Maxxis Aspen long term review, Recon Race initial impressions

www.bicyclerol...

[@ferencvarju651]

I’m using a pair of Rekon Race tires on my XC hardtail. I feel they are grippier and a bit slower rolling than I expected just by looking at the tread pattern. I even use them in the wet sometimes, because I can’t be bothered to switch tires for every condition. They completely fail in sloppy mud, but that’s really far beyond their intended use. But in every other scenario, even on wet rocks and roots, they are fine if you ride them within reason. On dry terrain they really come into their own, they roll relatively fast (but not thunderburt/raceking fast) and inspire a lot of confidence in turns and offcamber terrain. Technical, rocky climbs and “modern XC” style, gnarly descents are no problem on these if you have a bit of technique to help yourself on sketchier bits. Wear rates are also not terrible imho, after 1000km, I see minimal signs of wear on the rear one, with no torn/lost knobs. I think I can easily do 1000 more on this set. I’d say try before you buy, personally I love their feel, would recommend them for XC or any casual mountain biking use. :)

[@addictcyclist]

Thank you for the detailed feedback!

[@topdopwoww]

Thank-you so much

[@zoubtube]

Aspen 2.4 front and 2.25 rear has proven to be the best all round tire combination for me on our South MI trails. If people feel they lose grip on them, then either you have to look into your suspension settings, or put more practice into cornering techniques. but, Most likely both of these will be the reason.

[@addictcyclist]

Ended up going Pirelli scorpion xc rc 2.4 and have not looked back! Fast rolling and incredible grip.

[@zoubtube]

@@addictcyclist where do you ride?

[@Stussy787]

Try an Aspen 2.4 on the front and a 2.25 on the rear for XC racing. I have been running this set up for 3 seasons now and it is my go to set up for Spring, summer into early autumn/fall for where I race.

[@addictcyclist]

Thanks for the tip! Testing the Pirelli scorpion xc rc tire today. Review soon.

[@hrodulf8]

Thanks for the video. I like the Rekon Race side knobs over the ones from the Aspen too. They're more aggressive XC/light trail duty style. Great in corners ! I am now on the 2.25 Rekon MaxxSpeed front and 2.25 Aspen rear. Still want to give the 2.4 Rekon Race a chance as well. What is your inner rim width please ? I am on 27mm, though I understand the 2.4 RR blows up pretty wide (over their advertised width). Cheers..

[@addictcyclist]

Thanks! I will be installing the Recon Race on the front and leaving Aspen on rear going forward. My rovals are 29mm internal diameter. 27 will be fine for 2.4.

[@wingtip76]

@@addictcyclist But Maxxis recommends the Recon race for use as a rear tire only...

[@Micarmn]

Awesome review. Do you have an update? I’m still trying to decide between the 2.4 rr or aspen

[@addictcyclist]

I’m still torn. If I had to choose it’s the Aspen. I swapped the team black to aspens and my yellow one in Florida has the RR. RR has more traction and little more effort to spin up and the Aspen is light spinning and little less traction. Winner is RR front and Aspen rear.

[@Micarmn]

@@addictcyclist thanks so much for the info. I’ll be running cc in both tires as well and low pressure so I hope that helps a little with traction.

[@addictcyclist]

@@Micarmn go Aspen if running a cc and keep around 16-18psi

[@mrkaufmanMTB]

good review!

[@laxplaysu91]

Aspen 2.4WTs make you feel ALIVE and are fast af. Will I crash cornering? Just have to find out 😂 I do run my aspens with inserts at like 16-17 psi. It definitely is all about feel and confidence.

[@addictcyclist]

Totally! Makes you feel like your alive and on the edge 😂 I ordered the new Pirelli scorpion xc rc prowall. Looks like a more beefed up tread and lighter than aspens

[@laxplaysu91]

@@addictcyclist dang that looks like a good tire. I'm also interested in the Vittoria Syerra 2.4s which look to be a really good "down country" tire. Will you be doing a review on the Pirellis?

[@addictcyclist]

@@laxplaysu91 I will be doing a review. Anxious to get them to try. Taller shoulder knobs and better transition knobs with a lower center tread than Aspen. Love aspens but they are over 10 year old pattern. Maxxis makes great tires and compounds

[@laxplaysu91]

@@addictcyclist I'm actually ordering a set of the Pirellis now after looking into them. They do look like better Aspens!

[@addictcyclist]

@@laxplaysu91 they have a nice 3 lug transition to the side knobs and a really low, tight center tread. And yet they are lighter!

[@grega9220]

A bit old but what would you think about Reokn race as a Rear and Rekon as a front tire?

[@addictcyclist]

Would grip well with that setup but I’ll tell you… I swapped to Pirelli scorpion x rc and never looking back!

[@topdopwoww]

​@@addictcyclistfront or back ?? Bro

[@DougsSantosP]

I'm working up the courage to use Aspen tires on the front hahaha What do you think of his grip on loose over hard terrain?

[@addictcyclist]

Tire pressure is key! This tire likes to get leaned over as well or will get some drift before side knobs catch. They always do. Loose over hard is a lot of what my local trails have. We all run aspens. You will know it’s limits. Just keep some weight on them into turns.

[@DougsSantosP]

@@addictcyclist Thanks for the tips! Maybe I'll try a combo with Ikon 2.2 in front and Aspen 2.25 back until I get up the courage haha

[@ferencvarju651]

@@DougsSantosP XC riders in my area actually do the opposite: Ikon out back for climbing traction and Aspen on front for cornering grip. They really trust the side knobs on their Aspens, more than those of the Ikons.

[@KazuyaST]

I have a trail bike. A fuel ex 5. Im thinking of changing my xr4 2.6 to an aspen 2.4 rear and rekon/dissector 2.4 front depending on availability. Do you think it would be a good combo for an allrounder trail bike? 😃😁

[@addictcyclist]

The Aspen might not be enough for diverse terrain. Honestly the Pirelli scorpion xc rc and the Pirelli scorpion M os a better tire and lighter then Maxxis. I swapped the aspens out.

[@KazuyaST]

@@addictcyclist do you think the nobby nics 2.4 front and back would be a better option for an all rounder?

[@addictcyclist]

@@KazuyaST front maybe but rear want something a little better rolling. Take a look at the Pirelli scorpion M for all around use

[@axt_messer_survival]

und da sind wir schon beim thema, wieviel traktion braucht jeder bei seinem fahrstil und gelände. ich fahr selbst auch ein trailbike (hardtail), der rollwiderstand bei den maxxis ist einfach scheisse. dazu kommt noch die breite der reifen und etwas gröbere trails. vergessen wird auch immer das 99% aller biker einen anfahrtsweg per bike erledigen und sich nicht shutteln lassen oder mit lift hochfahren, ganz zu schweigen von denen die auch touren fahren und somit uphill zu erledigen haben und dann recht knifflige trails downhill. der rollwiderstand ist viel entscheidender als er und per PR geschichten gesagt wird. wir leben in einer zeit wo alle ihren "sicherheitsgedanken" ausleben und grip über alles geht. sieht man sich die meisten videos an, von denen die permanent nach grip schreien, kommt man dahinter das es meistens um fahrerische defizite geht, sprich mangel an fahrkönnen. dies führt dazu das ein großer teil der biker immer schwerere reifen mit umengen grip benutzt die sie in wirklichkeit gar nicht brauchen, aber dafür ein rollwiderstand haben wie ein panzer. je weicherdie gummi mischung desto schlechter derrollwiderstand, da spielt das profil nur mehr eine untergeordnete rolle.

[@richcole3931]

Might just be my trails and riding style, but it's the tight cornering where the Aspen 2.4 version really outperforms. Rekon sketches me out.

[@addictcyclist]

I felt the opposite. I felt that the tire seemed to really hold traction and transition well. Are you on 2.4? I was on 2.25 aspen.

[@richcole3931]

​@@addictcyclist 2.4. Rekon Race is great as a rear tire though.

[@addictcyclist]

@@richcole3931 friends run the Aspen up front and RR out back.

[@XCRiders]

Aspen doesn’t load up and they are fast, I’ve got a new pair of rekon race I’ll give them a go come spring

[@addictcyclist]

@@XCRiders let me know your thoughts!

[@HenriqueWernerbr]

What about punctures issues? Some say it's a fragile tire. Does it handles some trails too?

[@addictcyclist]

My trail system isn’t too wild, never one puncture

[@tomek_9145]

Can a 2.4WT wide tire be mounted on a 23mm rim ?

[@addictcyclist]

It can be but would not recommend it. Sidewall won’t be as supported. It can be mounted. Also clearance is needed on the frame.

[@tomek_9145]

@@addictcyclist Thank you for the information. I think a better choice would be size 2.35 without WT. I'm thinking about Rekon Race

[@Planetone.]

My bike came w/ Aspen 2.4 I have them on those same wheels you have dam they are beefy, so I was thinking when I wear these new tires, I want to try Rekon race 2.35 front rear do you think they'll roll slightly slower w/ extra knobs?

[@addictcyclist]

The recon race do spin up a little slower. They don’t accelerate as fast as aspens. But I feel they hook better as well as transition to shoulder knobs better. Faster in corners to me. I’m all in for 2.4. Wish my epic could fit 2.4.

[@flouunixo]

Bro what's the difference between 2.25 and 2.125 tires?

[@IIISentorIII]

0.125

[@whitm8823]

How do the ikons compare?

[@addictcyclist]

Never tried! Not wide enough 😂

[@whitm8823]

Even in a 2.35?

[@addictcyclist]

@@whitm8823 I run 2.4 on a 29mm ID rim. I would go bigger if I could.

[@echoko264]

Is maxxis aspen good in roads?

[@addictcyclist]

Yes fast rolling but not for long road commute. Will wear fast

[@szolekxxx]

no

[@TheRickysee]

What about running one of each? I have the recon race on the back and the Aspen on the front both to buy two fives.

[@TheRickysee]

I didn’t realize the Aspen was considered a rear tire. Maybe I should switch them and see how that goes, I was really loving my continental rice kings, though I’m having a hard time, finding anything better than those, I just wanted to try something a little wider that weighed almost the same.

[@addictcyclist]

@@TheRickysee I swapped to Pirelli xc rc and never looking back!

[@edlorenz1552]

I never got along with any Maxxis tires. There Recon Race 2.4 WT is listed as around 820 grams. That is way too heavy for an XC Tire. For grip in the Midwest, I always go Racing Ray (680 grams in 2.23/ 745 grams in 2.35) in the front, but for speed you can't beat the Kenda's. I have found nothing faster than a Kenda Rush 2.4 (609 grams) / Booster Pro 2.4 (624 grams) / or Karma 2.4 (691 grams). By far the fastest tires for midwest dirt.

[@addictcyclist]

Never tried the Schwabe xc tires you mentioned. Only rocket ron and nobby nic. I also liked the Kenda Booster pro.

[@richcole3931]

Good enough for Nino... Racing Rays are okay for hardpack non-technical terrain. But the extra volume makes a massive difference on descents. So plush. I'll never go back to the Rays. No cornering grip due to stiff carcass and knobs. I'd be curious to try the Kendas.

[@edlorenz1552]

@@richcole3931 yep. Comparing what an Elite athlete uses to the average Joe always leads to good results. And by your response I'd say you've never ridden Rays. A 2.35 Ray has more volume than any notoriously narrow Maxxis tire and have way more conering grip than any tire mentioned here. Maybe try to not run 30 psi next time.

[@richcole3931]

@@edlorenz1552 We can disagree. But this comment does not dignify a response.

[@devincook3278]

My recon race is a 29x2.4 and it weights 670 grams. I run them front and rear when racing. If I'm not doing a race I run a regular Recon upfront and the Recon Race in the rear. I know the regular Recon is probably in the 800 gram range, though. Schwalbes seem to be great too. Haven't ran them in quite some time. Maxxis have been working for me. If it ain't broke don't fix it, right? Haha

[@gunn1ng]

I needed to wear sunglasses watching this. Maybe adjust your exposure.

[@MortgageguyJustin]

Or adjust your brightness

[@josericobaeza3270]

Buenas !!! Alguien que haya probado los specialiced fast track t7 2,35 , a ver qué tal responden en terrenos rotos y para uso mixto llanta 30mm gracias y saludos

[@josemariasanchez6913]

Hola yo las tengo. Son muy buenas. Antes tenia una racing Ralph. Pero para xc en terreno mojado resbalaba mucho. Me pasé a la fast track y en comparación lo primero que pensé es que la sentía lenta a la bici y me costó acostumbrarme. Pero a la larga te terminas enamorando. Es muy buen neumático. Muchísimo agarre o grip y en bajada da mucha seguridad