The all-new Maxxis Rambler and Re-Fuse are part of the company’s Gravel / Adventure range. We first caught sight of these tires at Interbike 2015 (check out their prototype snow stud tire at that link). Since then, Bobby of Maxxis was kind enough to send Gravel Cyclist a pair of the Rambler and Re-Fuse tires (tyres) to ran the gamut of testing.
Maxxis Rambler
Marketed as the premium gravel and dirt road tire by Maxxis – for hard pack and loose over hard – the Rambler has been extensively tested prior to release, including many miles under Rebecca Rusch, who finished 3rd at 2015 Dirty Kanza 200, aboard the Rambler sans flats or other tire issues over the course of the race.
The Rambler is a 700c x 40mm tubeless ready tire (TR) available in two variants:
- 60TPI, carbon bead with the company’s Silkshield flat protection technology, gravel-specific tread pattern and dual-compound construction for longevity. Manufacturer’s weight is 435 grams.
- 120TPI, carbon bead with the company’s EXO sidewall protection technology, gravel-specific tread pattern and dual-compound construction for longevity. Manufacturer’s weight is 390 grams.
Breaking the typical norms associated with tire testing, we’ll be riding the Ramblers in two continents – North America and Australia. JOM of Gravel Cyclist is heading to his homeland in January, and is really looking forward to riding them on the amazing roads close to Adelaide, South Australia!
Update – Check out our comprehensive Maxxis Rambler Review HERE.
Maxxis Re-Fuse
The Re-Fuse has been part of the Maxxis line-up a long time, and is marketed as the company’s training tire. With the ever growing popularity of gravel cycling, Maxxis released the venerable Re-Fuse in a high volume variant, complete with the same diamond-knurled slick design tread pattern of the narrower, pavement-going models.
The Re-Fuse is a tubeless ready tire (TR) and available in three variants:
- 700c x 32mm, 60TPI, carbon bead with the company’s MaxxShield flat protection technology and dual-compound rubber. Manufacturer’s weight is 390 grams.
- 700c x 40mm, 60TPI, carbon bead with the company’s MaxxShield flat protection technology and dual-compound rubber. Manufacturer’s weight is 520 grams.
- 27.5″ (650B) x 2.0″, 60TPI, carbon bead with the company’s MaxxShield flat protection technology and dual-compound rubber. Manufacturer’s weight is 610 grams
The Gravel Cyclist crew has the Re-Fuse 700c x 40mm variant for testing.
Update – It was a while coming, but the Maxxis Re-Fuse review can see seen HERE.
As soon as I need new tires, I will get a pair of the Re-fuse. Exactly what I have been hoping to find.
Great to see another manufacturer producing tires in this size. It is no longer a one-horse show!
ReFuse with sealant?? Would take a drive by shooting to get a puncture on them now!
G’day Harley! I’ll be aboard the Ramblers in Oz, but looking forward to rolling the ReFuse’s a little later on. See ya soon!
Is the Re-Fuse 700x40mm true 40mm wide? Concluding from some web pictures and a youtube vid, it seems much narrower than that when installed on a rim.
Matej, we haven’t tested this tyre yet… it is on the to-do list.
Its been a long while, month, no test! 🙁
Sorry Bob, so much to do, so little time and I have a regular job too. Hopefully sometime in the not too distant future…
Rolling em for a month now. 500 miles… no issues. They are heavy compared to compass 35s. I’d say undersized. 40.5mm after weeks on 23.5mm Id rims (stans mk iii). Grip real well. 45 psi max. Seem durable, so heavy. “The weight is a sign of reliability, if it doesn’t work you can hit hit them with it”
I bet they have stronger side walls than Compass.
Hey guys. How’s everyone’s long term experience with these? I bought 2 pairs for my wife and I to bikepack on, and after around 1000kms (90/10 road/gravel) both sets have developed large bubbles, like the outer casing is delaminating. I’ve emailed Maxxis who don’t reply. Anyone else had the same issues? Pretty disappointed…
Good luck here but I’ve heard of this issue from a rider or two. You should reach out to Maxxis for warranty.
I should clarify, mine are the 700cx32mm TLR version. The local LBS shut down shortly after purchase, I’m in Australia, have reached out to Maxxis numerous times via email, I get no response. Here’s a link to the bubbles forming https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZniPMSOCVXW04f-UdmwAtQb54sC9-BZn/view?usp=sharing