Maxxis has finally released its new DHX model and downhill casing that’s been raced by World Cup athletes for the past two seasons. The spy shots have been plenty, and the anticipation has been high as they’ve already raced to a few victories and podiums on a mix of tracks.
New DH Casing Highlights | Minion DHX Highlights |
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DHX Details
So is the DHX the DHF replacement? Maxxis didn’t deliberately state this, and they’re still going to make the DHF going forward. However, it won’t be offered in the new DH casing. Instead, they’re going to push it as more of a trail or enduro tire. Regardless, it seems fair to assume that the iconic DHF will continue to fade out of popularity now that a newer, presumably better-performing dry/front tire exists.
The DHX is touted as a front or rear tread developed to give races more support and stability. Maxxis says it rolls as fast and brakes as well as a DHRII thanks to large, ramped center knobs that have a wide braking edge. The side knobs have been increased (compared to a DHF) and have shallower siping to reduce knob flexing when leaning over. With the side and center knobs nice and big, the gap between them is small, shortening the lag in traction as you transition between them.
Knob height appears to be similar or a touch deeper than an Assegai, but not as deep as a High Roller III.
The DHX is positioned as the tire for ‘fast, high-load conditions for dry conditions.’ I haven’t ridden the tire yet, but I’d wager most will use the DHX up front paired with a DHRII out back (or whatever tire you prefer). That’s the setup we’ve seen used most at World Cups. I do wonder if the DHX will become more of an Assegai replacement than a DHF replacement for many riders. The Assegai seems more popular than the DHF nowadays, and is a solid tire for most conditions. However, its sheer number of knobs and shallower depth make it less ideal as trails get deeper, looser, and rougher. The DHX looks like it’ll be equally as versatile, but will dig in better in loose soil and offer more predictability. A tire that will split the difference between the Assegai and High Roller III nicely.
The Minion DHX is available (for now) only with Maxxis’ new DH casing in either 27.5- or 29-inch wheel size and MaxxGrip or MaxxTerra compounds for $116 USD. It’s available now at maxxis.com.
New DH Casing
I want first to appreciate that Maxxis didn’t get all fancy with the naming—new DH—we all get it. Like the DHX, the casing was developed for and by racers who were chasing more support and durability.
There is now a harder butyl insert and an extra protection layer in the sidewall. Casing layers have been changed from dual-ply 60 to dual-ply 120 TPI. This is the same as Maxxis’ DoubleDown casing, however, the new DH uses a different casing material, and the overlap of the layers extends further across the tire.
The combination of a burlier sidewall but thinner carcass layers creates what Maxxis is calling ‘progressive casing stiffness.’ How I interpret this is that the tire can handle a lot of energy without folding, but under the tread it's more compliant. They actually say you can expect to run 2-3psi less pressure than you did with the old casing because now you don’t need to set pressure with sidewall stability or puncture resistance in mind. You then also reap the added benefit of a slower rebounding tire. Let me see your radial tires do that! 
The new casing does bump up the weight of every tire model it's offered in. It’s by less than 100g for most tires, but it does push a few models over the 1,500g mark. That’s pretty dang heavy, but it's also for downhill, so it’s a bit more acceptable.
Tires with the new casing are available now and include the DHX, Assegai, DHRII, High Roller III, and Dissector. Tire packaging and the sidewall patch will both include new branding to signify the updated casing.
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View key specs, compare tires, and review the newest Maxxis Minion DHX in the Vital MTB Product section.
Assuming the pit-scavenged test pilot tires a couple of local bros have brought by the shop are at least very similar to the final “New DH” casing, that new high-hardness butyl insert is insanely stiff. It seems borderline impossible to puncture that sidewall, and the support must be significant. The rest of the tire didn’t feel too different from DH casings of the past.
Interesting that Maxxis is pushing a new casing with which they encourage riders to drop pressure when other brands are pushing a more pliable radial casing and more psi.
Would love to give it a go when it shows up in Exo +
But about the lower pressure, slower rebound than radials, meh ok, although I have to yet try something that goes better than radials in conforming to everything in sight and holding on to it
I ran michelin enduro race chasing with the ultra sticky, slow rebound magi x dh compound, at 14psi, still less grip than a Mary trail at 25 🤷🏼♂️
I would have to imagine this new stiffer sidewall will see less riders needing to run an insert in the tire to prevent pinch flats. What was your impression @Jason_Schroeder ?
I think that's a fair assumption. Maxxis had no mention of this explicitly in the launch material, but reducing pinch flats/rim impacts was def a top priority when they developed the casing.
So far I can only find new DH for the DHX and not the other patterns said to be releasing immediately
I want to believe, but the schwalbe radial magic mary is just sooooo good
I’m hoping it works for High Roller 3 front and DHX rear.
I wonder how this 2x120 tpi casing feels compared to double down. I feel like double down dampens sharp hits to the bike slightly but doesn't provide much if any additional sidewall support in the most extreme situations then exo+ does. That being said, DD's definitely feel more compliant and conform to things like roots better then the previous 2x60 dh casing did. Sounds like this is the best of all worlds...save the weight.
@Jason_Schroeder I'd be really interested to get your take on DHX vs. HR3 for summer California conditions. Especially on trails where it quickly changes from hardpack to dust over hard to inches deep moon dust filling invisible ruts and bomb holes.
"Maxxis says it rolls as fast and brakes as well as a DHRII" the DHR2 rolls fast? This is news to me
Agreed, I never really got on well with the DHR or DHRII. Always thought it rolled SO slow
DHR2 for sure rolls faster then an assegai or hr3. The maxx grip dhr2 as a front tire does many of the same things well that the hr3 does well, to a slightly lesser extent and a faster rolling feel.
I know it sounds crazy, but the 2.4 mg dhr2 is a slept on front tire for a 150ish trail bike. Now that the g2 dissector is out and available in mg... it would be tough to make a case for the dhr2 as a front, but if you're committing to side knobs well, the dhr2 will bite better once leaned over then a g2 dissector will.
Never tried tires heavier than 1380 g and I for sure will wait to hear what people think about the new dh-casing before i put a pair on my Raaw Madonna. One of the first "reviews" on YT had gotten a pair that weighed >1600 g.
Will deffs give them a go next time im in need of tires. Really wanna give their new maxxterra compound a try as well - very interested to see how well it holds up as the durability leaves something to be desired. Where I ride is super rocky and steep, but going through a brand new tire a little over halfway though summer is not ideal.
Much different casings and a lot more going on with the new DH vs DD. The butyl insert in the new DH is waaaaaaaaaay stiffer than the old one or what’s found in the DD casing. It also has different geometry-thicker at the base near the bead and tapers as it goes up the sidewall. I believe it’s also taller than the insert in DD so it extends higher up the sidewall. And then the sidewalls are topped with a layer of EXO for additional cut protection.
I’m no longer at Maxxis, but I was working on this launch up until my last day. Stoked to finally see it out in the wild and interested to hear what everyone thinks about the new tread and casing.
How far off is the HR3 DH casing? The construction feels unique for Maxxis, but I never heard this confirmed or explained.
It has a revised butyl insert-not sure if it’s the exact same specs as the new DH-but otherwise the casing is still the 2x60 TPI version.
Believe it or not, the DHR2 has been the fastest rolling Maxxis DH tire for a long time, faster than the DHF, Assegai, HR2, HR3, Shorty, everything. That's why Greg ran DHR2's front and rear (2.3 EXO casing, I think?) on his World Champs bike in Pietermaritzburg in 2013. It was a gamble to run such thin tires on the DH track, and he famously hit a rock and got a leak on the rear tire in his race run, such that it was completely flat within a minute of crossing the finish line.
That was 13 years ago, so the DHR2 has been the fastest Maxxis DH tread for at least that long.
NSMB had a cool look at the bike back then. Santa Cruz kept it on their showroom floor with a permanently flat rear tire, which is awesome: https://nsmb.com/articles/greg-minnaar-2013-world-champs-bike/
Maxxis website has the DHR2 on the same level as HR3, slightly slower than DHF. Makes sense looking at and riding them IMO.
Excited to try this casing. Currently on DDxCC combo to get a progressive fast rebounding tire to match my suspension.
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