Maxxis Assegai Mountain Tire

The Assegai is widely considered one of the best front tires on the market due to its predictable cornering and grip. While you can run it on the rear for maximum braking traction, many riders prefer pairing it with a faster-rolling tire like the Maxxis Dissector or Aggressor in the back to save energy.

This tire is built with a 'Wide Trail' casing, which is specifically optimized for modern rims with an internal width between 30mm and 35mm. Using this rim range ensures the tire profile is supported correctly, preventing the tire from squirming or rolling under hard cornering.

MaxxGrip is Maxxis's softest, stickiest compound, which provides incredible traction but creates more rolling resistance than harder compounds like MaxxTerra. You will notice it feels slower on long climbs or pavement, but the trade-off is superior confidence and grip on technical, loose, or wet terrain.

Yes, the EXO+ casing is a significant step up in durability from the standard EXO casing, offering extra reinforcement in the sidewalls and tread area. It is a great middle-ground option that balances puncture resistance with a supple ride feel, though aggressive riders hitting sharp, jagged rocks at high speeds might still prefer the even heavier DoubleDown casing.

While it is a 'Tubeless Ready' tire, you can absolutely run it with inner tubes if you prefer. However, the tire is designed to perform best when set up tubeless, as this allows you to run lower tire pressures for better grip and comfort without the risk of pinch flats.