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Tech review - March 31, 2004
Maxxis Columbiere
Choice of a new generation
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One of new generation of road racing tyres recently released by Maxxis, the Columbiere is the company's option for top-level road racing. Cyclingnews' Chief Online Editor Jeff Jones takes it through the Aussie-Belgian torture test.
Established in 1967 as a bicycle and motorcycle tyre manufacturing company, Maxxis International continues to make a name for itself in the road market, sponsoring several professional cycling teams, including Health Net presented by Maxxis, Jittery Joe's, Colavita Olive Oil Pro Cycling Team, Sierra Nevada and the women's T-Mobile team. Already well known in the mountain bike sector, Maxxis is on its way to becoming one of the big players on the road in the next few years.
In 2003, I tested a couple of the Maxxis road tyres, the Xenith Hors Categorie (racing) and the Detonator (training). I was impressed with both of them overall, so I was certainly keen to get my grease-stained hands on a pair of the new Maxxis Columbiere road tyres and put them through their paces.
Features
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The Columbiere is a 700x23c foldable (aramid bead) tyre with a grooved slick design. It's light at 225 grams and can be pumped up to 130 psi. As with its predecessor, the Xenith Hors Categorie, the Columbiere features a 120 threads-per-inch (TPI) casing. Its tread is made out of Maxxis compound 62a, one of the company's hardest wearing compounds. In addition, the Columbiere has a "2-Ply Nylon Breaker" for increased puncture resistance. It comes in one simple colour: black.
Testing conditions
The first part of the testing was done in relatively dry conditions in Australia, but the tyre was in for a rude shock when it eventually got to Belgium. February was, shall we say, rather a poor month for working on one's tan. There seemed to be a certain dampness in the air and on the roads, which could have been due to the snow/rain/hail/sleet/drizzle, not forgetting of course the ubiquitous Belgian mud.
I'm now convinced that the trucks that put salt on the roads also distribute a mixture of fresh dirt and stones every night, so that there is enough to cover every vehicle the next day. Of course, this must be to prop up the Belgian cleaning product, automobile and bicycle industries. A sort of forced obsolescence, if you like.
I can also assure you, dear readers, that I had no qualms about testing the Maxxis Columbiere in these conditions, and there were even cobbles thrown in for free. As a result, my bike needed three days in intensive care at the local bike shop due to some severe cases of Accelerated Component Death (ACD).
Wear
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I was once again impressed with the Maxxis' durability. Despite the adverse conditions, I still managed to get approximately 3500-4000 km out of a tyre mounted on the rear. In fact the tread was still in good condition when I was forced to, ahem, retire the Columbiere due to a glass cut. Even in perfect conditions, this is very good wear for a lightweight racing tyre. And for a cheapskate like me who goes through many tyres per year, every kilometre counts.
Performance
Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to test the Columbiere under true racing conditions, although I did do plenty of fast bunch rides with it. I did find that the tyre felt very safe when cornering, either in the dry or the wet. I only recall slipping once, and that was on the steepest part of the Paterberg (20 percent and cobbled) in the wet - which could also be attributed to my riding technique!
The only thing I could fault the Columbiere with was the slightly harder ride it gave compared to some soft compound tyres.This is only a minor nitpick and it would never stop me riding on these tyres. The durability is worth it, and the Columbiere is certainly not an uncomfortable tyre.
Overall
The Maxxis Columbiere is one of the best clinchers I've ridden. Apart from its light weight, the tyre performed excellently in all weather conditions and was extremely durable. Perhaps a little comfort has been sacrificed for durability, but I'll take that any day.
Recommended retail price: US$42.00
Claimed weight: 225g
Threads-per-inch: 120
Colour: Black only
Pro: Light, excellent wear, very good road performance
Con: Slightly harder ride
More information: Maxxis
website
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