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Maxxis has long been a standard-bearer for mountain bike tires, and every few years, they come up with the “it tire” that everyone wants.
At a time when momentum was growing behind pushing the definition of “cross country” riding to the fringes, they produced the Ardent, a tire of massive volume, thick casing, and chunky center tread that seemed out of place for only a short time. The Ardent set the bar for aggressive, fast-rolling tires (lower rolling resistance).
These can be a bit difficult to find in store, but I've had great success finding the Ardent 2.4 (and variations) over at CompetitiveCyclist. Typically the best prices and frequent seasonal discounts!
Its reputation as a good all-around tire has made it Maxxis’ number one top-selling tire, with multiple wheel sizes, a skinwall version for the NAHBS crowd, a lighter “race” version (Ardent Race) and even an e-bike specific version.
An aggressive tread in high-volume casing, designed with great traction in mind. The Ardent doesn't forget the racer with large block-style side knobs offering numerous edges for high-speed cornering. The center tread, while ideal for braking and acceleration.
With its medium-height tread, the ardent race bridges the gap between the xc-oriented Ikon and the trail-oriented ardent. The center knobs are ramped to reduce rolling resistance, and the side knobs are angled and stepped to provide great biting traction.
Characteristics
The Ardent has an almost continuous center line that makes it roll fast and the tread dramatically opens up toward the outside edges for better bite when the wheel is not quite upright.
XC riders love this tire for its large volume and low rolling resistance. Many use it as a front tire for long distance events where float is valued over traction or as a rear tire when they want float and speed out back.
Tubeless Ready
Mounting a 29×2.4 Ardent on my rigid singlespeed a few years ago was a revelation. The tubeless-ready casing and dense EXO construction made tubeless application a breeze – no compressor necessary.
I could feel the weight, all the extra rubber rotating around my axle, pulling outward to infinity and slowing down my bike wrangling skills for a moment, but the cush and grip was confidence-inspiring. I started charging and leaning the bike more, ripping around the hairpin turns a lot harder than I had previously thought possible.
I was riding a tight, punchy trail with my relatively new Ardent when disaster struck. I was mashing up a steep little climb when a T-shaped stick went straight through the tread. I stopped immediately and had to pull of out – the thing was as big around as one of my fingers. No amount of tubeless sealant was going to save me, but I patched the tire with a standard tube patch and continued to ride it like that for months.
I recently acquired a 29×2.25 tubeless EXO Ardent as a rear tire of rocky central Texas terrain. All of the exposed rock in the region has a reputation for shredding tires so Maxxis’ tires featuring EXO casing are popular here for their durability.
As a rear tire (“tyre” across the pond), the Ardent leaves much to be desired for climbing loose gravel, as I have had it slip a few times. This might be remedied by lower pressure or better weight distribution while mashing the pedals, but a chunkier tire like a Maxxis Minion DHR (or Minion DHF) couldn’t hurt for great traction.
The well-loved Minion DHF inspired an upgrade, and Maxxis jumped on the wide tire bandwagon to offer up the Minion DHR II Wide Trail. It's constructed to improve acceleration and, with its increased width, provide additional support.
Durability
At present, this tire has enough grip for my riding style and is plenty tough for my terrain, so I will likely ride it until the lugs start to tear off, which could take a long, long time.
Related: Mountain Bike Buying Guide: What You Need to Know to Hit the Dirt
How the Ardent Stacks up Against Similar Tires
Ardent vs Schwalbe Hans Dampf
I’m riding a Schwalbe Hans Dampf front tire because the wider-spaced lugs are confidence-inspiring for steering (cornering) and holding a line when stuff gets loose. With all the exposed rock ledges in my region, Hans is showing signs of wear a little faster than I expected, as some of the side lugs (side knobs) are cracking and threatening to rip off.
It would probably work better for traction in softer conditions (mud, sand loose conditions), rather than the cheese grater stuff I ride. Schwalbe tires are generally more expensive than a lot of brands, but they seem to have a magic durability-to-weight ratio, so they may be worth the expense.
Schwalbe has earned a reputation for producing lightweight, high-volume tires that bridge cross country speed with all-mountain reliability. With large tread blocks, a 2.35 inch width, and Snakeskin sidewall reinforcement the Hans Dampf 29er is placed squarely in the emerging 29er all mountain market.
Ardent vs Maxxis Ikon
I spent a lot of time on a pair of 29×2.2 Maxxis Ikons, which are similar to the Ardent at first glance. The lugs are smaller and more tightly spaced, and the version I had featured thin, supple sidewalls. These were not a tubeless-specific model (tubeless tire), but I was riding them without tubes and they worked very well.
The Ikon is incredibly light for a mountain bike tire of that volume and I could feel the increased acceleration and agility. In the end, there was just not enough tread to grip in some traction conditions, and I feared that I would tear the relatively thin sidewalls (on sidewall cuts), although many local riders swear by the Ikon as a go-to rear tire despite any sidewall concerns.
Low profile tires might roll fast in the right circumstances, but the one constant in mountain biking is that conditions constantly change. That's where this race-ready, 2.2in-wide Maxxis Ikon EXO Tubeless Ready Tire comes into play.
Ardent vs Maxxis Continental X-King
I briefly rode a 29×2.2 Conti X-King “Protection” as a rear tire. It feels like it’s made from rhino hide and is about as inconsistent in texture. Mine developed a nasty wobble in the casing after a season of riding, giving me the unnerving feeling that I had a warped rim.
I was not alone in this experience, as I discovered other riders who all had the same experience. Unlike most riders in my area, I got rid of that tire before the lugs started to rip off, leaving thread-y scars in their place. Continental might have improved their manufacturing and quality control since then, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
The Continental Cross King 29" Tire is designed for hardpack, dry, allround, and loose conditions. It features an easy-rolling profile that is versatile enough for any surface.
Final Take: Maxxis Ardent Review
For riders looking for a tried-and-true design, the Ardent (availabe here on sale) is a great choice.
However, tire designs evolve and Maxxis seems to be replacing the Ardent with tires like the Forecaster, which features a more aggressive tread pattern and a lighter, more supple casing. The Maxxis Ardent race tires are still go-to’s for a rider in the enduro race category.
The Ardent will retain an association with good times and a well-behaved bike, regardless of what Maxxis tires and treads follow it.
These can be a bit difficult to find in store, but I've had great success finding the Ardent 2.4 (and variations) over at CompetitiveCyclist. Typically the best prices and frequent seasonal discounts!
Related: The Best Mountain Bike Tires to Conquer Any Terrain
Maxxis Ardent
