Maxxis Offers New Technologies in Road Racing Tyres

Maxxis, the renowned Taiwan tyre manufacturer (part of CST), is launching a full scale attack at the road race segment. In order to significantly grow its presence in this segment of the bicycle tyre market, Maxxis started some time ago a cost intensive R&D project. This is now bearing fruit as the company is introducing its new “Seamless Tubular Technology” as well as its “Radial-Tubeless Technology”.

To start with the Seamless Tubular Technology; it is the result of a long term study. The new type of tubular is made as a complete tube without any seam. On standard tubulars the seam is normally located in the area at which the tubular is glued to the rim. The new seamless construction has the advantage that the carcass of the tubular matches perfectly with the rim.

Maxxis releases two tubulars with the new technology. The ‘Campione’ is a racing-oriented tubular with a supple high 120 TPI casing. This high-end 700x23C tubular weights 260 grams. It can be inflated up to 145 psi (10 bar). The more sports oriented (or for training purposes) and affordable ‘Forza’ tubular has 60 TPI casing and weights 280 grams. It can inflated up to 130 psi (9 bar). Both seamless-tubulars are made with Maxxis new dual compound with an additional nano-structure yielding long wear and a low rolling resistance.

Maxxis’ second result of its R&D project is “Radial-Tubeless Technology”. It combines tubeless technology with a radial tyre. Maxxis introduced its road tubeless tyres in 2010. Tubeless tyres have a greater resistance to snake bite punctures. In case of punctures tubeless tyres present a low rate of air loss (similar to slow-punctures) and the tyre remains firmly locked on the rim bead.

The foldable ‘Padrone’ has a carbon fiber bed and a very flexible 120 TPI casing. It weighs 300 gram and can be inflated up to 125 psi (8.5 bar). Radial tyres are standard on cars and motorcycles. Maxxis researchers managed to get the difficult technological radial tyre problems under control and introduced the radial technology to road tyres with its ‘Radiale-22c’ and the ‘Radiale-23c’ back in 2009. The 120 TPI radial casing allows the sidewall to easily bend and flex. The ‘Radiale’ weighs 215gr and can be pumped up to 145 psi (10 bar).

Now Maxxis combines the tubeless and radial technologies to produce “the optimal bicycle tyre”. Because it is a radial tyre, the company says that the ‘Radiale-TL’ offers superior cornering ability.  The 700 X 22C road tyre is foldable, made with 120 TPI, weighs 285 grams and can handle a maximum pressure of 125 psi (8.5 bar). The Tubeless-Radial uses the company’s new dual compound with an additional nano structure, which Maxxis says increases wearing resistance by 30 percent and offers low rolling resistance. Maxxis has not yet scheduled the delivery dates of the Radial-TL and of their Seamless-tubulars Campione & Forza but shipments are expected the coming months.