Maxxis Rekon 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ review

As well as this ‘standard’ do-it-all trail and downcountry model, Maxxis offers various Rekon versions, including ‘Race’ and oversized ‘Plus’ models.

Available in the tougher EXO casing Maxis improved massively this year, it’s one of a few faster-rolling cross-country-treaded tyres up to the job of handling pointier rocks and roots (Teravail also offers more durable models, but with a bigger weight penalty).

Maxxis Rekon 3C Maxx Terra EXO specifications and details

Essentially a burlier Ikon XC tyre, the Rekon has increased edge-block height for more cornering bite.

With its low-profile tread, the Rekon's knob size overall is not very tall. There’s a miniature feel to both block surface area and depth, compared to something such as the Vittoria Syerra 4C or Specialized Purgatory, with taller central paddles. Those other two tyres are both more effective at scrubbing speed or cutting into wet dirt.

Maxxis’ re-engineered EXO casing comes with bold claims of 50 per cent more puncture resistance and being up to 20 per cent less vulnerable to snakebite damage than the previous generation.

This places it closer to the brand’s thicker (enduro-targeting) DoubleDown casing than previously, but with only a 5 per cent weight increase.

Maxxis achieved this by doubling casing fibre thickness from 120 threads per inch to 60 TPI instead of adding a reinforcing SilkShield nylon breaker layer inside.

The ‘EXO’ part remains. It refers to a sidewall protection strip extending from bead to shoulder blocks to add support and protection in the zone where no tread blocks cushion and shield the casing.

In addition, new EXO adds a further butyl bumper around the bead that blunts and resists snakebite damage if the tyre gets compressed into the rim wall in a heavy impact. This final part is crucial to resist damage close to the bead, where tyre plugs are difficult to push in and often wriggle free when riding.

Maxxis Rekon 3C Maxx Terra EXO performance

With the new EXO casing so much tougher than previously (and for no significant weight penalty), the operating range of the Rekon becomes much wider. I've even had these tyres on a 25kg electric bike recently and they managed to remain puncture-free during testing, which wouldn’t have been likely on older EXO models.

Alongside the durability and plenty of pure speed, one of the best Rekon attributes (especially in the fatter 2.6in size that makes a lot of sense on the back of a hardtail mountain bike) is comfort and isolation from vibration and body-buzzing trail chatter. It does a better job than most rivals of dulling feedback.

On eroded trail centre surfaces, bridleways and rough roads in the countryside, there’s more cushioning from the casing and tiny tread blocks than you’d expect, for a composed, damped feel that never sees the tyre bounce all over the place, even when pumped up reasonably firm to resist twisting.

Another top asset is Maxxis’ proven 3C Maxx Terra compound being very predictable and sure-footed on greasy surfaces, so there’s no drastic movement or sudden firing off the type of pointy, angled surfaces that can feel incredibly sketchy on some rivals.

Even in the wider 2.6in version, the rounded shape doesn’t feel too floaty or vague, but one thing the bigger version amplifies is the Rekon’s biggest weakness.

The diminutive treads struggle to penetrate into loose or muddy surfaces, meaning it’s not the best in wet conditions.

Maxxis Rekon 3C Maxx Terra EXO bottom line

Maxxis’ Rekon is a fast-rolling tyre that delivers bags of comfort and grip, while doing a stellar job of isolating you from trail chatter.

The re-modelled EXO+ casing is reliably durable and puncture-resistant, too, making the Rekon a hugely attractive option, albeit one that's not a class-leader in wet mud.