Discover the Maxxis Assegai mountain bike tire
The Maxxis Assegai sets the benchmark for grip in the Maxxis MTB lineup. Its aggressive tread gives you biting, predictable traction from the center knobs right through to the shoulders. Downhill world champion Greg Minnaar helped develop the Assegai as his signature tire for the toughest conditions. Today, trail, enduro, and downhill riders rely on it for consistent grip at any lean angle. Run it up front for maximum control, either on its own or paired with a faster-rolling rear tire. Choose from four casings, from lightweight EXO to rugged Downhill, and three compounds up to the high-traction 3C MaxxGrip. That makes it easy to match the Assegai to your riding style and wheel setup.
What sets Maxxis Assegai tires apart
Three points set the series apart from other gravity tires. Here's a quick summary.
- Grip at any angle: a tread pattern combining elements of the Minion DHF, DHR II, and High Roller for traction at any lean angle.
- Casing to match: from EXO for the trail to Downhill for the bike park, there's a casing for every type of riding.
- World Cup proven: Minnaar's signature tread has been winning on downhill and enduro tracks for years.
Maxxis Assegai casings and compounds at a glance
Choose your casing based on how much protection you need and how you want the tire to feel. Then pick your compound for the level of grip you're after. The rougher the terrain, the sturdier the casing and the softer the rubber compound should be. All tires are Tubeless Ready and available in 27.5" and 29" sizes.
Maxxis Assegai EXO
Want to keep weight down without giving up Assegai grip? EXO is the lightest casing in the lineup. A cut- and abrasion-resistant EXO layer protects the sidewall from rocks and roots without making the tire feel sluggish. It still rolls efficiently on climbs and gives you enough protection for regular trail riding. A strong choice if you do plenty of climbing under your own power.
- 60 TPI casing with EXO sidewall protection
- For trail riding and efficient uphill pedaling
- Available with Dual or MaxxTerra compound
Maxxis Assegai EXO+
Riding rougher trails or a light e-MTB? EXO+ steps up the protection. A small butyl insert at the bead complements the EXO layer, adding sidewall stability and cushioning impacts against the rim. You get more flat protection than with EXO without stepping all the way up to the weight of DoubleDown.
- 60 TPI plus EXO layer plus butyl insert at the bead
- For demanding trail riding and light e-MTBs
- More flat protection than EXO, lighter than DoubleDown
Maxxis Assegai DoubleDown
For demanding enduro riding, step up to DoubleDown (DD). Two layers of 120 TPI fabric plus a butyl insert create a sturdy casing with plenty of stability and flat protection. It's lighter than Downhill and gives you more direct feedback from the trail.
- 2×120 TPI with butyl insert in the sidewall
- For enduro racing and high-powered e-MTBs
- More direct trail feedback and lighter than Downhill
Maxxis Assegai Downhill
For downhill racing, bike parks, and long-travel e-MTBs, the Downhill casing puts protection first. The classic construction uses two layers of 60 TPI fabric and a large butyl insert extending from the bead into the sidewall. Maxxis also offers its NEW DH casing with two 120 TPI layers, which further develops the previous DH construction.
- 2×60 TPI or 2×120 TPI with a large butyl insert
- For downhill racing, bike parks, and long-travel e-MTBs
- Maximum protection and a composed ride
The technology behind the Maxxis Assegai
How an Assegai feels on the trail comes down to three things: rubber compound, casing construction, and tire profile. Choose the right combination and you can balance grip, durability, and rolling resistance to suit your riding.
3C MaxxGrip and 3C MaxxTerra
Want maximum grip? 3C MaxxGrip uses three rubber layers: a firm base supports the knobs, while softer upper layers add traction. Maxxis uses its stickiest, slowest-rebounding MTB compound here – the same compound used in the World Cup – for tenacious grip on wet rock. For greater durability and lower rolling resistance, choose 3C MaxxTerra.
EXO, EXO+, DoubleDown, and DH casings
Flat protection sits in the sidewall. EXO is a tightly woven, flexible material that guards against cuts and abrasion without affecting ride feel. EXO+ adds a butyl insert at the bead to the 60 TPI casing, warding off pinch flats. DoubleDown stacks two 120 TPI layers, while the DH casings use two 60 TPI or two 120 TPI layers with a large butyl insert.
Wide Trail and Tubeless Ready on the Maxxis Assegai
The right rim width keeps the Assegai's tread profile working as intended. Its 2.50-inch sizes are designed for rims with a 30 to 35 mm internal width, keeping the shoulder knobs in the right position. All versions are Tubeless Ready, so a compatible rim and sealant let you run lower pressures for more grip. Maximum pressure for the 2.50-inch sizes is 50 psi.
Shop Maxxis Assegai tires at BIKE24
Heading to the bike park or looking for more confidence from your front tire on every ride? Choose from common combinations of Assegai sizes, compounds, and casings to match your front and rear setup. You'll also find matching tubeless accessories, plus DIY guides for tubeless setup and finding the right tire pressure. Find the Maxxis Assegai for your ride.