Tire Maxxis Aspen ST 29x2,4 MaxxSpeed, EXO, TR 170TPI

Riders have asked, pleaded, and maybe even begged, and Maxxis has finally answered. Starting in time for the 2024 race season, Maxxis will offer a limited production run of the Aspen ST along with a 170 TPI casing version of the venerable Aspen. Until now, these tires were reserved only for our top race teams. 
 
The Aspen ST is an ultra-low-profile race tire designed primarily for short track XC use, although we have seen some of our athletes use the narrower 29x2.25 size on their gravel bikes as well. Sometimes referred to as the “Fastpen,” this tire is sure to give any racer an edge in dry, grassy conditions. It is not recommended for more technical tracks or mixed weather conditions due to the limited tread profile. 
 
The team-spec Aspens use the same tread pattern as the current production version, but with a lighter, faster and more supple 170 TPI casing. 
 
Tubeless Ready

Tubeless ready tires provide the rider with many benefits: the ability to run lower air pressures, which improves traction; lower rolling resistance when compared to a tube-type tire; and less chance of flatting because there is no tube. Tubeless ready tires are denoted by the letters “TR” on the sidewall.

Tubeless ready tires must be mounted to tubeless compatible rims and require the use of a liquid sealant to maintain pressure. Liquid sealants have the added benefit of sealing small punctures. Be sure to check your sealant regularly and refresh as needed as it will dry out over time.

Threads Per Inch (TPI)

The number of threads that cross through one square inch of a single ply of the tire’s casing. Lower TPI (ex. 60 TPI) gives better puncture, cut and abrasion resistance but is heavier. Higher TPI (ex. 120 TPI) conforms better to the terrain, offering a smoother, more comfortable ride while reducing the weight of the tire. The trade off being higher TPI casings are more fragile compared to lower TPI casings.

EXO

EXO is a cut- and abrasion-resistant material added to the sidewalls of many Maxxis mountain bike and gravel tires. This densely woven fabric is lightweight and highly flexible, ensuring that the performance of the tire remains unaffected. Choose EXO Protection for enhanced durability for gravel, XC, and light-duty trail riding.

MaxxSpeed

The new MaxxSpeed (2023) is our top-shelf rubber compound for XC racing. It’s a high-silica content compound which reduces rolling resistance while also enhancing wet traction. Compared to the previous 3C MaxxSpeed, the new compound has approximately 25% less rolling resistance in a lab setting (using the same tread pattern, construction, and tire pressure). In a real world setting, our testing shows the new compound can save up to a minute over the course of a 90-minute race.