No complaints, wet, dry, good all around front trail use tire. Opting to retain the mixed-wheel platform with a 150mm, Lauf Cycling, Icelandic manufacturers of the iconic leaf-spring fork, as well as carbon road and gravel bikes, has now moved all its bike assembly activity, 3D printing has had a place in the bike industry for many years now. I've ridden through some nasty rock gardens and roots with these and have had zero issues. Skatey at first. Its a blocky tread that reminds us vaguely of the pattern found on Schwalbes Hans Dampf that cant be a bad thing and was developed with input from freeride guru Richie Schley. AUD The center tread looks like a slimmed-down version of the High Roller II and the side knobs mimic the Minion, creating a lot of control you wouldn't expect from an XC tire. I have run the forecaster in front, but only as an XC tire for xc marathon races. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. When that tire loses cornering traction, it loses it right away and does not hook back up easily. The 2 by 2 tread is also relatively squared off, which works to increase traction between your tire and the terrain. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Bontrager have really hit the mark with the XR4 tyres for all round aggressive trail use. While the Maxxis DHRII comes in a vast array of widths, casings and rubber options, the only ones to look at here are the 2.3 and 2.4 widths with EXO protection. I know Geoff Kabush will often run this tire up front for more alternative XC races where the soil might be loose and soft like in the Downieville Classic, or wet slippery and unpredictable like the BC Bike Race. Dual compound or 3C MaxxTerra options EXO sidewall protection Tubeless Ready (TR) Bicycle technology Category: XC, Trail Maxxis' Ardent 2.4 is, in my opinion, the most underrated tire on the market. While it may no longer be marketed as a wet conditions specific tire, the new Forekaster is still designed to shed mud well, with raised edges on the casing. The Ardent Race sees the same tread pattern as its Trail- and Enduro-oriented siblings, but has had a few millimeters snipped off the tread height all around. The number of options is a bit crazy to list as well, from different compounds, casing options, and widths, as well as the option to go non-tubeless. I have the 2.4 Ardent on the front of my Yeti SB5 and Intense Primer. I will join in on the I don't like Ardent camp. Not to be confused with Maxxis Wide Trail tires that are designed around a 30-35mm rim. That doesnt make the Ardent a worse tire, it just means that if you tend to ride loose terrain, are a particularly aggressive rider, or like coming into a corner just a little too hot, you may want to consider a tire that specializes in your riding style and conditions. I think I found a better combo here for the mid travel trail bike and longer rides. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I upgraded to a 2.25 Rekon up front. However, a tire like the Ardent thats less specialized and more of a generalist on the trail is also going to fall short of more specialized tires in their performance specialties. Fishing 7.75K subscribers Subscribe 13K views 3 years ago Did a quick review of why I like this setup! Great for XC trails and with a new tread and tire profile every few seasons, theyve cornered the market on creating a durable line of high-performance for price mountain bike tires. When it came time to put together a tough and light wheel/tire combo I looked at Conti, Speci, and Schwalbe but ultimately returned to Maxxis. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Loving this combo at the moment. With more intermediate knobs than the Ardent tire, the Ardent Race looks more like an aggressive Ikon tire. I very much like my Forekaster front tire. Contrary to what another poster said, I wouldn't cheap out on tires. The two tires have a similar width, with only .05 inch different (the Forekaster is the narrower of the two). Then again, what I know about XC tyres aint a lot. This allows the center of the tire to roll fast providing just enough traction when climbing and braking but not comprising any speed. The harder-wearing PaceStar compound is recommended for the rear or youll be shelling out for new rubber very quickly. This is a comparison of the Ardent versus some other fast rolling tires, albeit all in a narrower width as this comparison was for XC oriented tires: There was an interview of a Maxxis marketing guy on NSMB, he openly stated that he doesn't like the Ardent at all and there are better options from maxxis that do the same job better (Recon). Stable sidewalls. Still, its always good to chat rubber init. Loose or wet conditions tire; Intended for "aggressive XC" use; 27.5-inch x 2.2, 2.35, and 2.6-inch WT sizes; . You must be logged in to reply to this topic. In fact, the Forekaster is going right back on (as a rear) for the summer. - Forekaster - In my opinion Maxxis best all around Trail tire. It measures 2.35 at the nobs and 2.3 at the casing on a 26mm internal width rim. The Ardent has been part of the Maxxis lineup for years. Wish manufacturers would target 25lb bikes instead of 30-35 lb for DC/Trail bikes. Overall Conclusion When it comes to deciding on tires, the order of importance for me personally is grip, durability, then rolling resistance. Review | Dynaplug tubeless repair tools continue to set the gold standard, Continental Tyre Review | Argotal, Kryptotal & Xynotal Tyres, Trek Fuel EX 2023 Review | A bigger, musclier & hugely adaptable trail bike, Specialized Stumpjumper Mullet Review | The Stumpy gets a bigger fork & mixed wheels, This website requires Javascript for optimum viewing purposes. They seemed like a decent tyre for my needs, especially for the weight but I miss the 3C compound on my newer pair. I switched that out to a 2.35 Forekaster and it has been on there ever since. Especially mounted as a read tire, the Ardent is just a touch drifty, especially if you like to corner hot, but not so much that youre likely to lose control of the tire, much less the bike as a whole. Contact UsPrivacyForum RulesClassifieds RulesLink RemovalNewsletter SettingsAdvertising. I have a buddy that runs the Forkaster front & rear on his Primer raves about them. I ride 2.6 front & 2.35 rear while he rides 2.2s. Staff Rides: Mike Kazimer's Coil Shock Trek Fuel EX, First Ride: The New GT Sensor Loses Weight, Gains Travel, Review: TruTune Suspension Inserts Unlock More Travel, Bike Check: Nino Schurter's Custom 10-Time World Champion Scott Spark RC. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Niner Jet 9 RDO, Scalpel 29, XTC 650b, 04 Stumpjumper FSR Pro, Trek Rigid SS - No suspension, no gears.no problem, Stache 29+ - More cushin' for the pushin', This, I Hate the Ardent. MTB Parts & Accessories (Ep. GBP The ardent race and icon if mostly hardpack trails. The Ikon excels in dry conditions with its 3C compound options and the small siping on each knob across the tire. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Thanks. Was hoping it would be closer to 850g but still very keen to give them a go! Support Us | The lightweight design and ramped knobs make this one of the faster models of tire designed for mountain trails. Frankly, I'm too scared (read: lack the skill) to ride those. As an all-weather, all-rounder, we rate the Ardents very highly. However, the tires are again similar in that they tend to have less grip and slip a little more on very loose terrain types. The Minion is a significantly heavier tire than the Ardent, but with that said, there are some definite advantages to the Minion if youre an especially aggressive rider, or if you tend to ride very rocky trails or trails with loosely packed dirt. But it felt a lot better underfoot than I would've expected for such a lightweight tire. The Aspen also clears mud very well and while it might not have the overall height of some mud tires, the spaced-out tread allows more clearing when the dirt gets thick. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines. The tyres in the shot above were installed at the same time, and you can see how pronounced the rear wear is. Both of these tires have a carbon fiber bead and can be ordered with EXO protection for more durable sidewalls. Impetus - Interesting you would say that about liking the Rekon more for a rear. DHRII front with Ikon, Ardent, Ardent Race, Rekon or Ikon in the rear in a smaller size, Padded / Protective Short Liners / Chamois, The Best XC / Trail Tires by Maxxis - Light & Fast (Proven to Make You Faster) [Video], Drilling Holes To Avoid Headset Cable Routing, Brake Pad Compounds & Tons Of New MTB Products Ep. Looks like Ill be looking towards their more XC-orientated models next time, which is a shame as I like the larger side knobles than is typical for a light tyre. About Us | For trail riders who don't want to lug around heavy enduro tires but still want plenty of traction, the new Forekaster gets itright. Overall the Maxxis Ardent is still a solid choice of tire, reasonably affordable for its performance, and offering very low roll resistance and good longevity. Maxxis's latest all-mountain/enduro category offering, the Aggressor, features dual-compound rubber and tubeless-ready construction, measures 2.3 inches wide (for 26, 650b and 29-inch wheels) and is offered in both the EXO and DoubleDown reinforced casings. When an Aspen isnt enough tire but a Minion is too much, choose the new Maxxis Forekaster. Schwalbes have good grip and weight but tend to suck for durability and price. They are available in a 2.4 as well, but not in Australia at present. Thanks Matt. Off to buy one before they are out of stock! Yeah, dissector, ardent, ardent race, high roller, are already in between minion and Aspen. Theres a huuuuuge gap between an Aspen and a Minion; you can probably fit 3 tyres in that gap.and Id say Maxxis already has! I have since gone to a 2.4 bontrager xr4 as a front tire over the forekaster. Maybe this new version will fare better? Rekon 2.6 up front and Rekon 2.4 rear. Grippy compound. I prefer the forkasters if damp or loose. Needless to say, I was more than interested in putting the Rekon of the same 2.6 width to the test. Both are also tubeless-ready, or TR, so you have the additional option depending on how youd prefer to ride. Strengths: Meaty, moto-style tread digs into loose surfaces. Do they make the Ground Control with a Gravity casing? Maxxis Ardent is one of the biggest names for mountain bike tires right now. A nippy tyre for modest trail bikes. Ive found myself in some sketchy situations when its slipped out on me in flat turns. Apparently its now a tyre for short-travel trail bikes AKA downcountry bikes. We noticed this most on hardpack or sand, while in loose conditions it didnt seem to affect the tyre greatly. The XR4s actually surprised us with their durability and resilience considering the irreverent treatment we gave them. Calling it a "Goldilocks" tire, Maxxis envisions the new Forekaster as the ideal step between their current XC options and more aggressive trail and enduro tires. Fast rolling, slidey in the corners, slippy on the rocks. It also happens to be pretty light for the amount of traction it provides, which I don't think anyone will complain about. Looking for some rubber with bite? Its also available in a 2.4 which wed consider as a great front tyre option for looser or sandier conditions; 2.25 out back, 2.4 up front = aggressive trail riding perfection. Maybe a rear tire too. Same situation here, switched from a 2.6 Rekon to a 2.6 Forekaster up front for basically the same reason. Currently running a Forekaster up front on a bike and its been great. As with the other classic Maxxis tires, the Ardent is available in a huge range of sizes, casings and rubber options, so I will list our more common combinations and sizes that we see.
