MTB Tire Test: Maxxis Rekon Race EXO TR
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 26.6 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 25 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 60 Points
- Conclusion: 3.0 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Maxxis Rekon Race EXO TR
Maxxis describes the Rekon Race as a semi-slick XC race tire which we feel is questionable as the center knobs are bigger than we expect from a semi-slick MTB tire. Maxxis recommends to use the Rekon Race as a rear tire with a more aggressive tire on the front for general XC use, or Rekon Race front and rear for racing on short tracks and you don't need much front grip.
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We're testing the 29x2.25 Rekon Race 120 TPI EXO TR which means it has a 120 TPI casing with reinforced sidewalls (EXO) and is tubeless-ready (TR). The compound is the Maxxis "Dual Compound" of which we couldn't find much information except it's harder in the center and softer on the edges. We'll be comparing the Rekon Race EXO TR to the Maxxis Aspen EXO TR (read review), Maxxis Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed (read review), Schwalbe Racing Ralph '19 TLE Addix Speed (read review), and the Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip (read review).
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Maxxis |
| Model | Rekon Race EXO TR |
| Year | 2019 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | ETB00046300 |
| EAN | 4717784033389 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | Dual Compound |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 57-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Width Inch | 2.25 |
| Specified Weight | 670 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 60 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes | 29x2.25 |
Maxxis Rekon Race EXO TR Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 670 grams |
| Measured Weight | 680 grams |
| Measured Width Carcass | 55 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Width Tread | 56 mm |
| Measured Height | 54 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 1.9 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 3.5 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) | 1.5 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 |
23.0 Watts CRR: 0.00689 | 26.5 Watts CRR: 0.00794 |
| Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar |
26.6 Watts CRR: 0.00797 | 31.1 Watts CRR: 0.00932 |
| 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 | 25 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 | 1.5 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 | 60 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 1.9 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 3.5 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 Rekon Race EXO TR
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
Surprisingly, the Rekon Race EXO TR is faster than the Maxxis Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed which is something we did not expect. The Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed is lighter, doesn't have reinforced sidewalls and we were under the impression the 3C MaxxSpeed was the fastest compound in the Maxxis MTB lineup. Compared to the very similar Maxxis Aspen EXO TR, performance in our tests in nearly identical with only minor differences here and there.
Compared to the Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE with Addix SpeedGrip compound, the Rekon Race performs just a little bit worse in nearly all of our tests and measurements. We rated the Racing Ray 4 out of 5 so we think a rating of 3 out of 5 is reasonable for the Rekon Race. We still recommend this tire as the differences are small and if you like the Rekon Race, there is no need to change. If you're looking for the absolute fastest MTB tires, faster tires available (MTB Overview).
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RATING:
3.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended