SEA OTTER CLASSIC 2010 – Maxxis unveiled their new DHf freeride tire alongside their new EXO casing technology to toughen up the sidewall for better rip and pinch flat protection.
The DHf takes their popular downhill tire, lightens it up and makes it ready for the freeride crowd. It weighs in at 830g and uses a single ply casing (versus double for DH models) and gets the EXO sidewall protection. It’s available both as a single compound 60 durometer version and a triple compound model. The triple gets a 70 duro base layer for solid rolling resistance, which creeps up into the base of the knobs, with 60 center knobs and super soft 50 side knobs. The higher the number, the firmer the rubber. The firmer the rubber, the more efficient it is, while softer rubber grips better but has slower rebound.
Pricing is $55 to $60. Check out the rest after the break for the EXO story and their new crazy light Aspen 29er tire…
The DHf’s tread pattern and sizing is the same as the downhill versions.
Here’s the official word. Basically, EXO is a woven layer that runs from the bead up the sidewall and about 15mm past the first knobs. It adds about 35g to 50g and $5 per tire, depending on size. It also adds stability at lower PSI and in hard cornering, not to mention more protection against sidewall cuts and rips in the really rough stuff.
Brian Holwell, Maxxis’ design and development engineer said that none of their test riders have flatted on them during the entire testing period. EXO comes standard on all 2.4 and wider tires, and narrower tires will have it as an option.
The Ardent merely shows the EXO branding on the side. What you should be looking at is the tire directly under the “T” in Ardent. That’s the Aspen, and it’s stupid light. The 26″ version weighs in at 475g (2.1) and the 29er version tips the scales at a paltry 530g (2.1 width). They’ve got a new 26×2.25 coming out late summer that’ll be just 530g with 120tpi (current 2.25 version is heavier and uses 60tpi casing). Both the 29er and the new 26×2.25 will have slightly taller side knobs.
