MTB tyres

Maxxis Ikon band

The Maxxis Ikon is a mountain bike tyre. The shop title only gives the name, so you need to check size and version on the product page.

What you get

Maxxis Ikon
Mountain bike tyre

Why choose the right MTB tyre?

On a mountain bike the tyre is your first suspension. A wide tyre at low pressure follows the terrain and keeps contact, so you can brake and steer with confidence. Common sizes run from 2.2 to 2.6 inches for cross-country and trail, and 2.4 to 2.8 inches for enduro and harder riding.

The tread decides how the bike behaves off-road. Low, closely spaced knobs roll fast on hard ground. Tall, widely spaced knobs dig into mud and loose sand. Shoulder knobs give grip when cornering. At the rear you usually want a faster-rolling pattern, at the front more grip.

The rubber compound is a trade-off between grip, speed and wear. Softer rubber sticks better to wet rock but wears quicker and rolls slower. The casing construction (light for racing, reinforced for enduro and e-bikes) decides how well the tyre withstands rim strikes and torn sidewalls.

Practically all MTB tyres are run tubeless. With sealant you can use low pressures without a tube pinching, and small leaks seal themselves. The front tyre usually runs a little softer than the rear.

What each type of MTB tyre is for

The pressure is a tubeless starting point for a rider of about 75 kg. Adjust it to the terrain and feel.

Type	Width	Pressure (approx.)	Rolling speed	Grip and toughness
Cross-country	2.2 to 2.4 in	1.3 to 1.7 bar	Very fast	Light, less protection
Trail	2.3 to 2.5 in	1.2 to 1.6 bar	Good	All-round, good balance
Enduro	2.4 to 2.6 in	1.1 to 1.5 bar	Average	Lots of grip, reinforced
Mud and soft ground	2.3 to 2.5 in	1.0 to 1.5 bar	Slow on hard ground	Tall knobs, bite deep

E-bikes and heavier riders need more pressure or a reinforced casing.

Choose it if

You want a Maxxis MTB tyre and already know the size you need
You want to compare the Ikon with other MTB tyres in the same size
You ride forest trails, singletrack or bike parks.
You want more grip in corners, downhill and on wet rock.

Choose something else if

You need a tyre for road or gravel: pick from the tyre categories for that use
You ride mostly on paved roads and cycle paths: a gravel or road tyre rolls much more easily.
Your bike only has room for a narrow tyre: check the maximum width.

How to choose and use an MTB tyre

Check the size
Read the size on your old tyre, for example 29 x 2.4. The rim diameter (27.5 or 29 inch) must match or it will not fit.
Choose front and rear separately
For more grip at the front and more speed at the back, combine two treads. Mind the rotation arrow on the sidewall.
Fit the tyre tubeless
Fit the tyre, add sealant and inflate hard until both beads pop into place. Spin the wheel afterwards to spread the sealant.
Set the pressure
Start from the table values and drop 0.1 bar at a time until the tyre just stops bottoming out. A digital gauge helps because such low pressures are hard to read.

Good to know

Size, width and version (folding or wire bead) are not in the title, so check them before you order
Make sure it fits your rim and frame clearance
Check the pressure often: low pressures lose air faster.
Watch wear on front and rear. Worn knobs lose grip, especially in corners.
An e-bike or heavier rider needs a reinforced casing against rim strikes.
Check that the tyre suits your rim width. A rim that is too wide or too narrow distorts the profile.

What you get

Why choose the right MTB tyre?

What each type of MTB tyre is for

Choose it if

Choose something else if

How to choose and use an MTB tyre

Check the size

Choose front and rear separately

Fit the tyre tubeless

Set the pressure

Good to know

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