Maxxis Rambler HYPR – X 700 x 45 off road rolling resistance test results. 📊
These models currently have the Keegan Swenson stamp of approval for being faster, which obviously brings some curiosity about them!
Maxxis recently extensively refreshed their gravel lineup with a change in the casing and compound…and a bit more subtle logo than the blaze yellow of their MTB tires. This came with the common claims of more grip and more speed. These measured out to 46 mm on a 25 mm Reserve rim. Easy to air up.
I am quite familiar with the old version of this tire and always considered it a bread and butter tire. Pretty nice tread that works everywhere but not very fast. I would say over time, these had a bit of a slow reputation, so I was looking forward to testing these! I have the 45 Reavers also to try soon.
As you can see, solid result on these from Maxxis. They are absolutely faster than the old Ramblers AND faster than both of the new Specialized gravel tires I tested. Impressive.
As far as the actual Maxxis gravel vs mtb tire conversation the last result photo shows my tested CRR values shown as rolling resistance at pro level speed on Category 2 (Medium) gravel to show the spread of the 3 Maxxis tires I have tried so far. The new Rambler is faster than the Aspen 2.4 and likely all of the Ikon lineup on Cat 2 gravel…but not quite as fast as the 29 x 2.25 Aspen ST on Cat 2 gravel.
Of course, comparing a 45 mm tire to one that measures 59 mm deserves some consideration of aerodynamics, especially at higher speeds. At 22 mph, a 45 mm tire will quite often be around 8 watts faster than the 59 mm tire in pure aerodynamic terms (around 0.014 CdA change). This leaves us with the Aspen ST still around being a faster tire on gravel at pro level speeds, but it is VERY close. 😳
(I’m still dreaming of a 170 tpi 29 x 2.1 Aspen ST, by the way) 👋
All test results on gravel are my own via Chung Method (Virtual Elevation) testing. 🔄
Replacing these w Tufo Thundero 48 next.
by gravykarrasch
2 Comments
I have the original maxxis ramblers in 40 and I love them. Perfect for all surfaces and excellent in wet conditions. They have held up amazingly, definitely interested in the new formula.
Pretty impressive considering they’re faster on Cat 2 gravel compared to my beloved Terra Speed 45’s which are my go to for relatively tame cat1/cat2 Michigan gravel.
While you’re taking requests, let’s see some of the more recent 40mm slick “groad” offerings tested 😁
I’m running Schwalbe RS pro 40mm right now where they’re slippery enough thru fast corners & loose-ish gravel flats that I think a plain slick tire would perform just as well thru corners, while likely being faster on the flats.