Maxxis Re-Fuse 700x25C tyres

Maxxis' Re-Fuse folding tyres are reasonably tough and dependable for training and general riding. However, there are better options if you really wanted to blast along in monsoon conditions.

Ours were in a 25mm width, which is becoming more fashionable than 23s these days, although there's also a 28mm version should you fancy some additional comfort, and clearances on your bike allow. Talking of trendy, there's also red or blue if colour coordination is important to you...

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The 60tpi (threads per inch) casings, with puncture-repelling belts running edge to edge, bode well in terms of durability and reliability. And after 200 very wet miles there's been no hint of the dreaded hiss, plus, aside from extracting an embedded sharp or two, no damage to the casings.

The tyres feature a herringbone tread pattern and aren't direction-specific, which makes fitting that bit simpler when you're in a rush. Mounting/remounting is moderately difficult by folding standards – 30 seconds with my workshop type tyre wand, but otherwise we are talking four decent composite levers, three minutes and some primal grunting.

Using Vee Rubber Rain Runners, which we tested last year, as controls, and run at identical pressures (115psi) during our formative 100 miles, the Re-Fuses delivered a less compliant and responsive ride over roads of varying surface quality. They were still rewarding, though, and could never be described as harsh.

Heavy rain didn't inspire the same confidence as the Rain Runners either. When I say wet, I mean waterlogged: lanes with bearded Noah-esque figures hastily building arks. Pushed beyond 28mph on a 1-in-7, I felt split second losses of traction but never felt I'd go rubber up, and in no danger of bringing my riding companions crashing to earth in an undignified, expensive heap.

This theme remained unchanged when carving into S bends and similarly tight sections – fully predictable to 23/24mph, which is quite quick enough in these contexts. Slicing through some iced dung at these speeds, the Re-Fuses felt competent and provided ample feedback before grip threatened to relent.

Having made these comparisons, I've run them as a pair for the past 200 miles, and in most contexts they've delivered. Pressure-wise, 120psi is tops, but experimentation suggests 112psi delivers the best balance of traction, rolling resistance and comfort.

> Need tyres for the winter? Check out our guide to the best here

Through town, the relatively tough casings have fended off shards of glass and other sharps very convincingly, and they've made a good transition to fixed duties. Think sensibly deployed combinations of lever and transmission braking, not epic skid stops.

Again, wet manhole covers, diesel and similar spillages had my senses screaming with alarm, but mistakes were down to rider miscalculation rather than tyre compound.

So, minor misgivings aside, I've been pleasantly surprised by the Re-Fuses and while wet weather grip lacks the tenacity of some, it's dependable and on par with others at this price point.

Verdict

Decent every-day/training tyres but foul weather grip is good rather than great