Maxxis Shorty 3C Max Terra EXO 29 x 2.5in review
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Maxxis Shorty 3C Max Terra EXO 29 x 2.5in review

A top tyre that gets to grip with mud, wet or dry

Our rating

4.5

75.00
60.00

Our Media

Published: March 12, 2020 at 9:00 am

Our review
Good to roll even when the trails dry up

Pros:

Class-leading mud-shedding tread-pattern offers great grip in soft conditions; 2.5in version offers good comfort, rolling speed and it never feels vague in hardpack terrain

Cons:

EXO casing and Max Terra compound are light on damping, so this version doesn’t stick to the trail through pinball sections like heavier, stickier tyres

The Shorty excels in sticky mud thanks to its tall shoulder tread, which sticks out at almost 45 degrees. Shorter, well-spaced central blocks help it shed mud more effectively than almost any other tyre.

In conditions where other tyres clog up and stop gripping, the Shorty stays biting for longer. It digs into soft conditions (mud, loam, dust and soil) returning consistently impressive braking and cornering traction.

Despite the tall tread, it’s surprisingly fastest-rolling in this casing and compound, and thanks to the relatively short tread blocks it rarely feels vague or squirmy in dry, hardpack conditions.

Unlike the 2.35in version I’ve previously tested, the 2.5in is comfortable and compliant in rougher terrain, so it doesn’t need to be swapped out as soon as the trails dry out or harden up.

Having said that, the lightweight EXO casing lacks damping, so it rebounds off rocks noticeably more than heavier, better-damped tyres. That means it doesn’t stick to the trail through rocky sections as surefootedly.

Maxxis does make Double Down casing options, and Maxx Grip compounds are more appropriate for rocky terrain, but this EXO version is fantastic for mostly muddy tracks without sacrificing rolling speed.

How we tested

This tyre was tested as part of a grouptest. All tyres were tested back-to-back on the same tracks, keeping all other variables as consistent as possible to ensure our findings are as reliable and accurate as they can be.

Product

Brand maxxis
Price 60.00 GBP,75.00 USD
Weight 1028.0000, GRAM (29in) -

Features

br_TPI 60
Features Measured carcass width (25psi, 30mm rim): 2.32in
br_tyreSizes 26in, 27.5in, 29in