 37 mm 37 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

(54 psi / 3.7 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

(45 psi / 3.1 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

(36 psi / 2.6 bar)
30.1 Watts
CRR: 0.00902
33.9 Watts
CRR: 0.01016
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

(27 psi / 1.9 bar)
33.6 Watts
CRR: 0.01007
38.6 Watts
CRR: 0.01157
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 Re-Fuse Gravel 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 98 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle 19
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 3.70 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 62 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 0.3 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 0.3 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 Re-Fuse Gravel 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

The Maxxis Re-Fuse is by far the most puncture-resistant gravel bike tire you can find. Compared to the tires we tested so far, the Re-Fuse has almost twice the tread puncture resistance than the next tire. The puncture resistance of the side walls is a bit more in line with the rest, but certainly not bad.


As can be expected from such a puncture-resistant tire, rolling resistance is very high. Also, the grip on loose surfaces will not be great because the tire has a nearly slick, diamond-knurled tread pattern.


If your priority, however, is that you want to reduce your chance of a flat tire as much as possible, we consider that chance with the Maxxis Re-Fuse to be very small. Of course, for extra puncture resistance, mount them tubeless with sufficient sealant.


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RATING: 3.5 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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