Maxxis Forkaster Tyres – Long-Term Review
Tyre choice is crucial for ride performance. From choosing the right tread for the trails, the balance of weight Vs protection, and rolling speed Vs grip. It all makes a huge difference to your ride experience and performance. The new Maxxis Forekaster seem to have the goldilocks tick of approval.
Maxxis is no stranger to making top-performing tyres and is one of the largest and most well-known brands when it comes to tyres. It’s really hard to go past a Maxxis tyre when you’re looking for fresh rubber. We all have our favourite tyre model and often go back to what we know. Sometimes classics are updated and sometimes for the better, which is exactly what Maxxis has done with their updated Forkeaster tyre.
The original Forekaster was designed as a wet weather option for XC, while the new version is aimed squarely at modern short travel (100mm-130mm) trail bikes – aka the “down country” segment. The new Forekaster is intended to be a “Goldilocks” tyre and promises fast rolling speed, solid cornering, and braking traction in a broad range of trail conditions.
Features
The new Forekaster offers a revised tread pattern with a larger knob height for more aggressive riding conditions and is targeted for wider general use, from cross-country to trail and down-country expeditions. Maxxis say that this tyre is a bridge between the Ikon and Rekon.
Due to being marketed as a down country tyre, the Forekaster features improved durability to cater to rougher riding conditions. The new Forekaster comes with EXO sidewall protection, Dual compound or 3C MaxxTerra options. The MaxTerra compound uses a multi-layer approach using a hard compound at the base, a medium compound in the centre of the tyre and a soft compound on the outer edge, and knobs.
The refreshed Forekaster features larger knobs for significantly improved cornering and grip with a revised tread pattern that maintains a fast rolling speed with improved mud clearance.
The Forekaster is a directional tyre and is designed to run front and/or rear. You can pair it with others such as an Ikon or Aspen or run both front and rear. The Forekaster rolls faster than a Minion or even the Dissector but provides more predictable cornering, climbing, and braking traction than the Aspen or Rekon
In terms of weight, the 2.4 29″ tyre hits the scales at approx 945 grams for both the dual compound and MaxxTerra versions. The weight has gone up where the previous version weighed 735 grams but the additional weight is what makes this version of the Forekaster such a great all-rounder. If weight concerns you, then look away because there are also talks that a monster 2.6″ version will be on the way, and yes, it will be heavier.
- Dual compound or 3C MaxxTerra options
- EXO sidewall protection
- Tubeless Ready (TR)
- Category: Downcountry, XC, Trail
- Recommended use: Loose to wet spring/fall trail conditions
- Recommended installation: Front or Rear
Due to the slightly burlier knobs and beefed-up materials, there is a slight weight cost but Maxxis feel this is necessary for the more demanding conditions the tyre can cater for.
On The Trails
If we were judging on looks alone you could easily miss the changes that have taken place. The taller knobs and revised tread design from the original Forkeaster have been subtle on paper, but very effective in the field.
The centre tread remains relatively the same as previously with 1 knob, 2 knobs (close), and 2 knobs (wide). However, the middle row of 2 knobs has been moved apart so there is now a larger gap between them than previously. The siping on these centre knobs has also changed from a 45-degree angle to a straight horizontal. OK, not a huge change visually but this has made a big change in the way the tyre performs.
What we felt was a big improvement in cornering and this is due to the taller side knobs and the softer compound used in this outer area. The side knobs sit in line versus the previous offset pattern giving you a more direct and aggressive grip on the edge when you tip it in, which allowed us to push much harder into corners than expected. They also performed well in super-dry and wetter conditions, although not as predictable as say a trusty DHF or Assegai, but that’s comparing apples with oranges.
The XC characteristics of the original Forekaster are still present and this is a tyre we would 100% consider using for an XC race and once the race was done we’d more than likely keep them on and head out to the local Enduro trails with the same level of confidence.
The transition from seated to standing over the cranks and sprinting is direct and instant and the improved grip helps maintain traction during these transitions. Even though the height of the knobs has increased we didn’t feel any obvious downside to rolling speed from the original Forekaster.
We felt the Maxxis Forekaster has more in common with its burlier brother, the Minion DHF, and any XC connection is now more of a long-lost cousin.
In terms of braking, the updated Forekaster with the taller and softer compound on the outer knobs anchor hard into the dirt providing bucketloads of grip but not so soft that the tyre ever felt out of shape when pushing hard.
Braking traction over rocks and roots was predictable and progressive due to the softer and taller knobs over the original version. This again allowed us to push the tyre and ride gnarlier terrain and simply trust the softer compound to hold us and slow us down providing a lot of confidence in a tyre we just wouldn’t have thought possible, previously.
When riding in muddier conditions (shame on us) we found that mud clearance was actually a little better than the original Forekaster. We put this down to the increased spacing across the tread pattern, and a change in the siping on the knob surface. Maxxis have added rows of subtle horizontal bumps across the surface of the tyre and claim they should help with mud clearance. We can’t quite understand why these would help but it seems they do.
Achieving the perfect balance of grip and speed for the new Forekaster has been a key focus for Maxxis.
Conclusions
If you are looking for a tyre that can be used for the majority of trail riding, a spot of XC racing, or heading off on big down-country adventures with some spicy gnarlier terrain thrown in for the mix, then the updated Maxxis Forekaster will have you covered.
With material and tread design updates, the new Forekaster offers improved grip and handling performance whilst maintaining the original speedy characteristics of the original.
Where to Buy / Price
Maxxis Forekaster: $39.95–$104.95.
Ask at your local bike shop or your Maxxis dealer or KWT Imports for availability.
Available in 27.5 / 2.25, 2.4, and 29 / 2.25, 2.4 and 2.6 Dual compound or 3C MaxxTerra options with EXO sidewall protection and Tubeless Ready (TR).
