The most important facts in brief

Until now, the Forekaster was a race tire for wet conditions and damp ground. In its latest edition, Maxxis has positioned the tire between the cross-country and trail segments. In other words, for bikes with 110 to 120 millimeters of suspension travel. The tread pattern has been completely redesigned. Aggressive side knobs are paired with medium-high knobs in the middle of the tire for better rolling characteristics. It is available in two widths and in two different rubber compounds in the 29-inch size.

First impression

The 2.4 inch wide version is slightly narrower than other tires of the same size. The open tread indicates good self-cleaning properties and plenty of grip. The weight of around 930 grams is high for a downcountry tire with low puncture protection. This otherwise corresponds to "light" enduro tires. Tubeless mounting is effortless

In use

The rolling resistance of the tire is low even on asphalt, but it can't keep up with the top tires from other manufacturers. It rolls smoothly off-road and emits slight vibrations on the road. Cornering grip is good and predictable, and the lugs do not bend even on the hardest surfaces. Regardless of whether the ground is wet or dry, the traction is good - as is the grip, even on rocks and roots. As expected, self-cleaning is excellent. Although the profile is not too high, the braking characteristics are also impressive on steep terrain. The Exo puncture protection was always sufficient off-road. However, the somewhat exuberant action of shooting down a flight of stairs at high speed went wrong and ended with a puncture. The result: a cut of six millimeters in the tread and another one, about four millimeters long, just above the rim flange - total failure. Well, this driving behavior was not what the inventor had in mind either, but it showed where the limits lie.

Conclusion

The Maxxis Forekaster is a genuine downcountry tire. It generally has good rolling characteristics and offers the grip and traction of a trail tire. Complaining about the high weight is whining on a high level. Because in return, you get a good dose of puncture protection.

Manufacturer

www.maxxistires.de