To achieve these goals, Maxxis discarded the old thinking about the limits of rubber technology. A simple dual compound tire could offer great grip for braking down the center and slow rebounding on the side lugs for carving corners, but would still allow tall knobs to squirm, making them more susceptible to tearing and chunking off.

By adding a third harder layer of rubber under the tread at the base of the knobs, Maxxis is able to provide less knob flex for longer tread life, and a more stable ride in hard off-camber landings. The 42a crown offers unparalleled braking performance; the 40a shoulder knobs grip corners without rebounding to bounce the tire off hard obstacles; and the 70a base layer lessens knob flex, decreasing rolling resistance and increasing tire wear life.