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Maxxis Minion DHR II Tires

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Best Aggressive Rear Tire on the Market?
Team Robot shares his thoughts.
Rating:
Vital Review
MaxxisDHR3CMTDHA

If you're hard on rear tires and like to smash things on the regular, the 2.5 Maxxis DHR II in 3C MaxxTerra compound with DH casing may be best tire on the market if you don't mind lugging around a little extra weight. While the tread pattern is pushing 15 years old, it's the configuration that makes the tire a standout. Not the hardest compound in the Maxxis' lineup, the 3C MaxxTerra provides a solid mix of durability and traction. The 2.5 width adds air volume for absorbing bumps, and the protection for the DH casing means flat tires will be minimized when running over rocks.

Coming from a 2.4 wire bead dual-compound DHR II, the 2.5 in this configuration wins in wet conditions, damping characteristics and feel on trail.

Watch the video, learn Charlie's thoughts and argue about his conclusion in the comments.

 

Rate review:
1
TEAMROBOT
11/7/2025 8:23am

27 comments

Post a reply to: Best Aggressive Rear Tire on the Market?

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Tanner_Carl
5 months ago

I have 500 hard ebike miles on the 2.5" DHR II, 3C MaxxTerra DH casing rear tire this ride season. I will never buy another rear tire again. 

Mostly because I don't think this thing will ever wear out or flat, but if an act of god takes place, I will be buying another 2.5" DHR II, 3C MaxxTerra DH

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2supple
5 months ago

Everybody knows Kryptotal rear and Maxxis front. Kryptotal doesn’t wear out in five rides. 

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The Enginerd
5 months ago

I’ve tried a lot of tires, and agree on the 2.5 DHR2 as my favorite rear tire for rowdy riding. 
One thing to add that I didn’t see/hear is that these tires wear in a linear, predictable manner over the life of the tire, compared to some other tires that are also great when new, but either the casing or the tread dies a quick and not predictable death. 

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hbelly13
5 months ago

You had me at Hard On. 🤘☠️🤣

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bulletbass man
5 months ago

I don’t pay full price for tires but I don’t mind snagging these when they are on discount.

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Ahab
5 months ago

Have always run Maxxis but once prices creeped into the 3 digits, I became a Krypto-bro. 

Twenty bucks is twenty bucks, if you know what I mean

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thresh
5 months ago

unrelated note, but you look good in those pants TEAMROBOT!  What brand/model are those?

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thresh
5 months ago

I think Kryptotal Rear in Soft beats anything, both stopping-power wise and longevity. 

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ahleic09
5 months ago

I really wish Michelin still made the wild rock’r. It was a great tire but especially good on the rear. 

Conti kryptotal is a solid consolation 

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selliott
5 months ago

Riding in SoCal like a few others and I’ve been liking the wear of the conti kryptotal. My only issue with it has been it feeling a bit more squared off than other tires. Not sure if anyone else has felt like this but I feel like leaning into corners it breaks traction when leaned over just a bit earlier than a dhr. But still for the wear life it’s my tire of choice in an enduro casing. 

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Digit Bikes
5 months ago

Those ramped knobs do lose that thin veneer of soft rubber very quickly. But that doesn't stop this being my go to rear tire too.

If they made the harder rubber a different color as an indicator to show when the soft stuff is exhausted might be interesting - though that might just be depressing. I don't think I'd complain if the softer layer were twice as deep but a little bit squirmier. 

Though I've not yet tried it on my own bike yet, a number of people have recommended the Aggressor to me. It seems like it's square blocks might last longer.

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DustOnCrust
5 months ago

Aggressor is a trail tread pattern, not a gravity tire - it is closer to a Specialized Purgatory. It is reasonable compromise if you want to roll fast & loose in the rear, but it is by no means a "better wearing" DHR alternative.

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bikeboardorblade
5 months ago

I wonder if Maxxis made some changes to the compound? My friends and I haven't had very good luck with MaxxTerra DHR II's. Up front I can expected life out MaxxGrip, but need something more durable out back. DD Dual compound Aggressor lasts forever if you don't need a DHR II. As @toast2266 said the Conti's have done well so far.

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toast2266
5 months ago

I've had shit luck with the current DHR2 Maxxterra DH.  The side knobs undercut and are completely destroyed after like 10-12 days of riding.  The center knobs still have a little life left, but the side knobs are just gone.  Gone through 3 tires with the same results.  Switched to Conti Kryptotal.  Even in a supersoft, it lasts longer than the maxxterra (and also rolls faster and brakes better.  Not as good on wet stuff though).

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TEAMROBOT
5 months ago

Interesting feedback, thanks for sharing your experience. Out of curiosity, where are you riding and what kind of dirt/rocks/roots do your tires see? I'm in SoCal, ride on lots of rocks, and I had the opposite experience, where my center knobs wore quicker the side knobs on this tire.

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toast2266
5 months ago

I've run them in France on some trips, and I've also run them in Whistler / BC.  Same results.  This is a pic from one of the France trips - tire has around 10 days on it.  A little hard to tell in the pic, but all the side knobs are hanging on by a thread.  

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Werewolflotion
5 months ago

I wonder if rider weight is a factor, I'm a lot lighter than my two main riding buddies and they go through tires way faster than me. I weigh 145lbs and run a DD DHR II MaxTerra, takes at least 500-600 miles of steep rocky east coast single track for me to wear one out.

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Grmasterd1
5 months ago

I think there maybe something to this. I'm around 140lbs, some buddies around 180lbs seem to wear through tires and brakes faster than me. Riding style certainly contributes but i think system weight plays a role as well. 

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toast2266
5 months ago

I'd certainly believe that rider weight has a big effect on tire wear.  I'm not that big though - 165ish.  Feels like a mid compound $110 tire should last me more than two weeks of mixed park / pedaling. 

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trexyz
5 months ago

Got the same result after a week of riding in the bike park. Great tire overall, but after a week of heavy use they’re pretty much done. Switched to Conti and recently tried Onza surprisingly good, though a bit pricey in my area.


 

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7willmorris
5 months ago

Yeah I second this. 10-20 days of proper enduro bike terrain riding is what I get out of a maxxterra DHR II (if I don’t rip a hole in it first). Currently on a Kryptol that’s close to double that and it’s still going strong. I find the Continental DH casing noticeably stiffer and more of a slog to pedal though despite it having a lower claimed weight

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TEAMROBOT
5 months ago

I agree that the wear rate on the Kryptotals as a rear tire is super impressive. I'm not in love with the Conti DH casing, as I think it's weirdly squirmier but also more wooden feeling than the Maxxis DH casing. So yeah, I think my all-rounder rear tire podium looks like:
1. Maxxis DHR2 Maxxterra 2.5" DH casing (the tire I reviewed here). Not the best wear rate, but way better than a MaxxGrip and 95% of the ride feel for me)

2. Conti Kryptotal Super Soft DH Casing. Longer wearing, similar or maybe better grip, but less impressed with the carcass.

3. Maxxis 2.5" Minion DHF Dual Compound DH casing. Super long lasting, but harsher on bumps and less mechanical grip due to firmer compound.

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toast2266
5 months ago

I like the Maxxis DH casing when it's fresh, but I find that it gets pretty soft and squirmy in the latter half of the tire's life.   I end up bumping my pressure up a few psi towards the end of the tires lifespan.   I find the contis are a little more wooden to start, but they don't get as soft later in their life. 

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Grmasterd1
5 months ago

I got some Conti DH tires due to a lot of recommendations. Great grip but not a fan of the feel of sidewall support. Seems very sensitive to PSI, and can't get that 'goldielocks' feeling. Either to stiff or squirmy, but never a good balance. 

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Suns_PSD
5 months ago

This happens to me as well but it's because the tire is so square that you are only on the edge knobs when leaned over and it doesn't spread out the force. IMO.

2 member reviews

Nice rear tire
Rating:
The Good
They roll pretty decent and are very predictable going downhill. I run about 30psi and haven’t had any pinch flats and wear seems good.
The Bad
I have had traction issues when climbing and the dirt is dry. I have to make sure I’m in the saddle with weight over it.
Overall Review:

Good tire and will definitely buy it again

Rate review:
1
dstn_shepherd
8/9/2018 8:57am

2 comments

Post a reply to: Nice rear tire

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Suns_PSD
5 months ago

I have a DHR2 2.5 DH on the back of my e-bike currently (well on my 27.5" rear wheel) and I find it to be too flat across on a 29mm ID rear wheel. This flatness hinders handling/ turning with little advantage over more rounded tires (i.e. Aggressor 2.5, Albert 2.6, Martello 2.6) in absolute traction as the not so good trade off.

 

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jerrywillows
5 months ago

you guys are sleeping on Specialized Butcher/Cannibals....  way cheaper and more durable than Maxxis.  Been super impressed with Conti's as well.   Maxxis is $151 CDN and the DHR wears out way too quick

2
Good grip to weight ratio
Rating:
The Good
Tread design, ease of install, lighter weight than the DHF.
The Bad
The sidewall doesn't hold up to rough trails.
Overall Review:

Initial Impressions

The Maxxis Minion has been a favorite tire of mine since 2011. I have used it quite aggressively and had great performance.  I purchased a new bike in 2016 that came specced with this as the rear tire.  The idea seemed good to me.  A slightly lighter tire in the rear with a different tread pattern designed to bite more for pedaling grip etc.  I had already spent a lot on my bike and I didn't see any reason to switch.

Function

Installing the DHR II doesn't take too much effort.  Their tubeless bead holds well while still being easy to put on the rim and take off when needed.  The tread pattern does well while pedaling and I have always felt confident in the corners.  The DHR II provides a lot of traction.  I would suggest it for all mountain riding.  It has handled bike park days really well too.

Durability

The two durability issues that come up with tires are tread wear, and sidewall punctures.  The DHR II has a performed well for me with the tread wear.  I have gotten approximately 500 miles of riding on the tire each time.  It would have lasted longer if it wasn't for unlucky sidewall slices.  Both times I punctured the sidewall were on trails with really sharp rocks.  Maxxis offers another version of this tire with thier double down wall reinforcement, but at $65-75 depending on sales etc, I hoped to see this tire have better sidewall protection.  I have gone through three of these tires in two years, so that isn't awful considering how much I have ridden on them.

Bottom Line

Maxxis makes a great tire, and the DHR II is no exception.  It is the perfect tire for a rider who is looking to maximize grip and keeping the weight in control.  The price is a bit high for me but they last a long time barring any sidewall trouble.  If you ride exclusively downhill or have tons of sharp rocks on your local trails, I would consider another option.  

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dbodoggle
1/30/2018 10:50am

0 comments

Post a reply to: Good grip to weight ratio

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Specifications

Product
Maxxis Minion DHR II Tires
Intended Use
Downhill
Freeride / Bike Park
Trail
Wheel Size
26"
27.5" (650b)
29"
Tire Width
Option 1: 2.3 inches
Option 3:: 2.4 inches
Option 4: 2.5 inches
Option 4: 2.6 inches
Option 5: 2.8 inches
Option 6: 3.0 inches
Tubeless Compatible
Tubeless Ready (TR) available
Bead
Foldable
Durometer
3C MaxxTerra, 3C MaxxGrip, Dual Compound, Single Compound, or Super Tacky Compound options
Sidewall
60 TPI Single Ply or 120 TPI Dual Ply
EXO, EXO+, DD (Double Down), or DH (Downhill) casing options
Weight
From: 1 lb 10.6 oz (755 g)
To: 2 lb 4.7 oz (1,040 g)
Miscellaneous
3C MaxxTerra
An intermediate compound configuration that is softer and offers more traction yet provides better treadwear and less rolling resistance.

3C MaxxGrip
Uses the softest rubber compounds to offer more grip and slow rebound properties for improved traction in downhill applications.

EXO Casing
A cut-resistant and abrasion-resistant material added to the sidewalls. This densely woven fabric is lightweight and flexible, ensuring that tire performance is unaffected. Good for rocky trails where there's the chance of sidewall cuts and abrasion is high.

EXO+ Casing (pre-2022)
120 TPI; combines SilkShield and EXO protection materials for improved tread puncture protection. The SilkShield layer runs from bead-to-bead with a layer of EXO along the sidewalls.

EXO+ Casing (2022 update)
60 TPI; with butyl insert around the bead, for more protection and support (50% more puncture resistant and up to 20% less prone to snakebites compared to the previous generation).

Double Down (DD) Casing
The next step in the evolution of the dual-ply tire casing for enduro racing. Two 120 TPI casing layers reinforced with a butyl insert provide the support and protection of a downhill tire but in a lighter package.

DH Casing with Butyl Insert Protection
An extra piece of butyl rubber that extends from the bead of a downhill tire up into the sidewall helping prevent pinch flats, protects the rim from hard hits, and adds sidewall stability.

Wide trail (WT) Construction
Optimizes the tire tread layout and profile on wider rims (30-35mm inner widths).
Price
From: $64.00
To: $108.00
More Info

Maxxis website​

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Where To Buy
Free shipping on orders over $49 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $49 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
$105.00
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
$43.00
Free U.S. shipping on everything.
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free U.S. shipping on everything.
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
$82.00
Free shipping on orders over $69 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $69 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
$83.00
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