[Squirrel]

The Crossmax Enduro wheel-tire system is a race-specific setup designed for the increasingly popular enduro racing format. It also is a wheelset that plain makes sense for a lot of riders with no racing aspirations whatsoever. We went to France and rode the piss out of `em. Here's what we found.

First Impressions: 2014 Mavic Crossmax Enduro Wheels, Tires and Shoes.

 

[Tjaard]

Several statements about tire performance seem based in fiction, rather than fact:

"<i> ...narrower tires in the rear for better rolling resistance</i>"
How is that?
The only tests I have ever heard showed narrower tires to have HIGHER rolling resistance.

"<i>... a rounder shape, reducing the contact patch and increasing rolling speed</i>"
The SIZE of the contact patch is not changed by the shape of the tire, solely by tire pressure. A rounder cross-section might lead to a LONGER contact patch, but that would only INCREASE the rolling resistance.
Also, a smaller contact patch (higher pressure) leads to HIGHER rolling resistance off-road, not lower like on smooth pavement.