Maxxis has been building high performance bicycle tyres since 1967, earning a reputation for consistency, durability and race winning control across every discipline. From early off road development to modern World Cup downhill and enduro racing, Maxxis has become one of the most trusted names in mountain biking. Their tyres are chosen by elite riders for the same reason everyday riders rely on them: predictable grip, stable handling and dependable construction when the terrain gets rough.
Maxxis designs each tyre around a simple idea. A rider can only push their limits when they trust the rubber beneath them. That confidence comes from compounds that grip in all conditions, casings that hold shape under load and puncture protection layers that keep the tyre rolling when the trail turns sharp, rocky or unpredictable.
Maxxis MTB Tyre Range
The Maxxis mountain bike line covers every style of riding, from fast rolling trail tyres to full gravity race options. Each model is built with a clear purpose and a proven track record on real trails and race courses.
Forekaster
A versatile all round trail tyre built for mixed conditions. The Forekaster offers confident braking and predictable control on loose, wet and variable terrain, making it a strong choice for year round riding.
Shorty
A mid spike tyre designed for soft ground, fresh cut trails and muddy conditions. The Shorty uses tall, widely spaced knobs and raised casing ridges to clear mud fast while maintaining grip in deep loam and wet roots.
High Roller
A gravity focused tyre with an open tread pattern that sheds mud quickly and maintains control in loose and mixed terrain. The High Roller offers strong cornering support and reliable braking on steep, technical tracks.
Assegai
Greg Minnaar’s signature tyre built for maximum grip in enduro and downhill riding. The Assegai uses tall, supportive knobs to deliver consistent traction on dust, loam, roots and rocks, giving riders confidence in the most demanding terrain.
Minion DHR II
A rear specific tyre designed for braking stability and cornering support. The DHR II uses paddle shaped centre knobs for strong braking control and wide shoulder knobs for predictable handling in loose and hardpack conditions.
Minion DHF
A benchmark front tyre for trail, enduro and downhill. The DHF offers strong cornering stability, reliable grip and a fast rolling centre tread, making it one of the most widely used front tyres in mountain biking.
Dissector
A fast rolling rear tyre developed for enduro racing. The Dissector balances speed, braking control and cornering grip, making it ideal for dry, loose and high speed trails.
Rubber Compounds
Maxxis compounds are built to match specific riding styles. Single, dual and triple compound options allow riders to choose between rolling speed, durability and outright grip. 3C MaxxGrip uses the softest rubber for maximum traction and slow rebound control in downhill applications. 3C MaxxTerra offers a balance of grip, wear life and rolling efficiency for trail and enduro riding. The latest MaxxTerra update improves performance and durability for modern bikes and higher speeds.
Casing Construction
Every Maxxis tyre is built around a casing that defines its strength and ride feel. Lightweight single ply casings suit trail and all mountain riding, while dual ply downhill casings provide maximum stability and impact protection. EXO and EXO+ add cut and abrasion resistance for rocky terrain, with EXO+ combining SilkShield and EXO layers for improved puncture protection and sidewall durability. DoubleDown uses two 120 TPI layers with a butyl insert to deliver downhill level support in a lighter enduro package.
Puncture Protection
Maxxis puncture protection layers range from light and supple options for fast rolling tyres up to full bead to bead MaxxShield technology. These layers help prevent cuts, pinch flats and tread punctures without compromising the tyre’s ride quality.
Tubeless Ready
Most Maxxis mountain bike tyres use Tubeless Ready construction. Running lower pressures improves grip and comfort, reduces rolling resistance and lowers the chance of flats. When combined with modern rims and sealants, Maxxis tubeless tyres offer a reliable and high performance setup for all types of riding.
Maxxis MTB Casing Types Explained
Maxxis uses different casing constructions to control how a tyre feels, how strong it is and how well it resists punctures. Each casing is built for a specific style of riding, from lightweight trail to full downhill protection.
Below is a simple, accurate breakdown of what each casing does and who it is for.
EXO
A lightweight, single ply casing with an added cut resistant sidewall layer.
What it does
- Protects against slashes and abrasions
- Keeps weight low
- Maintains a supple ride feel
Best for
Trail, XC, light all mountain.
EXO+
A stronger version of EXO that combines SilkShield (bead to bead protection) with the EXO sidewall layer.
What it does
- Increases tread puncture protection
- Improves sidewall durability
- Reduces pinch flat risk
- Stiffer and more supportive than EXO
Best for
Aggressive trail, enduro, rocky terrain.
DoubleDown (DD)
A dual ply enduro casing built to sit between EXO+ and full DH.
What it does
- Uses two 120 TPI layers for strength
- Adds a butyl insert for rim impact protection
- Offers downhill level support with less weight
Best for
Enduro racing, bike park riding, e‑MTB, riders who hit hard.
Downhill (DH)
The strongest casing Maxxis makes. Full dual ply construction with thick sidewalls and a butyl insert.
What it does
- Maximum stability at speed
- Maximum puncture protection
- Handles heavy impacts and sharp terrain
- Very stiff and supportive
Best for
Downhill racing, uplift days, gravity riding only.
Wide Trail (WT)
Not a casing, but a shaping standard. WT tyres are designed for 30 to 35 mm inner rim widths.
What it does
- Keeps the tread profile correct on modern rims
- Improves cornering support
- Prevents the tyre from becoming too square or too round
Best for
Modern trail, enduro and DH wheelsets.
Quick Comparison Table
| Casing |
Weight |
Protection |
Support |
Best Use |
| EXO |
Light |
Low |
Soft |
Trail, XC |
| EXO+ |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Aggressive trail, enduro |
| DoubleDown |
High |
High |
High |
Enduro, bike park, e‑MTB |
| Downhill |
Very high |
Maximum |
Maximum |
DH racing, gravity |
Maxxis MTB Rubber Compounds Explained
Maxxis uses different rubber compounds to control grip, rolling speed, durability and rebound. Each compound is tuned for a specific style of riding, from fast rolling trail tyres to full downhill race grip.
Below is a simple, accurate breakdown of every compound you will see across the Maxxis MTB range.
Single Compound
A single rubber blend used across the whole tread.
What it does
- Durable
- Predictable wear
- Lower rolling resistance
Best for
XC, commuting, general trail riding.
Dual Compound
Two rubber blends: harder in the centre, softer on the shoulders.
What it does
- Faster rolling centre
- Better cornering grip
- Longer tread life than 3C
Best for
Trail, all mountain, riders who want balanced performance.
Maxxis 3C Compounds
3C stands for triple compound. Three rubber layers are used to tune grip, rebound and durability.
3C MaxxSpeed
The fastest rolling 3C compound.
What it does
- Prioritises speed
- Harder base and centre
- Softer shoulders for cornering
Best for
XC racing, fast trail riding.
3C MaxxTerra
A mid level triple compound for all round trail and enduro.
What it does
- More grip than MaxxSpeed
- Better wear life and lower rolling resistance than MaxxGrip
- Balanced feel for mixed terrain
Best for
Trail, all mountain, enduro.
3C MaxxGrip
The softest and grippiest Maxxis compound.
What it does
- Maximum traction
- Slow rebound for control on roots and rocks
- Shorter wear life but highest performance
Best for
Downhill, enduro racing, wet and technical terrain.
Specialised Compounds
Super Tacky
A very soft single compound used on some gravity tyres.
What it does
- High grip
- Simple construction
- Less durable than 3C options
Best for
Downhill, bike park, riders who want maximum stickiness.
Quick Comparison Table
| Compound |
Grip |
Rolling Speed |
Durability |
Best Use |
| Single |
Low |
High |
High |
XC, general trail |
| Dual |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Trail, all mountain |
| 3C MaxxSpeed |
Medium |
Very high |
Medium |
XC, fast trail |
| 3C MaxxTerra |
High |
Medium |
Medium |
Trail, enduro |
| 3C MaxxGrip |
Very high |
Low |
Low |
DH, enduro race |
| Super Tacky |
Very high |
Low |
Low |
DH, bike park |
