CX/Gravel Tire Test: Maxxis Re-Fuse Gravel 40
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 30.1 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 98 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 62 Points
- Conclusion: 3.5 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Maxxis Re-Fuse Gravel 40
(100% is best)
The Maxxis Re-Fuse has been given this name because it refuses to puncture. The name makes it immediately clear what Maxxis has developed this tire for: preventing you from stranding somewhere with a flat tire. With a tire designed mainly to provide a very high puncture resistance, we do not expect a low rolling resistance. That doesn't have to be a problem as long as we know the trade-offs of this choice.
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The Re-Fuse consists of a 60 TPI tubeless-ready casing, dual-compound rubber, and a layer of MaxxShield anti-puncture material, which must ensure a very high puncture resistance. The tread is a virtually slick design with only a very light diamond-knurled pattern.
We already tested the Re-Fuse in the 25-622 size for the road bike section. This is a test of the 40-622 version which is made for gravel bikes.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Maxxis |
| Model | Re-Fuse Gravel |
| Year | 2020 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | TB95987000 |
| EAN | 4717784031019 |
| TPI | 60 |
| Compound | Dual |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 40-622 |
| Specified Weight | 520 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 60 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
32-622 (700x32) 40-622 (700x40) |
Maxxis Re-Fuse Gravel 40 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 520 grams |
| Measured Weight | 514 grams |
| Measured Width Casing | 37 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Width Tread | 37 mm |
| Measured Height | 35 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 0.3 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 0.3 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) | 3.70 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Inner Tube |
None (30 ml sealant) (current protocol) | Conti Cross28 (160 gr) (test protocol) |
| Measured Width | 37 mm | 37 mm |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar 39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 barHigh Air Pressure (54 psi / 3.7 bar) |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar 33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar 39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (45 psi / 3.1 bar) |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar 33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar 36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar 39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (36 psi / 2.6 bar) |
30.1 Watts CRR: 0.00902 | 33.9 Watts CRR: 0.01016 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar 36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar 39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 barExtra Low Air Pressure (27 psi / 1.9 bar) |
33.6 Watts CRR: 0.01007 | 38.6 Watts CRR: 0.01157 |
| The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load. |
||
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 98 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 19 |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 3.70 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 62 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 0.3 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 0.3 mm |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm |
|
| Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info) | |
Conclusion
- Maxxis Re-Fuse Gravel 40
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
The Maxxis Re-Fuse is by far the most puncture-resistant gravel bike tire you can find. Compared to the tires we tested so far, the Re-Fuse has almost twice the tread puncture resistance than the next tire. The puncture resistance of the side walls is a bit more in line with the rest, but certainly not bad.
As can be expected from such a puncture-resistant tire, rolling resistance is very high. Also, the grip on loose surfaces will not be great because the tire has a nearly slick, diamond-knurled tread pattern.
If your priority, however, is that you want to reduce your chance of a flat tire as much as possible, we consider that chance with the Maxxis Re-Fuse to be very small. Of course, for extra puncture resistance, mount them tubeless with sufficient sealant.
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RATING:
3.5
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended