MTB Tire Test: Maxxis Aspen EXO TR
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 26.1 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 29 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 53 Points
- Conclusion: 3.0 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Maxxis Aspen EXO TR
The Maxxis Aspen is a mountain bike tire with a high volume casing and a low profile tread. The Aspen looks like one of the fastest tires from Maxxis as the tread pattern in the center of the tire is quite low and open. The edge knobs are a bit bigger and look like they will provide decent grip when leaned over far enough.
This is a test of the 29x2.25 120 TPI EXO TR version of the Aspen that has a specified weight of 645 grams. The EXO TL part means this version has reinforced sidewalls (EXO) and is tubeless-ready (TL). The compound is a dual compound that is simply called "Dual Compound". We couldn't find much information about this compound so we're curious how it compares to the Maxxis 3C MaxxSpeed compound that we've tested before (Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed and Ardent Race 3C MaxxSpeed).
We've tested a few Maxxis MTB tires in the past and in general, they're not the fastest rolling tires out there. We're giving them another try to see how they stack up to other recent tires like the new 2019 Schwalbe Racing Ralph (read review) and Racing Ray (read review) with Addix Speed and SpeedGrip compounds.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Maxxis |
| Model | Aspen EXO TR |
| Year | 2019 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | ETB96895500 |
| EAN | 4717784032719 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | Dual Compound |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 57-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Width Inch | 2.25 |
| Specified Weight | 645 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 60 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
26x2.10 27.5x2.10 27.5x2.25 29x2.25 |
Maxxis Aspen EXO TR Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 645 grams |
| Measured Weight | 659 grams |
| Measured Width Carcass | 55 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Width Tread | 55 mm |
| Measured Height | 55 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.1 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 3.3 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) | 2 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Inner Tube |
None (40 ml sealant) (current protocol) | Conti MTB 29 (225 gr butyl) (test protocol) |
| Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar |
22.7 Watts CRR: 0.00680 | 26.2 Watts CRR: 0.00785 |
| Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar |
26.1 Watts CRR: 0.00782 | 30.6 Watts CRR: 0.00917 |
| 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 | 29 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 6 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2 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 | 53 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.1 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 3.3 mm |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 MTB grip test rim width = 30.0 mm |
|
| Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info) | |
Conclusion
- Maxxis Aspen EXO TR
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
Rolling resistance of the Maxxis Aspen EXO TR with the Maxxis Dual Compound is decent although it's still a bit slower than equivalent tires from Schwalbe. It looks like rolling resistance of the Maxxis Dual Compound is better than that of the Maxxis 3C MaxxSpeed compound which doesn't make sense to us.
The Aspen also comes with lower knobs on both the center and edge of the tread and weight is slightly higher as well when compared to the equivalent Schwalbe tire with reinforced sidewalls.
We rate the Maxxis Aspen 3 out of 5 because its performance is just a bit worse when compared to Schwalbe tires that scored 4 out of 5. Although we rate the Maxxis Aspen 3 out of 5 we still recommend this tire because the differences are small and other factors that we do not test might be more important to you.
RATING:
3.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended