THIS SITE USES GOOGLE ANALYTICS TO ANALYSE TRAFFIC. CONTINUING TO USE THIS SITE MEANS YOU ACCEPT THE USE OF COOKIES.WE DO NOT COLLECT PERSONAL DATA LEARN MORE OR SEE OUR PRIVACY POLICY
SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE JULY 23rd
HOW DO WE REACH THE OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Maxxis Rambler Silk Shield Tubeless Ready Gravel Tyres
524g 700x40c 60tpi £49.99
The Maxxis Rambler 700x40c 60Tpi Silk Shield Tubeless Ready Gravel Tyres have been around since 2015, some might say as old as the modern gravel scene itself. However, in my experience, its longevity boils down to its versatility, choice of sizes, low rolling resistance and speed across asphalt. Something like its Ravager stablemate is a better choice for muddier, wintry conditions but the Rambler should be high on the list of anyone seeking most terrain, durable and puncture repelling rubber.
​
Pros: Excellent grip in most conditions, unexpectedly swift across tarmac and hardpack surfaces, compliant ride quality, good choice of sizes, good puncture resistance, tubeless ready.
​
Cons: Consideration rather than con, but better choices for gloopy mud.
Specification
Ours were the 60tpi dual compound, tubeless ready versions but there’s a 120tpi option for those wanting it. Silk Shield puncture repelling technology works very well in my experrience, having tested and indeed, run several road and gravel models long term. Its essentially a lightweight weave that runs from bead to bead, offering excellent defence against sharps without adding undue heft, or impairing ride quality. The tread pattern is characterised by tightly packed, ramped centre knobs for speed across asphalt and hardpack, while the shoulders sport wider-spaced knobs for cornering bite in more changeable conditions.
Aside from 700c, they’re available in 650 and 27.5, catering for mountain bike and rough stuff touring builds, although only in 47mm and 1.5 inches respectively. 700c are offered in 38, 40, 45 and 50mm, which caters for most gravel and more modern rough stuff touring builds but might be a little on the portly side for more traditional cross rigs. Oh, and the 40mm versions are 6g lighter than their like-for-like Ravager, but share the same 35-60psi pressure range.
Fitting 4.25/5
In common with the Ravager (and indeed, most gravel tyres I’ve tested in the last 12 months or so), the Rambler have been incredibly easy to mount - I’ve done so using only my thumbs to 23 and 25mm rims. A single, common or garden resin lever is all you’ll need to sweep them off. I should point out that I’ve gone the tubed route, both butyl and TPU.
Test bike & contexts
Ours arriverd mid June, during a particularlky hot, dry spell, perfect testing conditoons, given the Rambler’s design brief. I was almost tempted to whip them aboard Muffin and expolore the build’s dirt road potential but decided against it, given the close to slick 40mm Continental Pure Contact come very close to tickling the front Mudhugger Gravel Hugger guard. Denise, my gravel build wasthe obvious choice in anycase. I was already running the Ravager front and rear. For the first 100 miles, I decided to stick with the Ravager as my rear “control” the Rambler up front.
Ride quality/handling 3.75/5
True to expectations, the Rambler were palpably quicker on metalled roads than the otherwise relatively perky Ravager and indeed, Pirelli Cinturato. Any component change can feel different for the first few rides, but as the miles racked up, their friskier persona was particularly apparent. Particularly on longer rides with a mix of climbs and descents, especially running TPU tubes, although bog standard butyl wasn’t far behind.
​
120tpi casings are seen as superior, but over the years, and many thousand miles, I’ve reached the conclusion that, all things being equal, 60tpi casings are more dependable, especially through winter. Besides, I’ve found TPU tubes add a subtle but tangible boost when accelerating or climbing and without compromising puncture resistance, although I always carry a couple of butyl spares should one strike.
Now, its worth mentioning that I learn toward 50/50 road and trail and found 45 psi, optimal, giving a decent blend of speed, tenure and compliance, dry and indeed wet. Higher and the ride quality feels relatively harsh, although not unduly skittish on metalled roads.
​
Bike moderately laden and pushedt to 30mph along winding descents, there’s been ample feedback, meaning I could gently correct as required. This playful, yet sure-footed persona makes for a lot of fun around town. Whether its weaving around holes, man hole covers, kamikaze pedestrians, or just powering away at the traffic light grand prix.
​
Far from the maddening crowd, run at their 35psi minimum provided excellent grip over looser surfaces, especially when ascending, although predictably, more tiring along hardpack dirt roasds and asphalt. Run tubed, 35psi was the time I succumbed to a pinch-flat. That said; the greater surface area could be a godsend on slimy November mornings, or those winter nights when the temperature’s tanking and you can almost see the frost forming before you.
​
Several hot dry weeks into testing, the sustained heat led to some thundery storms, which in turn washes diesel, oil and other deposits out from the verge. No loss of traction, or pregnant pauses when spinning along at a steady 20-23mph.
​
Mixing things up at this point, the shoulder knobs kept things predictable across wet, silty bridlepath and farm tracks provided there’s reasonable drainage. Wet mossy stuff required a little more conbcentration but there was ample feedback before a tangible loss of traction was apparent. The Rambler have bitten surprisingly well in softer mud, although the Ravager, and to a lesser extent WTB Nano TCS have a slight, but tangible edge here.
While the tread pattern is relatively close, and primarily designbed to excel in hardpack, they’ve not become slicks in modestly muddy conditions, seemingly employing water to flush mud, smaller stones and other potentially invasive sharps away before they could clog, or indeed, burrow into the casings.
That said, for winter, I’d be reaching for something more aggressive.
Puncture Resistance & Durability 3.75/5
Value 3.5/5
600 mixed terrain miles later, a single puncture, given my experience of the brands’ SilkShield puncture repelling technology. This was a tiny pinch flat and had the good grace to make itself known the following morning. Otherwise, no cuts, or similar damage to the casing which mirrors my experience of their Ravager stablemates. However, higher mileages coupled with a harsh winter and hedge clipping season might reveal some vulnerabilities.
Value 3.5/5
£49.99 is £5 cheaper than their Ravager stablemates, which I am generally very fond of. It’s a good bit cheaper than several other, popular models which have also impressed me to one degree, or another. Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M are another swift design, although the Rambler win by a nose across tarmac and hardpack. Again, I’m still quite fond of the WTB Nano TCS and their 120TPI WTB Nano SG2 siblings.
​
However, you’re limited to 40mm at £ 60 and £70 apiece respectively, they’re proportionately a good bit dearer and the 60tpi versions gave a slightly harsher ride at comparable pressures. Vittoria Terrano T50 are another model designed for mixed conditions. Slightly dearer at £54.99, they’re available in 700x40, 45 and 50mm sections, feature 100tpi Nylon casings with grapphine compounds, reinforced sidewalls and puncture repelling belts. Handling in mixed conditions is reputedly consistently good but they’re a little big for older framesets.
Summary
Ultimately, I can see why the Rambler have stood the test of time and remain justly popular. They’re a very capable gravel tyre that excel on hardpack, dry, loose and indeed, metalled surfaces.
​
That said, gravel means different things to different people and needs vary accordingly.
​
The Rambler are not radically superior to several others I’ve tested in the last year, or so, hence a very similar overall score. There are better choices for more challenging mud, however, the Rambler are particularly suited to those who are also doing moderate road mileages. The wide choice of sizes and decent puncture resistance also extends their horizons to moderately laden adventure touring builds, cyclo-cross and indeed, some mountain bike conversions.
Verdict: 3.75/5 Very competent gravel tyre particularly swift on hardpack with a similarly competitive price.
Michael Stenning
Madison.co.uk – The UK’s largest cycle parts & accessories distributor
PUBLISHED JULY 2025
