MTB Tire Test: Maxxis Aspen ST MaxxSpeed EXO/TR Team Spec

The Maxxis Aspen ST is a new tire from Maxxis with an even lower profile than the regular Aspen we have known for years. It is worth paying attention if you are interested in the Aspen ST because it is available in both a "regular" 120 TPI version and a limited edition 170 TPI "Team Spec" version that was previously only available to top pro cyclists and teams sponsored by Maxxis.

Because the new Aspen ST's 170 TPI casing is thinner than the 120 TPI version, the most noticeable difference is the weight. In the 29x2.25 size, the 170 TPI version is 60 grams lighter; in the 29x2.40 size, it's 65 grams lighter, which is a significant advantage. We also expect the rolling resistance to be lower, but to know exactly how much, we will need to test both versions of the Aspen ST.

The casing seems to be the only difference, and the 120 TPI and 170 TPI versions are otherwise the same in construction. Both versions also come with Maxxis's new MaxxSpeed compound introduced last year, which we are already familiar with from our tests of the Aspen MaxxSpeed (read our review) and Rekon Race MaxxSpeed (read our review). Both versions also come with Maxxis's well-known (EXO) sidewall protection, and both tires are tubeless-ready (TR).

We tested the 29x2.40 version of the Maxxis Aspen ST in the 170 TPI Team Spec edition and will compare it with the Aspen MaxxSpeed and Rekon Race MaxxSpeed we tested last year, as well as a selection of recently tested mountain bike tires.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Maxxis
Model	Aspen ST MaxxSpeed EXO/TR Team Spec
Year	2024
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	ETB00523700
TPI	170
Compound	MaxxSpeed
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	61-622
Size Inch	29"
Width Inch	2.40
Specified Weight	685 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	50
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	29x2.25 29x2.40

Maxxis Aspen ST MaxxSpeed EXO/TR Team Spec Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	685 grams
Measured Weight	699 grams
Measured Width Carcass	59 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	58 mm
Measured Height	57 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	1.4 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.9 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.5 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (40 ml sealant)
Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar	Members Only
Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar	Members Only
Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar	21.9 Watts CRR: 0.00656
Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar	25.6 Watts CRR: 0.00767
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	38 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.5 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	65 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	1.4 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.9 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 MTB grip test rim width = 30.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

The Aspen ST in the Team Spec edition is the fastest tire from Maxxis we have tested to date. However, looking at the competition, it is clear that faster mountain bike tires are available. If you want the absolute fastest mountain bike tires, there may be better choices than the Aspen ST with 170TPI Team Spec casing.

Overall, we saw good performance and could not find any significant shortcomings. It is also noteworthy that when we compare the 170 TPI Team Spec casing with the 120 TPI casings of the Aspen and Rekon Race, the puncture resistance of both the tread and the sidewalls is not inferior. Our sample may be on the heavy/thick side, which may have slightly influenced the test results.

It is a decent tire, but we expect the "regular" 120 TPI version to score similarly in our tests. The most significant advantage of the 170 TPI casing is likely the lower weight.

RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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