Maxxis Ikon EXO Tire 29"

I race in the northeast, where the conditions vary from race to race. I have them set up tubeless w Stans sealant on Crest rims. For fast rolling tires they hook up in most conditions and clear mud well. No burping issues so far. I had burping issues w some of the non exo maxxis I have run in the past. I am running these at 25psi I weigh 160. Usually w race tires I feel I am compromising, either on weight, protection or traction. I do not feel this way w these tires. Expensive, but worth it !

Long live the new king. This Maxxis Ikon, run tubeless, at 23-25 psi, has been an awesome rear tire, in varied Oregon trail conditions...better than the fairly new Crossmark it replaced (which was my prior best all-around 'racey tire'). This is one fast tire, and it finds very good traction in hardpack, loose over hardpack, sandy dirt, and rock. Very consistant cornering traction. The Ikon will find it's limits in wet, andor very low-traction conditions, just like any low-knob tire...so if traction trumps everything else for you, consider other options. Speed, really fine traction, and consistency, sum up the Ikon. Mine was bang-on spec, at 578 grams. The super-light (and more fragile) Maxxis Aspen was lighter at 525 grams, but with less traction and very thin sidewalls.

Also, it seems to wear quite well, and it sets up flawlessly on Stan's rims, using only a floor pump. My Nanoraptor, Crossmark, Fastrak, and Aspen tires will probably stay on the hook. When my front Racing Ralph fails, I'll likely buy an Ikon to replace it.

The traction this tire puts out never ceases to surprise me. I don't expect it to do much, but this has to have the best tractionweightspeed ratio in a tire I've ever ridden, just over Racing Ralphs. Often much cheaper than RaRa on top of that too! It's controlled under hard braking, controlled through off camber corners, holds a line decently well on straight off cambers, and finds a lot of traction on gravely climbs. A little moistness and mud doesn't affect it at all either, can ride it through sticky or greasy sludge as well! Lots of volume and can be set up tubeless relatively reliably. A true top tier tire, nothing else compares except the RaRa, which is far more expensive. These can last well over 1200 miles. Best one tire I've ever used for training, general trail riding, and racing.

I have only swapped it out when hitting big mountain trails, where rocks that can slash it are in abundance and the loose stuff is much deeper than the shallow knob height can handle.

Beware that there are other cheaper version. The 29x2.2 with 3C (triple compound) and the 120tpi EXC casing and EXO sidewall protection is the version that gave it its legendary reputation. There's a 3C EXC (no EXO) version and there's an even cheaper version that doesn't have 3C, EXC casing, nor EXO that may leave you disappointed and puzzled by why the tire is so highly praised.

Expensive but worth the money. I have a Gary Fisher HiFi Pro 9 and did not like the Bontranger tires that came as standard. The Maxxis Ikon EXO Tire gives better roll on paved surfaces plus better grip on loose surfaces. I ride mainly dirt roads so cannot comment on grip through mud.

I fitted tubes even though they can be used tubeless. They were easy to fit on the rims but did need some lubrication. They are grooved for directionality but the marking for this is not clear.

I have them on the rear of both my full suspension 29er and hard tail 29er. Sandy and wet they hook up well . Next will try as a front tire .

Though slightly heavier than a pure XC race tire, the Ikon EXO has the durability to race and train on worry free.