Did you run the EXO or regular version, given the weight of 720g?

I'm currently riding the new Fast Trak's 29x2.35 T5, coming from Aspen's 29x2.25 EXO. I was quite surprised how much grip the Fast Trak's provide during cornering, and the suppleness of the tire as well, excellent self- damping.

 

Do you prefer the Fast Trak over the Aspen 2.25?

I ride Aspen 2.25 rear / Ikon 2.35 front right now but I'm always looking to try new tire combos.

 

Hi!

There is only exo version available in the 2.40wt version, so yes, I ride exo version.

 

My feedback on the Aspen 2.4 in the XC Race Tire thread. Had my 2nd ride this weekend on hardpack soil with bit of sand and just crushed PRs left and right.
Love the 2.25 Aspens but the 2.4 just adds that little extra volume im not beat up.

After a very wet July and part of August things finally drying up for good September races in New England. Swapped to 2.4 Aspen front and rear. Both tires pretty close to factory weight spec (717g, 722g). When mounted looked very small, but after one ride tires measuring right at 2.4. The volume is pretty amazing, very supple ride. Really bring the pressure down versus my prior race setup (AR 2.35/Ikon 2.25) to 23psi front/26psi rear.
First impressions of shakedown ride (trail mix of fireroad, hard to medium loose singletrack, lots of small rocks). Avg pace: 11.1mph
Pretty wild such small knobs do the job but felt pretty comfortable loading pretty good into corners. More feedback and not muted like my AR.
There was some greasy rocks and expected to slide but nope, held its line. Better than the Ikon but not as good as the AR.
Acceleration with larger tire felt OK, Ikons much better initial bite and power transfer. But once your moving at a good clip, Aspens just had crazy momentum. Saw this during the fireroad sections, soft pedaling and holding good pace.

 

I just put a set on a Specialized Epic EVO specifically for the Shenandoah Mountain 100. I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. The extra volume is nice as far as traction and added cush, and the rolling resistance on the gravel and pavement felt like I was on a road bike.

 

Member has removed content due to fundamental disagreement with this site owner's views favoring expanded access for electric mountain bikes (eMtb) on multiuse singletrack in public lands.

 

Aspens have nice volume indeed, plan to run 2.4s F/R.
More about that 2.4 Aspen tire here

 

Any long term experiences with the 2.4 Aspens now ?

I am also wondering if the Aspens are more prone to punctures than for instance the Rekon Race, since the tread of the Aspen is more open / less knobs.

 

Most of the Maxxis sponsored Athletes run the 2.4 Aspen (or Aspen ST). I ran one last fall for a few weeks as a rear tire. Overall I was very impressed with it. Then I punctured it on a seedpod because there is no treed to protect the tire. I went back to my Mezcal and never had any issue.

I can't say the Aspen "feels" faster than the Mezcal. I am curious about Rekon Race 2.4wt.

But I have had such a good experience with continental cross king front and Mezcal rear that I am not sure it's worth it.

The extra volume for a hardtail is what's pushing me to try them.

 

Most of the Maxxis sponsored Athletes run the 2.4 Aspen (or Aspen ST). I ran one last fall for a few weeks as a rear tire. Overall I was very impressed with it. Then I punctured it on a seedpod because there is no treed to protect the tire. I went back to my Mezcal and never had any issue.

I can't say the Aspen "feels" faster than the Mezcal. I am curious about Rekon Race 2.4wt.

But I have had such a good experience with continental cross king front and Mezcal rear that I am not sure it's worth it.

The extra volume for a hardtail is what's pushing me to try them.

I do have experience with the Rekon Race and it is a mighty fast tire, pretty versatile too. At least more versatile than you think, based on the tread. Pretty reliable as well. I think because of the smaller knobs are closer to each other compared with the Aspen.

 

IMO Vittoria tyres roll much better than any Maxxis offering.

The Aspen 2.4” is a nice rear tyre in the dry, but pretty sketchy in the front and downright horrible in the wet. Again, subjective, but I feel like the Thunder Burt has better traction and rolls better in all conditions.

 

I don't get a long with Schwable XC tires. They (Ray / Ralph) felt slow, had no grip, weren't particularly light and started shedding knobs on my first ride. And I got them in the super ground casing.

I have much better luck with Schwable trail tires (nobby nic is great!)

I have no complaints with my Crossking / Mezcal combo (it's tough and fast).

I just like trying new tires.

The thunder burt does look like it will be sweet.

 

I have extensively rode the Thunder Burt (Fr/R) this summer... and what a ride !

Grip and traction way more than you should expect from such a tire. Especially cornering grip is great. No dead or vague zones in the tread - very predictable. Even in the wet (as in no mud) it is holding up. Very reliable and slow wear. And fast !! As in fast.

Can't think of anything negative of the Thunder Burt. And I am a Maxxis guy, typically I don't like Schwalbe tires. But the Thunder Burt is a class on it own. That being said, the Rekon Race is not bad either, absolutely not. But the Thunder Burt does everything just slightly better. Hence my question about the Aspen 2.4, to understand if it would be on par with the Thunder Burt, but hearing you guys the performance of the Aspen is not even better than the Rekon Race.

 

I've just installed an Aspen 2.4" on the rear in place of Rekon Race. I'm pretty nervous about puncture resistance, but the volume is fantastic.

I've always been a huge Schwalbe fan and the Ralph has been my rear tyre almost exclusively for over a decade. The availability recently, and Schwalbe measuring slightly smaller/not available in 2.4" has lead me to trying some other tyres.

I'll report back if there's either a speed difference or something unforseen happens with the Aspen.

 

The 2.4 Aspen didn't feel like it was anything special. It was good in sand and measured like 2.55 on i28 rims. It was HUGE.

Mezcal tnt felt maybe a little faster in the conditions I was riding (dry, hardpack).

Sounds like I'll give the Thunderburts a try this year when it's time for XC tires.

 

I have also ordered a 2.4 Aspen for on the rear, which I will pair with a 2.4 Ardent up front.

If the Aspen will succeed the test, I will throw one up front as well, for once spring arrives here.

Fingers crossed that they will measure about the same in width... the Ardent is just a hair under 2.4 on 27mm rims, though will grow for sure since I have just rode about 127kms/80miles on it.