Tested: Maxxis Minion DHRII Wide Trail
Vital Reviewby Joel Harwood
Tire choice is a tough one. Every brand has a variety of tread patterns, casings, rubber compounds, and a never-ending list of acronyms. Maxxis led the industry with the Minion DHF and High Roller for eons, and other tire manufacturers were playing catch up. As more riders and bike manufacturers have transitioned to wider rims, Maxxis has updated some of their classic treads with a wider casing optimized for wide rims. Maxxis’ Wide Trail (WT) casing is optimized for rims with an internal width of 35mm, but also seems better suited to modern trail bikes than the relatively narrow 2.3” casing. It’s no secret that we’re Maxxis fans, so when we received a set of Minion DHRII WT tires, we mounted them pronto to see if they were an improvement over a setup we already agreed was solid.
Maxxis Minion DHRII WT Features
- All-around performance
- 3C Compound
- EXO casing
- Tubeless Ready (TR)
- Sizing - 27.5 x 2.4-inch
- Weight: 900g (3C/EXO/TR)
- Intended conditions: Loose, loose over hard, medium
- MSRP: $77.00 USD
Initial Impressions
At first glance, the tires appear to be nearly identical to the DHRII 27.5 x 2.3 other than the WT label. Being that we had the Tubeless Ready version, we immediately mounted them front and rear on a set of WTB Asym rims with an internal width of 35mm. With a quick blast from the compressor the tires popped into place immediately, without any worries. On narrower rims we’ve always run 28 and 30PSI, but decided to run 25 and 28 in order to test the wide-rims-need-less-pressure theory. Within 15 minutes the tires went from the courier’s hands to the dirt.
On The Trail
We tested these tires in Squamish, B.C., and rode a wide variety of trail surfaces and conditions. Maxxis indicates that the DHRII is best suited for loose, loose over hard and medium conditions. Although the “R” in DHRII suggests rear specificity, it is a proven performer front and rear in both the EWS and World Cup DH.
Cornering traction is superb. With cornering knobs identical to the often-imitated Minion DHF, we were immediately pushing hard into berms, ruts, and flat corners. The center knobs offer excellent braking, and roll on par with similar tires from the competition. Exactly how a wider rim translates to improved ride characteristics is difficult for many riders to describe, but the recurring themes all relate to improved tire profile, increased contact, and ultimately a more confidence inspiring feel. The DHRII WT tread is identical to the standard version, but knob location has been tweaked ever-so-slightly for better placement on wide rims. The DHRII WT knobs are ideally situated on a 35mm rim, but we also mounted them on a 27mm rim where we preferred it over the standard 2.3” version as well.
We rode the tires primarily in Pacific Northwest duff, roots, and slab. The knobs are tall enough that they dig into all soil types other than the deepest duff or mud, yet not so tall that they fold unpredictably on rock, root, or hard pack. A recent dry spell allowed us to put these tires to the test in loose over hard conditions with similar success. The Minion DHRII WT is a winner in just about all conditions, and seems to find grip easily. Compared to the much loved Minion DHF, we found that the DHRII is a better choice for riders looking for improved braking performance, but they don’t roll quite as quickly. The Schwalbe Magic Mary is also a worthy comparison, especially with the updated WT casing. Now they’re nearly identical widths, with Schwalbe taking the nod for traction in softer conditions and the DHRII WT taking the nod for rolling speed and performance in firmer conditions.
After months of riding heavier tires, we were somewhat apprehensive with the switch, but the EXO casing held up as a daily driver and beer-leaguer. For most locations, we feel that the EXO casing is more than capable; however we would lean towards the Double Down casing for rugged riding and serious racing.
Long Term Durability
No issues here. We found tire wear to be similar to the standard casing on a narrow rim, and much improved compared to a narrow casing on a wide rim. The cornering knobs are showing some wear, as are the braking edges on the rear, but nothing that we wouldn’t expect after more than a few hundred miles of riding.
Things That Could Be Improved
No real qualms here, either. We’re willing to bet that some riders will note that the updated WT casing is somewhat conservative, but we feel that the width and volume are very well-suited to traditional and wide rim profiles. Perhaps the EXO casing could be a tad stouter, boosting our confidence when things got mega rowdy or if we were to enter an enduro race on a burly track, but we've yet to experience any issues from everyday riding.
What's The Bottom Line?
Take home point: great tires. We hope to see the Wide Trail casing across Maxxis’ entire lineup, and we would even run the DHRII WT on more traditional rims. Gains are marginal compared to the 2.3” version, but they’re still worth the upgrade when it comes time to purchase your next set. With excellent cornering, braking, and predictability you’ll be hard pressed to find a negative review of the DHRII WT.
For more details, visit maxxis.com
About The Review
Joel Harwood has been playing in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia for the last nine years. He spends his summer months coaching DH race groms in the Whistler Bike Park, and guiding XC riders all over BC. He dabbles in all types of racing, but is happiest while blasting his trail bike down trails that include rock slabs, natural doubles, and west coast tech. On the big bike he tends to look for little transitions and manuals that allow him to keep things pointed downhill, rather than swapping from line to line. Attention to detail, time in the saddle, and an aggressive riding style make Joel a rider that demands the most from his products. Joel's ramblings can also be found at straightshotblog.com.
