Tyres like the High Roller and Wet Scream sat alongside the original Minion and quickly gained recognition as legendary tread patterns. Maxxis rarely put a foot wrong when it comes to tyre design.
Standard kit on the near faultless Canyon Sender downhill bike (a firm favourite of ours) these tyres were left on and not changed. From the first ride it was clear that this choice of rubber fitted the bill with a good blend of ride characteristics and strength. This latest evolution of the classic Minion design was more than up to the job in hand – fast tyres for a very rapid bike.
‘With tubeless DH versions coming as well as broader 2.6” widths this tyre is still evolving’
Maxxis, as always offers plenty of variations and specs when it comes to choosing one of their tyres. Sure, they’re not a cheap option, but it’s got be stressed that premium rubber is an essential not an afterthought on any descent mountainbike. It’s an area where money is very well spent.
So, with a full makeover, Maxxis set out to make Minion DHR II just that bit better – a tough job as this tyre really excelled in dry, steep and loose terrain as well as being a predictable choice in mixed conditions. In fact it thrives in anything other than proper mud. Maxxis took the aggressive shoulder tread from the well-regarded Minion DHF front specific design, beefed them up and added them to the DHR II design adding yet more cornering ability. The centre tread has been tweaked with more ramps and sipes giving this tyre the speed, which it’s known for, with no compromise to braking traction.
It’s an impressive tyre this latest Minion DHR II. As on the Canyon Sender when run on the front as well as the rear it makes for an awesome pairing. With a high volume 2.4” width of the now default 27.5” tyre size, the 3C Maxx Grip is the way to go. The triple rubber compound has a touch slower rebound qualities than the Super Tacky compound and works well in dry conditions but with tubeless DH versions coming as well as broader 2.6” widths this tyre is still evolving. A step up from the original design in many ways, the Minion DHR II is our choice for a downhill tyre for dry conditions.
With our testing of e-bikes, we’ve now encountered the new and truly game changing 27Plus version of this tyre. In a 2.8″ width, this high volume tyre was the finishing touch to the Merida EOne-Sixty – currently one of the most accomplished e-bikes we’ve tested. It’s not cheap rubber, at nearly £80 each end but it’s the best 27Plus tyre we’ve tested.
PRICE: £51.99 – £62.99 (27.5″), From £79.99 (27Plus 2.8″)
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