Twenty Nine Inches has just received their order of two Maxxis Ikon tires that we plan to test and review here on the site. These are tires that represent some of the newest technologies to be used for big wheeled models. Let’s take a look at what Maxxis has done here….
Here are some things Maxxis has to say about the Ikon 29″er version………..
“The Ikon is for true racers looking for a true lightweight race tire. With 3C Triple Compound Technology, high-volume casing and a fast rolling tread design, the Ikon provides exemplary performance in all riding conditions. As its name suggests, the Ikon represents all that is true in racing.”
-High-volume, lightweight true racing tire
-3C Triple Compound Technology
-eXCeption race specification
Maxxis offers the Ikon in two versions, both listed as 2.2 inches wide.
29X2.20 ( 57-622 ) Black TPI-120 FOLDABLE 580gm Compound-TRIPLE Max PSI- 65 Tech: eXC/3C/EXO
29X2.20 ( 57-622 ) Black TPI-120 FOLDABLE 520gm Compound-TRIPLE Max PSI- 65 Tech: eXC/3C
We’ll delve into more detail on the technology of these tires in our “Out Of The Box” posting. Look for that soon. Also, these tires will also be featured in our upcoming “Micro Knobbie Shoot-Out”, where we will pit several of the newest smaller knobbed treads against each other. In the meantime, check out Maxxis’ site on the Ikon tires here.
Note: Twenty Nine Inches purchased this pair of Ikon tires for testing/review. We are not being bribed, nor paid for this review, and we will strive to give our honest opinions throughout.
Sweet! I’ve had these on my bike for about 4 months now and love them- they’re actually more durable than I initially thought they would be given how delicate the casing feels, but i’ve swiped them against plenty of rocks and roots with no cuts (so far). Can’t wait to hear your take on them.
Also interested in your thoughts on these tires. The EXO version is definately worth the few extra grams for those who ride in places that are hard on sidewalls. IMO the pick of the WTB Nano, SB8 and Barro race that are the tires I have tried so far. Tread seems reasonably durable which is good given there isnt a lot of it……….
I will be interested how these compare to the Aspen. Aspen flies and grips far beyond what I expected. It’s my standard rear race tyre. Ikon has a lot to live up to.
how do they compare to racing ralphs / rocket rons? Those are two other light weight large volume tires.
I have had the Ikon EXO done up as Tubless on my Trek Paragon for a month now and have been very happy. The trails around Launceston Tasmania have been very wet but grip from the Ikons has been very good over logs and rocks and they just carve through the mud.Before that i had Rocket Rons on and they did not peform as well.
For 90% of my riding, I love the Ikons for SoCal’s sandy hardpack (Riverside area). They seem to have the perfect balance of speed, traction, and weight for speedy long distance XC/trail riding. I have them set up 26-29 psi front and 30-33psi rear on Flows with Stan’s, which mounts up nice and tight and pops once seated (front with a floor pump and rear with a compressor). My favorite lightweight XC tire by far.
I’ve seen much better off-camber performance, braking grip, and cornering performance in other tires, but the climbing traction, speed, and performance on ruts, deep sand, silty mud, and rocks is totally acceptable (surprising even) and after riding on it long enough, you learn to appreciate its cornering characteristics.
For more aggressive AM type riding, not really recommended. Those who brake hard and late and have a tendency to overcook tight/bumpy corners and enter rock gardens at the limit of their control will probably be disappointed. Also, those who have a tendency to slash tires will likely be losing money with these, as the casing is really thin.
They’re fairly expensive too, though not as expensive as Schwalbe, at a little over $50 a tire. I know it’s not wise to skimp on contact points, but it’s a bit of a shock to spend that much when you’re used to $15-40 a tire. My rear tire is getting a bit worn (6-7 months on them) and I decided to not cough up the dough to replace and I’m instead going try out a Panaracer CG XC instead (JensonUSA $40) and see if it can better handle my more aggressive riding as of late.
You should have ordered the EXO version.
I look forward to your report on the Ikon. I have been running the EXO version tubeless this season for XC and I like them very much. I am interested in your comparisons to the other tires you are reviewing.
I have had them for about two months now, and I am really disappointed in the size of them. Mine do not measure 2.2″ that is for sure. I have them mounted up on Sun Equalizer 27’s, and my Crossmark measures bigger than the IKON in all areas.
The weight is nice, but not a true 2.2 in my opinion.
Would like to see what you get with your tire measurements.
Any one run WTB nano’s? They have been my go to for racing for 4 seasons. Ready to try something new, how would you say they compare to the IKON?
Additionally, Specialized s-works Captain is the worst tire ever for side wall slashes in my experience any comparison on the casing of the IKON to the captain?
Thanks in advance of the in put
Interested to see the review. I live in a pretty decent area for getting a large variety of terrain. I wonder how these do in loose rock, gravely type situations. I would hate to spend the $50+ on the tires only to not have them perform well. But No. Nevada can chew a lot of things up. Had a good friend tell me that “square knob tires” do really well here. So far I am happy with my WTB Moto Raptors but will probably need something new at the end of the season.
I ran the Nanos for a while and switched to the Ikon EXO a few months back. IMO the Ikon has much better grip than the Nano which as marginal braking down a loose downhill. It seems to be more durable as well. The EXO casing is a must if you ride in rocky conditions. I cut two Nano, and SB8 and a Crossmark before getting these tires. I only had one flat through the tread when my Stans was dried out.
They do buzz more on pavement than some of the others I have tried. Mine came in at a smidge under 2.2 mounted tubeless on Crest rims. Maxxis does their tire measurements at higher PSI so I would call it a 2.2.
Overall a good dry XC race tire IMO (as it says on the description!), but like all tires of its type it sacrifices some grip for rolling resistance.
@wombat: While I respect how Maxxis measures their tires, and I do understand how their process would result in a “true to measure” tire, I have to respectfully point out that most riders are never going to go through that process to achieve the size as marked on the hot patch.
The reality is that most riders will mount the tire, set their desired pressure, (which in all likelihood, will be far lower than 60psi), and ride.
It would seem that your experiences bear this out. 😉
Fantastic tire. I’m using EXO variation here in the Front Range, due to terrain and overall abuse I put it through. Mounted tubeless with ease and is still going strong today. The best micro knob I’ve used, well worth the money.
Not totally 29’r related but this tire was on the bike ridden to the win at the BC bike race. http://singletrack.competitor.com/2011/07/photo-gallery/bc-bike-race-the-winning-rig-2_18471/attachment/3-tire-wheel