Maxxis Shorty 29 2.30 EXO C3 MaxxTerra Long-Term review

Driveside view

The Good:

• Good cornering grip

• clears mud well as well as hook up on big roots better than High Roller 2 for example

The Bad:

• Very slow rolling, High Roller 2 rolls much faster, but Michelin Wild Enduro rolls even faster despite the weight, but has great mud clearance and more supportive side knobs and transitions better.
• The side knobs are not as supportive as Michelin Wild Enduro tyres, the side knobs squirm, flex too much, used 23mm inner width Hope Tech Enduro rims, the Maxxis High Roller 2 & Shorty C3 EXO Maxx Terra 2.30 were not as supportive, as I wanted, at extreme turning angles , like during a track stand the side knobs flexed, also the they did not transition as well as I would liked to, but switching to the much more supportive Michelin Wild Enduro 2.0 Front & rear specific setup, Michelin Wild Enduro Front 2.4 Gum-X-2, Michelin Wild Enduro Rear 2.4 Magi-X-3, it made a huge difference, the side knobs were much more supportive, big with wide spacing resulting in great mud clearance, the mid knobs were closer together resulting in faster rolling, despite the tyres being much heavier, but the turning characteristics, were worth it. The front end and steering felt how it should. Michelin Wild Enduro made track stands much easier. and they are a better allrounder, so I decided to use these, instead of swapping between a mud tyre and a fast rolling tyre, the bigger distance on mid knobs were really just useful on big wet roots, but High Roller 2 was not the best at that, Shorty was better for that, but with some wet roots it’s hopeless no matter the tyres.

I used these tyres on my 2014 Fuel ex which I sold and then on Geometron G1,

I had the same issues with the bead as on High Roller 2.

as you can see the bead is fine, but the tyre is warped.

I have deflated the tyre once and added 60 psi, let it be for a while before reducing to normal pressure and rode it, one day the issue came back, then it got better while riding and came back again.

You can see some of the tyre pops up to when laying down some point down, but a new tyre won’t do this.

I see the other tyres looked similar to the tyre shown here, apart from one tyre that is new.

the tyres looked round and not out of shape, wit some short term sue they still looked as good, but with long term they did not.

but I will use those tyres too and test it further, see if I will get same issue as with these tyres.

Maxxis High Roller 2 EXO C3 MaxxTerra 29er 2.30 Long-Term Review

The Good:

• Good cornering grip, does not slide out when leaning bike in a fast dirt downhill corner, which i what Bontrager SE4 Team Issue suffered from. High Roller 2 is also slower turning, which is a good thing. but both transition well.
• Quite easy to install, not as easy as Michelin Wild enduro, but ok

The Bad:

• The tyres wear out in 4-6 months, if I ride a lot, the tyres warp and the bead can fail.

So this means you have to watch out for the bead, if you see wear in the bead replace the tyre immediately.

• Don’t roll as well as some other options, but rolls much faster than Shorty, but not as fast as Michelin Wild enduro which rolls well despite the weight, but it has closer thread.

• The side knobs are not as supportive as Michelin Wild Enduro tyres, the side knobs squirm, flex too much, used 23mm inner width Hope Tech Enduro rims, the Maxxis High Roller 2 & Shorty C3 EXO Maxx Terra 2.30 were not as supportive, as I wanted, at extreme turning angles , like during a track stand the side knobs flexed, also the they did not transition as well as I would liked to, but switching to the much more supportive Michelin Wild Enduro 2.0 Front & rear specific setup, Michelin Wild Enduro Front 2.4 Gum-X-2, Michelin Wild Enduro Rear 2.4 Magi-X-3, it made a huge difference, the side knobs were much more supportive, big with wide spacing resulting in great mud clearance, the mid knobs were closer together resulting in faster rolling, despite the tyres being much heavier, but the turning characteristics, were worth it. The front end and steering felt how it should. Michelin Wild Enduro made track stands much easier. and they are a better allrounder, so I decided to use these, instead of swapping between a mud tyre and a fast rolling tyre, the bigger distance on mid knobs were really just useful on big wet roots, but High Roller 2 was not the best at that, Shorty was better for that, but with some wet roots it’s hopeless no matter the tyres.

I used these tyres on my 2014 Fuel ex which I sold and then on Geometron G1,

I have used I have been using these for years, and worn out several of these tyres.

The narrower spacing and sloped knobs make this tyre roll well no matter the surface.

The good spacing on the side knobs and the rubber compound keeps it grip well in corners, on gravel, dusty, dirt, works great, great tyre for midsummer riding, when you don’t need the sharper knobs and wider spacing to grab on to wet roots and ride clear mud, but this tyre can handle some mud.

The tyre grips well in corners, good transition from the middle when going straight to turning, good on loose surface, gravel dirt, fast rolling, even on asphalt, unlike Shorty which will have significantly more drag, and be slower to ride, great grip in the dry and hard packed but decent in some mud too, but it’s won’t let you climb on steep terrain with wet roots, the spacing is not wide enough, the knobs are not sharp and tall enough.

For some reason some of the tyres came this thing.

The Experiment

Just as an experiment I tried to install a tyre with with worn out bead, which as I suspected it exploded, but here is the proof, don’t install tyres with the nylon showing from the bead. the bead was ruined after 40psi, it exploded

10.12.2016 Updated Review: 2015 Bontrager SE4 Team Issue 29×2.3

After few weeks of use of the XR3 Expert tyres, so I need new tyres so I purchased all the se4 tyres in stock. I did not abuse the tyres, I rode singletrack & some stairs.I do not mind the weight of these tyres because of the durability.

After using the 2015 Bontrager SE4 Team Issue 29×2.3 for the 2015 season, I tried Maxxis High roller 2 3C Maxx Terra EXO TR  2.3  the 2016 season, which are much better tyres in my opinion, so I needed to update you on this.

Pros

• durable
• No twisting when running 25 psi.
• the excellent pattern gives you good grip
• I did not notice any difference in rolling resistance from the Xr3 expert to the Se4 team issue
• puncture resistant. I don’t know if I was lucky or this is very puncture resistant, but I never got a puncture no matter how hard I rode, which is partly good luck at the time, but these tyres won puncture by trail use. even if I rode on broken glass.( of course I if you  ride on a big and sharp thing you will puncture every tyre) Takes rock gardens pretty well, no cuts yet. But I don’t have any many sharp rocks where I lived at the time of the review.
• fast rolling & cornering, Compared to Maxxis High Roller 2 23.3 Se4 corners better on asphalt. it’s the thread pattern & hardness of the tyre which does it.(but for grip Maxxis HighRoller 2 2.3 wins.)

As you can see the side knobs are pretty close, I think that’s why this tyre corners so fast.

these tyres are easy to put on and off the Bontrager Duster 29e rims

Cons:

• heavy at 1010 grams for one tyre its quite heavy, but the higher weight is unavoidable with thicker & stronger tyres.
• The Se4 tyre washes out on hard packed dirt or loose dirt, The tyre does not compress and form to the surface enough. I had these tyres on my spare bike, but I swapped wheels from my spare bike over from my main bike and taken a ride the local trails with the Bontrager Se4 tyres the rear i crashed which I have never done on the trusty Maxxis High Roller 2 3C Maxx Terra EXO TR  2.3.

Ignore the sounds I made, just tested the mic.

Verdict

I can’t recommend these tyres because I have tried Maxxis HighRoller 2 3C ‘s

I have not had any issues when riding on the pavement or asphalt road.

Not so good on common variable trail conditions. I recommend getting a tyre with better cornering grip, and stickier rubber for better grip, I now use Maxxis HighRoller 2’s and I have never looked back.

Maxxis HighRoller 2 is as durable and got a much softer compound.

For me the Maxxis HighRoller 2, offer a better package, even it does not turn as fast, but for me it’s better compromise, the result is an excellent overall experience.

I use Maxxis Minion 2.3 on my trek 6300 26er bikes, and they roll fast in corners, but they don’t slide/wash out on you when riding fast in corners, so for more technical trails I recommend Maxxis High Roller 2 2.3 or 2.4

for xc gravel, or not too rooty trails, for xc, gravel and asphalt Minion’s are better

VItal MTB review

Photo Album

4 weeks review: 2014 Bontrager XR3 Expert 2.30 tyres

Here are pic of barely used tyres

They came stock on my 2014 Trek fuel ex 7 29er.

The rear tyre worn out(1 mm knobs and I changed them out) after about 4 weeks of normal trail riding & commute. (I did not do any skidding)

the sticky and soft rubber gives good with the knob pattern gives good grip,but the durability is awful,unless you want to use it for races,but for everyday use,these tyres are not durable enough.

I upgraded to Bontrager SE4 Team Issue

they lasted the rest of the season + some more weeks.

With these tyres you actually need to follow the pressure recommendations.

Pros:

• good grip

Cons:

• Awful durability, I upgraded to Se team issue tyres,but currently(2016) run Maxxis High Roller 2,they have better grip, and don’t wear out as fast as the XR3 Expert.

• the tyre is squirm at lower pressures. So you can’t use lower pressure than 30 psi I’m somewhere between 170 and 180 Kg  and I need to keep the pressure at 40 psi,30 psi still makes the a unstable steering.
  
• the grip is not as good as on Maxxis’s 3C Maxx Terra Compound.
  

Conclusion: NOT Recommended.

Awful durability

These tyres are waste of money.

Long term REVIEW: 2015 Bontrager xr1 team issue 26×2.20

I used these tyres more than 5 months. I have done some mountain-biking with these tyres,but since I now use a full suspension-bike i have not recently done any MTB with this tyres. But I have done a lot of commuting.

Pros:

• Excellent cornering grip. the side knobs provide good grip when turning,the closer pattern middle knobs gives you the fast rolling.
• fast rolling well gripping tyre for asphalt and hard-pact trails.
• very easy to put on off the rim,no tyre lever needed.
• low weight
• does pretty well on wet asphalt too,not like the LT 3 that gave no grip on asphalt

Cons:

• I am between 70 and 80 kg and I need to run minimum 40 psi or I will puncture on riding stairs or  of side walks.
• punctures easily on glass,this is cause by how thin the tyre is, it’s a about 3 mm I think.
• bit too loose when putting them on the rim.

 

1 rear tyre got a puncture lost all air,other rear tyre on a other bike exploded in the bike shop, with a loud bang, the hole was pretty big like some one  stabbed the tyre with a knife.and this was with just normal commute riding to stores,but i got them replaced i the store, and  the 6300 bike now got these tyres both on rear and front and they are holding up well as long as i run 40 psi on the rear.2 tyres failed with normal commute use,fut that was probably faulty tyres,

I have used the Bontrager xr1 team issue for a long time, without any issues.

 

Conclusion:

Recommended

Good tyre,not too expensive.

Good lightweight tyre,fast rolling excellent tyre not matter if you use it for commuting or riding on trails

price $69.99