Maxxis Advantage 26 x 2.10 Tire. Alison Dunlap designed the ADvantage as a high volume aggressive cross country tire that corners great on big side-knobs. It also climbs and brakes with authority thanks to the opposing parallelogram center tread design. R
Strengths: Corners well (front tire) and is light enough for its size
Weaknesses: None: it was given to me. :)
Bottom Line:
I've been using the 2.25 tubeless as a front tire in the SF Bay area for a few months. I can't comment on how strong the tire is, but I really like it in hardpack, loose over hardpack. The tire rolls fast enough and inspires confidence on the DH. It has plenty of grip to not worry about the tire slipping. Rear tire is a Spesh Captain.
Although I did not pay for it, price is on par with others.
Weaknesses: Tread pattern works best as a rear tire.
Bottom Line:
I've swapped these out a couple times for 'lighter' tires but keep coming back to these heavy duty meats on the front as they are very confidence inspiring when going off drops or blasting through the rough stuff. The high volume gives a cushiony ride and removes the fear of pinch-flatting in rock gardens. Been riding on them for half a year now and they are only barely showing signs of wear. Not the lightest or sexiest tire out there but it'll take a pounding.
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Submitted by
muttonmark
a Weekend Warrior
from Midland, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2011
Strengths: Rolls Fast, Ease of Intallation, Good in Hardpack and Loose over Hard, Bites pretty good in Corners.
Weaknesses: None So Far, well, besides Sand, but what tire is good in that?
Bottom Line:
I run the 1.95 on the rear wheel, and Maxxis Ignitor 2.1 on front. In the spring, I ran Exiwolf's on the rear cause they just bite into the sloppy spring trail conditions in Michigan. When the trails started to dry up and harden, I put on the ADvantage. Wear has been good, better than the Exiwolfs. And the only wash out I have had was on a morning ride across a dewey plank bank/bridge. Other than that, I have been pretty impressed with this tire. Great Rolling resistance. Value rating: I give it 4 Chilis, Cuz these tires can run into the $60 range at some places.
Bike Setup: '09 Jamis XCT, Mavic Crossride Disc, Manitou fork
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Submitted by
Scarsandtears
a Weekend Warrior
from Mass. USA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2011
Strengths: Grip! Climbs like a billy goat. Rear tire is 2.25 front is 2.4. Steering is excellent, has sublte float on fast turns bite bites once outer knobs engage. On my third set, love these tires. Bike came with Schwalbe's hated em so swapped em out for the Advantage's
Weaknesses: Price, but all rubber is going up.
Bottom Line:
Fast rolling, grippy, confidence inspriring tire. Great on rocks, loose over hard, and climbs like a goat. Great set of rubber.
Submitted by
burtonriderx
a Weekend Warrior
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2011
Strengths: great grip, super tacky feel. diagonal lugs are pretty soft and the square ones are pretty stiff so it offers the best of both worlds in a sense. only running on the front of my bike since the 2.4 are super tall. protect your rims well. high volume tire. excellent stopping grip. throws dirt for days
Weaknesses: Larger than ALL my other tires, fit my rear triangle but rubs too much under stress so im only running it on the front. LARGER than all my other 2.4's. these tires are super Tall. width wasn't the issue. the square tire profile was sticks out too far from the rim and my chain-stay tube tapered a 1/2 too soon
Bottom Line:
great tire. make sure you have plenty of room if your thinking about putting them on the rear.
only gave it 3 chili's on value since they aren't too cheap and was disappointed they rubbed.but performance on the front has been greatly improved over my old kinetics
Strengths: Grip, low rolling resistance. Good price, wear well and reliable.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Excellent all round tyres. They create a confidence that encourages adventurous riding and deliver consistent grip. Light enough not to be an encumberance but enough meat to take some punishment for all but the most wrecking-ball skill-less riders. They are the best all round tyre that maxxis manufacture and maxxis manufacture many excellent tyres! Recommendable.
Similar Products Used: Over the past 20 years a selection from just about every make available.
Bike Setup: Marin Rift Zone, XT, Easton Hope wheels.
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Submitted by
Trails-of-Fire
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2011
Strengths: Great grip on corners, excellent on climbs as was proven this weekend. Rolling resistance not too noticeable as I ride loose trails and many climbs with technical stuff. These are the true UST tubeless tire by the way.
Weaknesses: None as of yet.
Bottom Line:
I hear complaints about tubeless (UST) tires frequently. But I can't think of anytime I have ever had any problems with seating a tire or inflating one either; does help to use an air compressor like you would use on actual car tire. And you can use a floor pump to inflate a tubeless tire too. They do go flat if you get a thorn like a tubed tire so no difference there. Final word: go tubeless and go with Maxxis ADvantage.
Bike Setup: 2004 Cannondale custom build (I don't like stock components)
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Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Upper State N.Y
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2011
Strengths: Very good grip in all conditions. Pretty light and fast rolling.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Probably the best Maxxis all rounder. For all weather/conditions grip and fast rolling these come top of the pack. Price is good and they deliver the confidence to let me rip.
Submitted by
brontosauros
a Weekend Warrior
from Greece
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2010
Strengths: Good grip , volume, and roll. If you are searching for something a bit faster than the Nevegal then it is very good.Good weight for its size.
I used the exception model. Don't try to make it tubeless.
It was really hard to do it on mavic 819 rims , it needed a lot of juice and never fully sealed.
Weaknesses: The sidewall had a 2-3 mm hole on the 4th ride , on an easy trail.
Bottom Line:
Exception model: Only with an inner tube and not on rocky trails due to weak sidewalls.
Submitted by
Gunnar-man
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2010
Strengths: Great traction, good wear life, easy to convert to tubeless
Weaknesses: Weak sidewall
Bottom Line:
I was very happy with these tires until last weekend when I sliced open the sidewall of my rear 2.2 on a rock that wasn't really that sharp.
Kinda pi$$ed me off as up to that point, I loved them, front and rear. After seeing my sealant spray out of the sidewall cut, I started to think that maybe I should have listened to the others who posted reviews about this tire.
I got these tires from a friend when they were in proto type stage at Maxxis. So one of my favorite things is that they are ALL black(i know that doesnt make or break it for you all). I was drawn to the tread design and the softness of the tread. So far that softness has held up wonderfuly in all conditions. The downfall is that they do wear a bit faster, but you gota give to get sometimes! I have had no problems with the sidewalls which was my biggest concern when I got them, they have taken numerous rocky and rooty long downhills, rock gardens and some big jumps and drops!
Submitted by
Ben Niceknownya
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Junction CO
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2009
Strengths: I have the 2.4s front and rear. They have great braking and cornering grip and are very predictable. Good on all types of terrian. We don't have mud, so I can't say anything about that.
Weaknesses: Rolling resistance. Hey why do you think they brake and corner so well?
Bottom Line:
Great tires, but I'm changing to something with less rolling resistance on the back. I might put one back on the back for winter trail conditions, but under normal conditions here in GJ it is way overkill. Many people complain about the sidewall strength, but I've had no issues and GJ has plenty of rocks.
Strengths: Great grip and low rolling resistance. Good price. Strong sidewalls for a light tyre. Predictable and confidence inspiring in most conditions i.e 99%.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Really good predictable tyre. Great grip in just about enything except thick mud. Quick as in low rolling resistance. Good sidewalls and well supported lugs. Great front and back. Wear well. Great price 5/5.!
Submitted by
rhyko
a Weekend Warrior
from S.WAles UK
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2009
Strengths: Maxxis ADvantage 2.2
it is very tall so good snake bite resistance or you can run it a bit softer for extra traction., good traction uphillthis I think is the perfect trade between speed and grip, its light enough to fly up hills. It has weird cornering grip, I have ridden some fast twisty descents on it (27 mph+ is my idea of quick lol ok not that extreme) it slides and then grips, I think this is due to a gap from the centre tread to the edge, at 1st It scared me a bit but I now am confident that it will catch me so riding is fun again.
braking traction is unbelievable
Weaknesses: i dont think this would make a very good front tyre.
there is a disadvantage to this tyre-its greatest strength is it's greatest weakness-when you lock this tyre up it really bites in hard (really hard) to the point it throws you forward, however i have noticed after only a few rides some of the centre treads are starting to peel off, so i am going to have to avoid locking it up from now on.
Bottom Line:
Maxxis ADvantage 2.2-this is the tyre i am sticking with, it is a good tyre to ride with, however its longevity looks questionable, i shall post another response further down the line.
if you do get this tyre, try not to lock up on rough hard ground
Similar Products Used: Kenda Nevegal, Maxxis Ignitor, Maxxis CRossmark, WTB wolverine, Tiga DH, Maxxis High Roller
Bike Setup: Giant TRance heavily modified for AM/DH
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Submitted by
Micka
a Cross Country Rider
from QLD, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2009
Strengths: Good grip on most trail types and in most conditions. Good climbing traction.
Weaknesses: Edge knobs tearing off, casing cuts.
Bottom Line:
Paid approx. AUD$50 for the 2.1 exception model.
I ride lots of steep, loose, rocky trails. I have only run this on the rear.
This tire is probably at about 60% life remaining. Last night I punctured - due to an edge knob that had torn off, taking the casing with it, exposing the tube. On closer inspection tonight, I found a second edge knob hanging by a thread and 3 others half way gone.
Only had one pinch flat since I've been running it - wasn't the tire's fault. I was running pressure a fraction too low and bombing down rocky, water-bar laden fire roads.
For non-rocky terrain this would be a great tire, and should last until you wear down the knobs. Rough rocky trails forget about it, unless you look to the harder compound versions - but then grip won't be up to scratch...
The Conti Mountain King I've been running on the front at the same time hasn't suffered any of the cuts or torn knobs that the Advantage has, despite being put through similar abuse. Unless specialized revives the Roll-X or old style Enduro I think I'll got for a Conti Rubber Queen 2.2 next time around (if I can find one and if it's at a decent price, currently balking at the AUD$80 price on CRC for the 2.4 model, no sign of the 2.2). If either of those Specialized tires are brought back from the dead I'll be buying myself a lifetime stockpile of them!
2 chilis for for value as they aren't going to last as long as they should; 3 overall as they would be good in different conditions.
Similar Products Used: Conti Mountain King Protection 2.2; Vertical 2.3; Explorer 2.1
Specialized Enduro 2.25; Roll-X S-Works 2.1
Various other kenda, michelin, hutchinson.
Bike Setup: SC Blur LT1, Fox TALAS RLC, XT kit, Hope Pro II/DT Comp/Mavic XM719 wheelset
