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Maxxis Ardent Mountain Bike Tire
Maxxis Ardent Mountain Bike Tire
The newest tire in the Maxxis MTB line is the Ardent, and it offers riders unbeatable traction with a self-adjusting tread. In its raw form the Ardent would be an aggressive rear tire, with delta-shaped center tread sections for grabbing dirt under acceleration and braking. Most riders will stop analyzing there…but if you look closer, you’ll discover a secret: the notches in the center and side knobs are like virtual tread-cuts. These channel cuts change the simple block tread design into a grippy, toothy tire that hooks up on anything from hardpack to slickrock, while still presenting that unified delta shape that claws deep into loose and wet conditions.
Bottom Line: Maxxis knows traction.
Super Grip
By: Yehuda Farkas
November 21, 2008
These tires offer excellent traction. On wet, slushy roads they performed alright to acceptable to me, however on rocks, dirt, and on sandy/rocky soils they outperformed compared to other brand tires I have had before. Would recommend for dry to moderate wet surfaces, would not recommend for heavy water conditions or mud. Overall a great deal on a great traction tire.
Do these ardents have the new EXO casing sidewall?
Do these ardents have the new EXO casing sidewall?
By: mur3623905
July 21, 2010
Stay On the Trail...
By: Eric
July 6, 2009
They work fine as both front and rear. Smooth rolling, great absorbtion.
However, these tires do not corner or climb very well...would not recommend for all-mountain use.
Love rocking the Ardent for a front tire. Right now I have it
Love rocking the Ardent for a front tire. Right now I have it for F and R. But curious if I should try out the Minion DHR mountain for a new rear tire. Anyone got an opinion?
By: aaron berne
May 31, 2010
Fantastic Front Tire
By: Skibum12
March 25, 2010
Riding a 2.4 up front. I have to say that these are probably the best front tire you can have. I've tried them all from WTB to Kenda Nevs, the Ardent for me has been an outstanding front tire. I consider myself a strong xc rider, east coast. We deal with everything from wets, rocks & roots. I've pushed this tire unable to really find its limits. My main concern has been trying to find the perfect rear tire. Ride it on the front, inspires confidence, especially in the sketchy sections of any ride.
No UST version available on these right now. I guess you could go and stans no-tubes glue-it if you wanted?
By: Damon Salter
April 2, 2009
Good for intermediate trails
By: qpcr8tiv
July 10, 2009
I bought 2 sets of these (2.25 and 2.4).
26 x 2.25:
Rolling - rolls very good because of the center tread blocks being closely placed.
Climbing - climbs good for what I was doing, not a whole lot of climbing done on these.
Cornering- on loose to moderately loose sandy soil over hard pack they were not confidence inspiring. You have to be on top of them, the give point is much sooner than I would have expected. I did not ride them in wet conditions since we have none in socal. But I would imagine them being inadequate for wet.
Overall: I heard good things about these tires and wanted to try them. The bigger volume had more downside than upside. Comfortable ride, but think monster truck tires for a second -- not really designed to corner going fast? They're a good tire for those who like to get into terrain but aren't planning on railing turns. Basically the big volume is like riding a beach cruiser with a fat seat. It's good to absorb a lot of vibration beyond that it just holds air.
26 x 2.4:
The rolling and climbing characteristics are good as the 2.25 size (again I don't climb so I'm not worried about that).
Cornering - The Ardents are better at the 2.4 size... not sure why a 2.25 was even made TBH. Riding slopestyle and bermed tracks this tire did okay (I'm back to Minions now). I still did not feel confident and I could feel the bike sliding when other tires (minions) would continue to rail.
Weight - for the size, these are pretty light and was my main reason for trying them.
Overall: I got rid of these soon after the 2.25s. These tires are good for those who do not intend to ride aggressively. On certain bikes, these tires would rub the front deraileurs -- so the higher volume is hit or miss, depending on your set up.
Side note: I'm on minions DHF 2.5 ST and DHR 2.5 3C. They are heavy but the tradeoff is well worth it as these tires feel like they stick to the ground. Night and Day difference.
3 Comments Last Comment: May 29, 2010 by: aaron berne
By: aaron berne
May 29, 2010
Ya, I am on the fence right now too. I rocked the Ardent 2.4 3c for a year and a half. From Porcupine Rim to Aspen to Keystone bike park. Really liked them, but I am curious if the minions would be a better choice for pushing the downhill limits of my 6" bike. Any advice out there?
By: qpcr8tiv
July 11, 2009
yeah, I originally rode with 2.35 Minions before going bigger to 2.4 Ardents. The 2.35s are great tires but if you go up to a 2.5 size (which is actually narrower than the Ardent 2.4) its a noticeable difference in handling. Trust me, you'll kick yourself in the rear end for not doing it sooner. Also the super tacky or 3C compound has unbelievable grip. It's like riding with Vans shoes and then switching to 5Tens.
By: Livninctry
July 10, 2009
Was riding the 2.35 Minion. I'm on the fence as to the better tire. Both are great, but I haven't made up my mind yet.................
what is the differance between foldable tires or not?
what is the differance between foldable tires or not?
By: Noel Nichols
February 15, 2009
Folding Kevlar beads save 80 grams or more of rotational weight while offering the same strength as a steel bead. Folding bead tire sometimes cost more.
By: Damon Salter
April 2, 2009
"Foldable" tires usually have a kevlar bead as opposed to a wire bead. It is possible to fold a wire bead tire, but more difficult. Folding is good if you want to carry a spare tire.
By: Randy Sherwood
February 15, 2009
Best Tire Out!
By: Christian Koblitz
April 25, 2009
This Tire rips! True to size as well which has not been so for Maxxis in the past. I have the 26x2.4 3C and run tubeless. Works great. Good Grip, predictable slide, great bite in the corners. Good front or rear. Great, versatile tire.
1 Comment Last Comment: May 29, 2010 by: aaron berne
By: aaron berne
May 29, 2010
Yo Christian,
What was your method of going tubeless with these tires?
I didn't think there was a UST version. I've been rocking these front and rear for a season and like them a lot. I was going to get them again, but wanted tubless. Let me know, thanks.
recommended
By: she3205493
May 17, 2010
good tire, I put it in the back,it grips wellgoing uphill even in loose stuff
hook up into any turn on any ground
By: C09Matthew1706140
December 3, 2008
I'll admit, I have been riding Kenda for a while now but these MAXXIS Ardents have turned my gaze back to Maxxis. The 2.4 is the perfect tire for those AM,FR,DH riders looking for solid tires without a ton of weight. My most memorable experience with these tires was hooking up into a turn that was off camber that I usually slip out on. Not with the Ardents. The rubber material is perfect for rock, loam, roots; they stick on about anything. The only weakness that I can find with these tires is rolling resistance...but if you are ripping at any reasonable pace you wont notice it.
Sickness
By: Tim Meyer -Dakine Rep
June 9, 2009
Nice tires, a little surprised with the size of the 2.4 as Maxxis is never true to size, much larger profile than Minions I have run in the past. After getting my pressure right these tires rip! Ultra bite in the corners and fast on the straight aways. More spacing between the knobs lead me to believe these would perform in Mud as well. Planning on going tubeless eventually. Another killer tire from Maxxis.
Change me.
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