Bike Technology

    Tire Mounting Instructions

    How to Mount a Tubeless Ready Tire
    How to Mount a Tube Type Tire
    How to Mount a Tubular Tire

    Bike Technology

    Whether it’s the grueling demands of long-distance road racing, the punishing demands of mountain biking and cyclocross or the exhilaration of BMX riding, Maxxis tires have become renowned as the ultimate cycle tire for enthusiasts and professionals around the globe.

    We place great importance on providing cyclists with the best products possible and we are constantly striving to discover ways in which to improve and innovate the tires we offer.

    The technology that goes into making every Maxxis cycle tire is intelligently and thoroughly researched, bringing you products you can trust and rely on throughout your life’s journey in cycling.

    Here, we reveal some of the inner-most technology and revolutionary science behind the tires on your bicycle.

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    Tire Construction Technology

    Tire Construction Technology

    BASIC TIRE CONSTRUCTION

    BEAD

    The function of the bead is to keep the tire in contact with the rim while the tire is inflated.

    WIRE BEAD: A rigid metal wire is utilized as bead material in applications where ultimate strength is needed and transportability is not a factor.

    FOLDABLE BEAD: Foldable beads also keep the tire secured to the rim but are lighter weight and easily transported. The bead is made of spun aramid or Kevlar® fibers.

    CARBON FIBER BEAD: A flexible material with greater strength to withstand the forces exerted by a high-pressure road tire.

    CASING

    SINGLE-PLY CASING: One layer of nylon wrapped from bead-to-bead. A single-ply casing conforms well to the terrain and is lighter weight.

    DUAL-PLY CASING: Two layers of casing material are used from bead-to-bead, providing additional protection and sidewall stiffness for enduro and downhill applications.

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    Wide Trail Construction

    Wide Trail (WT) construction optimizes the tire’s tread layout and profile on today’s modern, wider rims. Traditional tires are designed around older, narrower rims and can create an overly square tire profile, leading to less than optimal performance. WT tires are optimized for a 35mm inner rim width but are proven to work over a range from 30-35mm inner rim widths, depending on the rider’s preference.

    Maxxis Wide Trail XC tires are optimized for use with 30mm internal width rims, but they will perform well on rims as narrow as 25mm. Maxxis does not recommend rims wider than 30mm or narrower than 25mm

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    Tubeless Ready

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    Tubular

    A traditional tire construction in which the tire casing is sewn or wrapped around an inner tube. These types of tires must be glued or taped onto tubular-specific rims.

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    Puncture Protection & Casing Technology

    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 gives better puncture, cut and abrasion resistance but is heavier. Higher TPI conforms better to the terrain, offering a smoother, more comfortable ride while reducing the weight of the tire.

    Maxxis TPI ratings are the threads-per-inch of a single casing ply, as compared to some competitor TPI ratings.

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    Silkworm

    Silkworm is an exclusive material incorporated into the casing of select models, increasing puncture and tear resistance. Silkworm is featured under the tread as a breaker.

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    ZK

    ZK is our next generation puncture protection material that is lighter, more flexible, and stronger than previous materials such as K2. Maxxis typically uses ZK as a breaker layer, situated underneath the tread in the middle of the tire.

    Maxxis ZK Puncture Protection

    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.

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    EXO+

    EXO+ is Maxxis’ medium-duty puncture protection option suitable for all-around trail riding and light weight e-bikes. We begin with a durable 60 TPI casing, add in our legendary EXO puncture protection layer in the sidewalls, and top it off with a small butyl insert around the bead. The tough casing and EXO material ward off damage from rocks and roots, while the butyl insert protects the tire from pinch flats and helps prevent rim damage.

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    Double Down (DD)

    DoubleDown (DD) is the next step in the evolution of the dual-ply tire casing for enduro racing. Two 120 TPI casing layers reinforced with a butyl insert provide the enduro racer with the support and protection of a downhill tire, but in a lighter package.

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    Downhill (DH)

    Two layers of casing material are used from bead to bead, providing additional protection and sidewall stiffness for downhill applications.

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    Compound

    Types of Rubber Compounds

    The most important part of a tire is arguably the rubber compound within the tread. By changing the amounts of various components of the rubber formula, engineers can make two identical looking tires perform completely differently. A list of Maxxis compounds and their distinct characteristics is below.

    SINGLE COMPOUND

    One compound throughout the tread optimized for longevity and performance.

    DUAL COMPOUND

    Two compounds used within the tread of select tires to offer lower rolling resistance and increased cornering grip.

    TRIPLE COMPOUND

    Three compounds arranged in the tire for the ultimate in no-compromise racing performance.

    3C MaxxSpeed

    Used primarily in cross country and enduro tires, the two compounds in the outer layer are specially formulated to reduce rolling resistance and optimize treadwear and traction.

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    3C MaxxTerra

    An intermediate compound configuration used in select mountain tires. 3C MaxxTerra is softer and offers more traction than 3C MaxxSpeed, yet provides better treadwear and less rolling resistance than MaxxGrip.

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    3C MaxxGrip

    3C MaxxGrip uses the softest rubber compounds to offer the ultimate in grip and slow rebound properties for unparalleled traction in downhill applications.

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