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

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.

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
Manufacturer part number	TB95987000
EAN	4717784031019
TPI	60
Compound	Dual
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	40-622
Specified Weight	520 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	60
Made In	Pro Data
Available Sizes	32-622 (700x32) 40-622 (700x40)

Maxxis Re-Fuse Gravel 40 Test Results

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	Pro Data
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)
Measured Width	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 barHigh Air Pressure (54 psi / 3.7 bar)	Pro Data
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 barMedium Air Pressure (45 psi / 3.1 bar)	Pro Data
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 barLow Air Pressure (36 psi / 2.6 bar)	30.1 Watts CRR: 0.00902
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 barExtra Low Air Pressure (27 psi / 1.9 bar)	Pro Data
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

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	98 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	19
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	3.70 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Pro Data

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	62 Points
Wet Grip Center	Pro Data
Wet Grip Edge	Pro Data
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

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.

RATING: 3.5 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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