Maxxis ASPEN XC Tire Quick Check - Semi-slick MTB Race Tire

[@JasonLiske]

I wonder why you don’t add ride quality or feel to these review videos. At the same time I do appreciate the technical prowess and discipline in the way you document !

[@jamble7k]

hope hub spotted, bulletproof 😎

[@briannoojin1710]

This Aspen reminds me of the old Ritchey Speedmax in 26". Those were fast tires. I think I might try a Rekon Race in front and Aspen in the rear for next race season.

[@zoubtube]

I am thoroughly impressed by this tire. recently installed one on the rear of my 29er, south east MI trails, lot of loose over hard, roots and rocks. our trails are like old fashion roller coasters, ups and downs with lots of hard fast turns. This tire is surprisingly responsive on and both ups and down and performs incredibly well in dry and damp conditions. amazing grip, including on rocks and roots. I haven't ridden it in the rain yet but have gone through some muddy areas where it loses grip immediately, but I expected this. I'm currently running it with a bontrager XR4 in the front, which so far is proving to be an excellent combination for dry conditions (Bontragers sort of suck in damp conditions and are completely useless in wet, (including XR3 and XR2) but I will say that these tire are very long lasting). I'm contemplating swapping the XR4 with an Aspen for the front (would love to see a 2.4 version). interested to here anyone's experience with an aspen in the front in similar scenarios as testing tires is getting out of control expensive these days. for a rear tire on a 29 wheel, I can honestly say that in dry and damp conditions it has better cornering grip and accuracy than the aggressor on my 27.5. Again, seriously impressive tire. way better than the Ikon imo. I have NO idea how long it will last but hopefully it will last longer than any shwalbe, which are pathetically brittle.

[@NomadFM]

Hum, Aspen is slippery even on pavement.

[@zoubtube]

@@NomadFM I can't speak to pavement since I don't ride my mtb on it. but I can say that on loose over hardpack trails with lots of roots and rocks, from dry to moist (I haven't ridden these in wet condition, we've had an abnormally dry season here this year) the 29 inch version of the aspen absolutely rocks as a rear tire. I recently noticed they released a 2.4 version, which I plan on testing on the front next season. My plan is to swap the aggressor on the rear of my 27.5 with the aspen next season as well. I don't know if the smaller size will have a negative effect but plan to find out.

[@maikelmetzker]

​@@zoubtube Awesome feedback, thank you very much! You helped me decide to put my Schwalbe aside! (Rocket Ron in front / Thunder Burt in the rear). So many punctures and cuts this year ...

[@TATEXPRESSINC]

Shoutout from TAT Express out of Hutchins, TX

[@flikdurbean349]

Awesome in depth reviews. Sweet and to the point.

[@Fred_the_1996]

The aspen makes a killer front tire, I run a michelin force XC at the back and an aspen at the front and it's pretty good NGL

[@Fred_the_1996]

@@LoveMTB the force XC doesn't have great traction when you lean to the side, but is very fast rolling and cheap, though it wears faster than most alternatives

[@Fred_the_1996]

@@LoveMTB and the aspen is very fast rolling as well and grips very well, even when turning aggressively and in the mud

[@Fred_the_1996]

@@LoveMTB thanks

[@highhaaaaays2378]

What would you choose between Aspen and Racing Ralph?

[@Fred_the_1996]

@@highhaaaaays2378 Racing Ralph if you're talking about the new Schwalbe tread design. For a racing bike I'd recommend a Racing Ray/Ralph combination

[@mudbutton2]

Good to see someone reviewing some lighter tyres. Seems like everyone thinks you need 2.5" enduro tyres to ride on trails nowadays...

[@Mike.4639]

Aspen 29 2,25, light, good puncture resistence, fast rolling. Very slippery in transition from straight to cornering. Very sensitive to tyre pressure. In wet Or mud stay home. GOOD rear tyre, for front Ikon all the way.

[@Mike.4639]

@@LoveMTB , he is a pro, and it's Not same tyre, he has a different TPI ( not available for sale i think).

[@Mike.4639]

@@LoveMTB think so yes

[@marcelopradostudios2719]

Boa noite comprei um par de Aspen 2,25 uso Aros wtb Sti 30 usava Rekon e Rekon Race era ótimo ainda uso em minha 27,5 e uso ikon na 26 até agora o rekon race foi o que mais gostei vamos ver como o Aspen se comporta eu quero mais rolagem

[@DouglasSantos-vy9zq]

Hey Man! What do you think about combining Ikon 2.2 in the front and Aspen 2.25 in the rear, for a fast Roling and a little control and grip in looser terrain at the front?
Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@WOLFTICKVIDEOS]

I run 2.8 Rocket Ron 27.5 on my Aggressor, but I'm looking at a couple of 29ers soon, so I figure I better do my homework on some tires. What is the price difference between these? If they are close in performance, then maybe price will separate them. I'm going to watch it over again to see if you already mentioned it. Thanks for the video.

[@Klips005]

Wish they'd start doing XC tires with the bigger shoulder knobs like an aggressor but lighter and a bit simpler mud cleaning design

[@daveeastcott9323]

I'd go Rekon (f) Ikon (r)...honestly though, if you haven't tried Kenda you're missing out...I'd ride booster Pro (r) and regolith pro (f) for trail/xc. Hellkat Pro (f) negegal 2 pro (r) for more hardcore apps... Imo Kenda are closest to the sweet spot of weight, tread/grip, rolling resistance, durability, longevity, cost and performance. If you try, I doubt U go back, but I'd be keen to see your thoughts...

[@erikwalnum1845]

@@LoveMTB Enjoying this review. I'm running the Rekon 2.6 f and Ikon 2.35 r and am looking for something a bit more confident out back for braking and cornering. Going to try the new Aspen 2.4 and hope it does the trick!

[@hulktruck3264]

why would you put ikon rear it's not a fast rolling tire

[@viclevy]

@@erikwalnum1845 I'm curious to know how did the Aspen performed? I also ride a 2.6 Rekon in front and 2.4r but lately the 2.4 are getting heavier (940 grams)

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Curious how the Ardent and Ardent Race compare in this picture.

[@woduk]

Could do with some of these, here in the uk, the trails are so dry at the minute it’s like riding abroad.

[@Andy-co6pn]

I run a conti race king protection on my hardtail. Super fast tyre , low rolling resistance but really good puncture resistance

[@woduk]

Andy yeah a bit over kill but running dhf front but thinking might switch out rear for something quicker if this dry weather continues

[@woduk]

LoveMTB I just don’t use them as can’t get them on my wheels otherwise I’d try them out

[@michaelmaney8317]

@@LoveMTB 2.2 as the only available width for Race King and X-king or the porky 2.3 X-king really doesn't provide a lot of high-volume options for use on wider rims

[@TheJofrica]

Hi would this be a good tire for use on road conditions? I am thinking of using my mtb also for road biking like during the week. Or any good recommendations for tires for such purposes?

[@TheJofrica]

@@LoveMTB Awesome, thanks for the info!

[@TheJofrica]

@@LoveMTB Thanks again, I am actually maybe thinking of using my mtb exclusively on road. I am getting a bit older and my hardtail hurts my bottom now from the vibrations and bumps even on concrete or road, so I like the suspension of my mtb. What would you say is the fastest Maxxis tire for this purpose, considering I may not need it for offroad at all? Aspen still? Thanks

[@highhaaaaays2378]

@@LoveMTB which is faster between Aspen and Race King? And which has better cornering grip?

[@highhaaaaays2378]

What would you prefer? Aspen or Racing Ralph?

[@GustavoDuartemtb]

@@LoveMTB Today, I have Racing Ralph (rear,) so its a lot of expensive in my Country (Brasil), whats its de best choise to terrain ? 26mm inner rims/30mm outside.

[@highhaaaaays2378]

@@LoveMTB I’m riding on a XC terrain often. My weight is 68kg and my rim width is a 30mm

[@highhaaaaays2378]

@@LoveMTB Are Conti Race King rolls as fast as the Aspen or Racing Ralphs? Which has better traction and less rolling resistance? Which of those theee you think is the fastest? I’m deciding what to put on my rear tire 😆

[@ANGELOBisDaKerBALBOA]

Hey bro can you recommend aspen for me? coz most of the times I'm riding more on pavement road for daily used riding sometimes for long rides about 100km..
So far for now I'm using ikon skinwall sometimes im using it for race..
I'm Planning to change my tires to aspen.

[@ANGELOBisDaKerBALBOA]

Any suggestion for tire size for me bro?

[@BaschtiM]

Do you think the Aspen 2,4 WT would also work on my rims? DT Swiss XR 1501 Spline One E-thru 110/142mm, 20C

[@BaschtiM]

@@LoveMTB thank you so much! I will gett some 2.25 Maxxis. Dont really know at the moment if i put Aspen front and rear. Or just rear and on front Ikon.

[@CyclingVideoChannel]

How is Aspen about puncture resistance? my Shwalbe Nobby Nic is constantly breaking through thorns, I think to replace it with Maxxis aspen

[@CyclingVideoChannel]

@@LoveMTB yes new ADDIX Speedgrip Tubeless sealant Slime does not cope with punctures, the wheels constantly go down after the trip ((

[@maikelmetzker]

@@CyclingVideoChannel I'm having the same puncture problems! I'm using a Thunder Burt 2.25 on the rear and a Rocket Ron 2.25 on the front (Muc-Off No Punctures Hassle).

[@maikelmetzker]

@@LoveMTB I'm having the same puncture problems! I'm using a Thunder Burt 2.25 on the rear and a Rocket Ron 2.25 on the front (Muc-Off No Punctures Hassle).

[@mr.jgrobbelaar6501]

Hi between that 3. What one has the best corner grip?

[@samorban9745]

@@LoveMTB so why you would put the Ikon in front then?
Btw thanks for the great review 👍

[@javierfernandez4089]

did you already test it? i would want to know if you feel aspen and rekon race as fast as schwalbe tyres are. thanks

[@javierfernandez4089]

@@LoveMTB as i imagined. schwalbe tyres are insanely fast. and do you feel them grippier than schwalbes? stiffer casing? thanks again

[@djsden6175]

javier you owned schwalbe for sure ahahahaha...you are defensive ahaha

[@SergioProdi]

To be honest. I found this video useless compared to your other videos. You didn’t test them or compare them. So there is no information other then what we could read from the tire or website.
Please ride in equal pairs and compare. Would be interested to see you compare full reckon race (front and rear) and compare to aspen. In most used 2.25 size.
I ride myself 2 aspen. But I never tried the reckon race. And I think they are faster on hardpacked. I think the aspen is more allround for xc races.