MTB Tire Test: Maxxis Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed TLR
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 27.0 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 22 Points
- Static Wet Grip: No Data
- Conclusion: 2.0 / 5 Not Recommended
- Comments
The Maxxis Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed Tubeless Ready 29 x 2.2 mountain bike tire is the fastest Ikon available from Maxxis. After the disappointing performance of the Maxxis Ikon Exception Silkworm on our test, I'm testing another Ikon to give Maxxis a fair chance against the other brands. This version has the 120 TPI casing and a triple compound MaxxSpeed rubber compound with no extra puncture resistance. It is Tubeless Ready rated, so it should not be a problem to get it set up tubeless with sealant.
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My first impression is that the 3C MaxxSpeed feels a lot more subtle when compared to the Ikon Exception. When compared side by side, they look identical but the 3C MaxxSpeed clearly has a different rubber compound, it seems soft and sticky. Unlike the Ikon Exception, this tire did have matching packaging. It is made in Taiwan as well.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Maxxis |
| Model | Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed TLR |
| Year | 2014 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | TB96740000 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | 3C MaxxSpeed |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 57-622 |
| Size Inch | 29" |
| Width Inch | 2.20 |
| Specified Weight | 590 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 60 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
29x2.35 29x2.20 29x2.00 26x2.20 26x2.00 |
Maxxis Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed TLR Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 590 grams |
| Measured Weight | 581 grams |
| Measured Width Carcass | 53 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Width Tread | 51 mm |
| Measured Height | 54 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.3 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 3.8 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) | 1.7 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. | |
The measured weight of this Ikon is 581 grams, this is 9 grams less than the advertised weight of 590 grams. Measured width of the tread on a 17C rim at 35 psi is 51 mm. The carcass is a bit wider and measures 53 mm wide. Height of the tire is 54 mm. These measurements seem to be typical for 2.2/2.25 sized mountain bikes tires.
Height of the center knobs is 2.5 mm. The knobs at the edge of the tire have a height of 3.8 mm. These measurements are typical for an all-round cross-country mountain bike tire.
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Inner Tube |
None (40 ml sealant) (current protocol) | Conti MTB 29 (225 gr butyl) (test protocol) |
| Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar |
24.1 Watts CRR: 0.00722 | 27.6 Watts CRR: 0.00827 |
| Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar |
27.0 Watts CRR: 0.00809 | 31.5 Watts CRR: 0.00944 |
| 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. |
||
Rolling resistance at an air pressure of 25 psi is 31.5 watts. Compared to the Ikon Exception Silkworm, the Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed has on average a 7 watts lower rolling resistance at the same air pressure. Still, rolling resistance is quite a bit higher when compared to a Racing Ralph, which has a rolling resistance of 23.9 watts at the same air pressure and also has a comparable knob height. This means you loose 7.5 watts of power, per tire, with the Ikon 3C.
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 22 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 6 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 1.7 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
While rolling resistance is lower than the Ikon Exception Silkworm, puncture resistance is 15 % lower as well (6 points vs 7 points for the Ikon Exception). Comparable tires from other brands that have a much lower rolling resistance are able to perform much better in the puncture test as well.
Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | No Data |
| Wet Grip Center | No Data |
| Wet Grip Edge | No Data |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.3 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 3.8 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
Auch! This is the most expensive tire I've tested yet, but it seems Maxxis really can't compete with their mountain bike tires when only testing rolling resistance and puncture resistance. I've never used any Maxxis tires on my bikes before so I can't comment on grip and wear.
While Rolling resistance is lower when compared to the Ikon Exception Silkworm, the Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed still can't compete on rolling resistance, when compared to mountain bike tires from other vendors. It's price is also too high, at least in Europe, these cost more than tires from most other brands. You would expect a high-tech tire for the money.
Ad Buy Maxxis Ikon 3C MaxxSpeed TLR at Amazon.com
RATING:
2.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Not Recommended