An aggressive tread in high-volume casings distinguishes the newest addition to Maxxis' downhill and mountain disciplines. Designed with great traction in mind, the Ardent doesn't forget the racer. Large block-style side knobs offer numerous edges for high-speed corners. Center tread, while designed for braking and accelerating traction, also features ramped knobs to minimize rolling resistance. With a wide variety of size offerings, the Ardent captures every mountain rider's needs.
None so far, only ridden it twice and WOW.. I'm really liking what it does. I bought the 2.4, 60 durometer version and use it on the front which is where it belongs
Similar Products Used:
Nevegal, Tioga, Maxxis Minion DHF,
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur LT 2.. Lots of good stuff
Bottom Line:
I'm an all mountain rider in Southern California (I live two miles away from the entrance to Sycamore Canyon National Park) and anyone familiar with the area knows how brutal the trails can be on tires. This tire certainly takes a few turns to get the feel of its handling characteristics. As noted by some of the reviewers below, you don't want to be tentative with this tire when making turns. You really have to trust it (and it won't let you down). The center lugs are very tall and excel at braking coupled with a very smooth roll out, but there is a definite and noticeable transition to the outer lugs when leaning into a corner. I took my first few turns a little cautiously considering this was an untested and unknown entity. As noted by other reviewers, the tire reacted a little sketchy in loose over hard pack (which is mostly what Southern California dry season riding is)... The next set of turns I took, I decided to lie into and fully commit...That's when I began to get a feel for this tire. I could not believe how well the outer lugs gripped on all the various conditions.. sandy, loose over hard pack and hard pack.. I started to bomb downhill on one of my favorite descents and had an absolute blast! In fact, I climed the single track right afterwards just so I could do it again. The tire handles immaculately on rough uneven surfaces. I felt VERY confident grinding into turns and bouncing over rock gardens. The Ardent floated well over sandy stretches but the real money shot is in hard, full tilt, carving turns.. I was extremely impressed with the performance of the tire on the downhill, but don't sell it short for climbing either. The "Ardent rides very light for a high volume semi-downhill tire and I did not notice any undue drag or sluggishness when ascending the steep stuff, in fact, I felt it tracked very well during technical ascents. Braking with this tire is a no-brainer... very sure and controlled. I bought the 60 durometer variety and it is PLENTY sticky in these conditions... I don't think you would want the 40 durometer unless you mostly ride in wet and or muddy conditions..I think it would probably shred too easily on the unforgiving California sharp, rocky trails.
Although I have only taken two rides on the tire so far with a total of 6 hours experience using it... I am rapidly becoming a believer. Can’t wait to go out tomorrow morning and try it again.. I’ll re-post in a month or two when I have really had the opportunity to fully experience this tire.
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Submitted by
shoei4460
a Downhiller
from australia Date Reviewed: September 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
mt stromlo
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Strengths:
sticks to anything. be it sand, boulders, pebals or even a car roof this tire will hold. it gives the rider so much more confidence to hit turns at speed. it also roles really fast
Weaknesses:
definately the tendancy to wear. took it to my local trail and did two runs. shredded the side knobs and so probly wont buy this compound again.
Similar Products Used:
maxxis high roller, maxxis minion dhf 3c
Bike Setup:
06 kona stab deluxe, sun mtx rims
Bottom Line:
i run my minion f on the back and the ardent on the front and the ardent has never washed out on me... thats how well it grips. the minion can only handle so much yet its like the ardent will take it all day every day
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Submitted by
Hohner
a Cross Country Rider
from Slovenia Date Reviewed: September 1, 2009
Favorite Trail:
woods
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$39.00
Purchased At:
Veb Company
Strengths:
Light weight for a 2.25, fast rolling
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Nevegal 2.1, Conti Rubber Queen 2.2
Bike Setup:
Giant Iguana, Marzochi EXR
Bottom Line:
Very good tyre. Very good at cornering on loose terrain, gravel, sand. Very good braking control. I also tried it uphills. The tyre excells. Very controlable at downhills.
The next ride is in mud!
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Submitted by
pinarlusu
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney Australia Date Reviewed: July 22, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Appin
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
velogear.com.au
Strengths:
Cheap, Great rolling resistance, tonnes of grip, 620gram for a 2.25 70a, long lasting, around 45-35psi is the best for grip n not bad for rolling as well ! wide enough as well, add some drama to your ride with some predictable drifting! you have to really lean on top of the front wheel to get the traction on to the ground
Weaknesses:
dont expect the tyre to hook up the surface straight, give it few nano seconds first or you'll be ending up on the dirt
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Nevegal
Bike Setup:
BMC Trailfox 02, SLX drive train, Rockshox Revelation fork, carbon handle bar n seat post, mavic crossride
Bottom Line:
This is the best maxxis tyre ever! when I first used the kenda Nevegal I loved it. Then I saw this Ardent n gave it a go. It rolls alot better than the kenda n surprisingly grips like the same! It is lighter, roll faster, n can be push harder than the Kenda n cheaper as well!
Just remember to run low psi on it and you'll be sweet! Love it
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Submitted by
Stevob
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne Date Reviewed: June 17, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Silvan
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Torpedo7.com.au
Strengths:
Grip
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Geax Sturdy 2.1
Bike Setup:
I had these on an old Giant rigid SS running 36:17, but took them off that recently for my other SS, a GT Avalanche 1.0 running 32:16. I run low pressures (22psi) with tubes, but I'm only 143lb myself.
Bottom Line:
I bought these after recommendations for them being a tyre with good leaning grip as the Sturdy's were constantly washing out at the front. Whilst they aren't idiot proof, they certainly do the job I ask of them. They transformed the Giant into something rideable on the downhill runs. After the first run with them on the GT, I'm very impressed. No problem with pinch flats, even though I rode a trail with heaps of exposed tree roots & steps. Will probably buy again if I get reasonable mileage out of them. Very happy.
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Submitted by
Dirt Surfer
a Weekend Warrior
from Camarillo, CA Date Reviewed: June 1, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Guati
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
wheel world
Strengths:
low rolling resistance, excellent cornering grip when leaning, large volume, good braking, varied distance side knobs, not too soft, drifts with control.
Weaknesses:
Too big for the rear on my 5.5, slight hestitation before the side knobs grab (minor). only major complaint was the tire is a little out of round, noticable on bike stand and rubbed when on the back. could not feel it while riding but annoying knowing it was not perfect.
Similar Products Used:
ADvantage, nevegal, wierwolf LT, lots of others
Bike Setup:
Intense 5.5, shimano XT, Juicy 5 disks, Pike 427
Bottom Line:
A good large volume tire, rolls very well, if you are going straight you can really feel it pick up speed with little resistance. Lean it and it grabs like velcro. This tire works well in rocks. hard pack and sand. It definately wants you to lean into a turn, once you do it will reward you with a nice carved turn with control. It work fairly well on the rear, slipped a little on the loose stuff but rubbed too much due the the size and slight out of round so I put it up front. Put the ADvantage on the back and this makes an excellent combination for climbing grip and downhill speed.
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Submitted by
William Fold
a Downhiller
from Date Reviewed: June 1, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Universal Cycles
Strengths:
This is for the 2.25 version:
excellent traction while climbing, braking, cornering.
light weight.
fast rolling.
big volume.
Weaknesses:
requires commitment and skill, aggressive cornering, and a willingness or desire to drift corners
This is a great tire for someone who is a confident and aggressive rider. The transition between center tread and edge tread leaves a bit of a knob gap, this means you will have some drift in your turns if you're leaned only partway. Lean it further and it grabs & carves.
I have run this on both the rear and the front and I like it in both. If you're not comfortable with the drifty nature it would probably be easier to run this only on the rear, and use something with a full tread like a Nevegal up front.
It rolls much faster than any other similar knobbed (not semi-slicks or microknobs, I mean) tire I've run at this size (2.25 - 2.35) and has great trail feel. I have this up front with an ADvantage 2.1 in the back and it's a great combination.
5/5 for the right rider. If you're tentative you may find you may end up like the fellow just below me, who described the drifty nature when you ride them a certain way.
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Submitted by
miragebass72
a Downhiller
from Columbus, Ohio, USA Date Reviewed: May 31, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Snowshoe
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Fast rolling and controlled braking
Weaknesses:
Terrible at cornering, especially in rocky conditions. The setup of the tire demands you lean it so far over it's very difficult to make a controlled turn with them.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Big Earl, Maxxis Mobster, Tioga Factory DH
Bottom Line:
I won't be buying these tires again. If you're more into bike-cross or groomed terrain, these would be a decent tire but on loose terrain they are just all over the place.
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Submitted by
ppfeifer
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Virginia Date Reviewed: May 16, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Quantico
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
THE BIKE LANE
Strengths:
Large Volume and Great Grip
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Mountain King 2.2, Bontrager ACX 2.2, Maxxis Ignitor, Michelin XC AT, and Specialized Fast Trak LK
Bike Setup:
GF Ferrous 29er with some other fun stuff
Bottom Line:
I use the Ardent specifically as a front tire but I wouldn't hesitate to try it as a back tire. Compared to my old Mountain Kings, the Ardent has almost the same traction with way more volume and a much lower rolling resistance. This tire really shines on fast downhill sections (because it is a DH tire :) ), where it soaks up bumps that used to upset my MK's. The tire's rounded profile makes for light steering on tight switch-backs. Also, the widely spaced treads don't clog easily. Give it a try. You'll like it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Beemer2
a Weekend Warrior
from Destrehan, La Date Reviewed: May 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Comite
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
East Bank Cyclery-Me
Strengths:
Fast, stiff, sticks, large volume, real large voume
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Mountain King 2.4's and 2.2's; Kenda small block 2:35's and 2.10's; Maxxis crossmark 2.10;Jones XDR
Bike Setup:
2008 EX-*8;all sram and XT
Bottom Line:
These tires stick on everything, the Mountain Kings kept flatting down here in the south cause the berry bushes are ripe. Eight flats on the MK front, four on the rear, a lot of bucks for flat repair; never had this trouble on other tires;Crossmark was my favorite, and now the Ardent is, it will hold 65psi if I need it for the park or 35 PSI if I need it for the trail (very supple at 38PSI). Likes mud and loose over hard pack. The MK likes everything though!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mitch7
a Weekend Warrior
from Blenheim ,Marlborough,New Zealand Date Reviewed: March 30, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Waka,Whites Bay,Croesus,anything in Queenstown
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$27.00
Purchased At:
Bike HQ Marlborough
Strengths:
Light,weighed in shop 650gms with card,rolls real well, and feels stable. Rode QCT (Queen Charlotte Track) and it has dry hardpack clay and sections in gluggy wet clay,and loamy soil, the tyres handled it all,
Weaknesses:
just a wee bit narrow for my liking,would prefer in a 2.35, i see a 2.4 is available,although not in NZ yet..
Tyre carcass feels abit thin and could be prone to puncture or tear...but that is yet to happen
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Nevengals and Blu Groove DTC, High Roller,Minion combo for FR duties, Weirwolfs (great summer tyre) and Timberwolfs (super grip on roots,just a bit to heavy)
Bike Setup:
2008 Marin Wolf Ridge (attack trail in UK)
Hope Syncros Mallets Gap MRP Bash E!3 Guide Pike
Bottom Line:
Real good tyre for general trail riding,i have yet to hit some rockgardens with them.
I run my tyres at around 27-28 psi and these were fine, I'm also on the heavy side (90kg without shoes,helmet and pack) and they didn't feel like they were going to peel off the rim.
Basically they are very similar to Kenda Nevengals,but 100gms lighter than the 2.35 DTC...you'll notice the differnce immediatly . Still a big fan of the Nevngal,but these are great too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
stubs
a Cross Country Rider
from Liverpool, Great Britain Date Reviewed: March 16, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Penmachno
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Wheelbase, Staveley,
Strengths:
Lightweight, Fast rolling, Grippy, Blows up Hoooge.
Weaknesses:
Doesnt seem to work on the rear no matter which way you run it
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Ignitor 2.3, Maxxis High roller xc 2.1, Panaracer Fire 2.1, Continental Mountain King 2.3.
I was looking for a fast rolling tyre for XC which blew up to a good size and gave good grip on loose rocky descents but didnt clog up with mud at the first sign of a puddle. It can be run at quite a low pressure before it starts to fold under in a turn I am running it at about 32 to 35 psi and havent pinch flatted yet though I havent done any really flat out drops on it yet but then its not that sort of bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
littleblue
a Weekend Warrior
from Corte Madera, CA Date Reviewed: January 29, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Annadel
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
blueskycycling.com
Strengths:
Rolling resistance, volume, cornering grip, weight, looks.
Weaknesses:
Bad grip as a rear tire.
Similar Products Used:
Motoraptor, Weirwolf, Eskar.
Bike Setup:
06 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR expert
Bottom Line:
I really like this tire, but only for the front. For the front tire I'm running a 2.4. The one thing that really jumps out is how big this tire is, it has good width and a LOT of volume. It is also a round profile tire which I prefer. It's light for it's size, rolls really well, and bites in the turns well too. I've tried it in a variety of condidtions and they have perfromed well so far. Really good braking grip too.
I was running a 2.3 in the rear but it didn't work too well for me. Mounted in the proper direction it offerd very little grip when trying to power up a steep hill w/ loose dirt, wasn't particularly great a roots and rock either. The only time it really worked out was long fire road rides.
I tried mounting it backwards and it did grip a little better, but still it spun out too easily, and when mounted backwards it offered very little in braking grip.
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Submitted by
Money
a Weekend Warrior
from Gilbert, AZ Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
They brake very very well, very controlled. They corner amazing, once you lean them over a bit. Low rolling resistance - pedaling actually felt easier.
Weaknesses:
On slight turns, they feel like they aren't hooking up. The tires almost demand that you lean the bike over before they hook up.
Similar Products Used:
Minons, High Rollers, Michelin 2.8 Comp. etc...
Bike Setup:
48 lb VP Free w DHX 5.0 and 66 RC.
Bottom Line:
These tires will make you ride faster. If you ride them like a pansy, then they will feel skittish and terrible. But once you start laying into them, they feel amazing. Braking felt very controlled. Climbing was super smooth. Slow cornering or lazy turns felt squirrely. Ripping berms felt amazing!
Bottom line - If you ride aggresively, or want to, these tires are the bomb. If not, try something else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob-Bob
a Downhiller
from Pa. Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Seven Springs 007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
Traction in various conditions
Weaknesses:
None Yet
Similar Products Used:
Spec. Chunder Pro
Bike Setup:
Stock 07 Big Hit II
Bottom Line:
I bought the 2.6 wide tires for DH. I am very impressed with the amount traction these tires offer, I can take berms alot faster with these tires compared to the Chunders that came stock with the bike.
They hold very well in loose conditions and hard pack, I was also happy to see that they work very well in muddy conditions ( they shed mud like a champ).
If you are tired of sliding around corners and want to stick to the ground - GET THESE
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
photodog
a Racer
from SLO, CA Date Reviewed: August 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
my yard
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
CBO
Strengths:
Very good grip in loose conditions
Weaknesses:
heavy, fairly slow roller
Similar Products Used:
The most similar tire is the Kenda Nevegal 2.35
Bike Setup:
Nomad, Float 36
Bottom Line:
I'm VERY pleased with this tire. I live in the So. Cal area with very rocky, gravely and loose conditions and this tire does a great job. It grips really well and slides in a controlled way. It doesn't have much intermediate knobs so you have to trust the tire and really have to lean it over to catch the side knobs. I've definitely found that the tire hooks up better the more aggressive you ride it. This is a great alternative to the Nevegal that I love. I wouldn't necessarily say it's a better tire all around but in very rocky conditions I found it's handling characteristics to be more fun and probably a bit faster. I've only ridden it in these conditions though and only run it for about 5 hours so I can't say anything about durability. If it lasts longer than a Nevegal (which usually wears out on me in 3 months or less) then I will be very happy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Grant
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Date Reviewed: April 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light weight, great grip, true 2.25 size.....nice change from Maxxis.
Weaknesses:
Honestly at this early stage.
Similar Products Used:
High roller, Crossmark
Bike Setup:
Giant Trance X
Bottom Line:
Very impressive tyre. Very, very light, only 40 grams heavier than a Crossmark. Lots of corner grip, have only washed out in very loose dust, and for a tyre with ramped edges it climbs bloody well too.
Loving them so far!!!!
If you're after a light weight big bagged all mountain/trail tyre get on board.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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