Maxxis Assegai Tire - 29 x 2.6 [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

There is a reason why the majority of bikes you see have Maxxis tires on them. They just work. When it comes to grippy tires, the Assegai might just be the king. Our customer was looking for ultimate grip and found it in the Maxxis Assegai. Check out his review to get his thoughts on the tire!

Overview

After a few sketchy rides on my new 2020 Trek Fuel EX8, it was apparent that the stock tires did not match my expert skill level. Whether it be an unexpected washout or a sidewall gash, one wrong move could end my career as Most Supreme Mountain Biker in North Texas. Like any serious professional, I usually reach straight for the venerable Maxxis DHF/DHR combo, but I wanted to take my riding to the next level on this bike, and nothing says I’m serious about traction like choosing a tire that is pronounced “Ass Guy.”

First Impressions

Fast forward a week and the Assegai was in my hands thanks to the fine gentlemen and gentlewomen at Worldwide Cyclery. Out of the box, I was first struck by the natural beauty of The Assegai. The Assegai has a beautiful, black appearance that is unlike any other tire I have ever seen. Whereas most tires are black, The Assegai is 100% devoid of any color, which looks fantastic and has important thermal absorption characteristics that improve traction in cold climates. What also struck me was the artisanal rubber smell of The Assegai. Readers should know that Maxxis forms their tires from only the finest Taiwanese rubber compounds, and the Assegai is no exception. The smell is so wonderful that I even ordered another Assegai just a few days ago in order to coarsely grind it into rhomboid-shaped pieces that I will use to scent my nightly bubble baths. And I made sure to order the Wide Trail version for this purpose, as the shape of the tire plays an important role in the scent.

Installation

Readers will also be eager to learn that the Assegai meets my standards of ease of installation. Any tire that will not seal with only a floor pump and no sealant I immediately throw into the trash and pay a collection service to dispose of it so that I never have to touch or see it again. The Assegai meets these standards and is thus a great value, since these disposal services are quite pricey and double or even triple the overall cost of the tire.

Performance

On the trail, the Assegai offers superb traction that only serious mountain bikers can appreciate. There are only three riders in North Texas who are worthy of this tire, and I am one of them. Whereas the Maxxis DHF has a gap in the tread between the center and side knobs, the Assegai has no gap, which suits my aggressive riding style. There’s no worse feeling than being in a hardcore turning situation and wondering whether or not I am using the center or side lugs of a tire. With the Assegai, I know that I am using the lugs in between the center and outer lugs, which gives me a huge psychological boost that has even translated into my personal and professional life.

Final Thoughts

One final thing to note about the Assegai is that I wanted to make sure that other, inferior riders on the trail could see the improved tread pattern of the Assegai even in dusty and muddy conditions. After reaching out to Dow Chemicals, I ordered a custom polyurethane coating designed specifically for the tread pattern of the Assegai. According to Dow Chemicals, this coating even preserves the scent of the rubber, which is another added bonus. The Assegai polyurethane coating is a pricey upgrade, but I highly recommend it for anybody looking to get the most out of their investment.