Maxxis Minion DHF Tire - 29 x 2.5 [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

Tires are without a doubt, one of the most important features of any mountain bike. The combination you pick has a massive impact on your bikes's ability to grip, gain speed, corner, and stay stable. The Maxxis DHF is legendary for its impressive combination of grip, durability, and relatively good rolling speed. In this review, our customer Sean explains why he is a die hard Maxxis fan. Check it out!

Overview

I've tried countless brands of tires over the years, and I continue to come back to Maxxis. The balance of weight, rolling resistance, and grip all seem to be best in class in my opinion. Countless people and bike reviewers with way more experience and knowledge than me have already raved on how good of tire the Maxxis Minion DHF is, but I will sing this tire's praise "till the cows come home." Paired with a faster rolling tire in the rear (in this case the Maxxis Rekon), it is quite possibly the perfect tire combination for my local trails and riding style.

I had recently been lucky enough to get my hands on a Revel Ranger. Off-topic - but this bike rips. I didn't get it through Worldwide due to availability, but if you've been considering one go ahead and do it. I've had the most fun in years on this bike. The combination of the CBF platform paired with a shorter travel rig with modern but not too crazy geo makes for the perfect trail bike for me. The bike came stock with a Maxxis Dissector in the front and Maxxis Rekon in the rear. The Maxxis Dissector is a great tire for this bike, but I wanted something with a little more grip. I will always take grip over rolling resistance for my local terrain. Our singletrack doesn't have a ton of dirt, and loose over hardpack is the name of the game here. The front end of the bike can wash out so quickly, so a more aggressive front tire even on a shorter travel bike like the Ranger was something I wanted to try. The Minion DHF is my typical go-to front tire on longer travel rigs, and at first, I was a little hesitant to throw it on a 115mm travel bike. Granted, the Ranger "feels" like a bigger travel bike and could warrant a more aggressive front tire, so I decided to give it a go!

First Impressions

There were no issues with getting the Minion DHF mounted and it paired nicely with my 27mm front rim. I decided to go with the 2.5 DHF paired with the 2.4 Rekon in the rear. I also got the gum wall versions of both, because let's be honest, the gum wall paired with the green Ranger is fire. There wasn't a huge weight penalty with the Minion DHF compared to the Dissector, but the grip and confidence the DHF gives, especially when pushing hard into corners, is MUCH better than the Dissector in my opinion, and worth the little bit of extra weight. I also feel like the side knobs of the Minion DHF really hit the sweet spot where the traction comes but just at the right time. In other words, you don't have to be a pro and just completely rail a corner with the bike sideways to benefit from the extra traction. The Rekon in the rear for this bike works nicely, and while I might go to a more aggressive rear at some point, I've enjoyed the less rolling resistance when compared to a more aggressive setup. Having a less aggressive rear tire on these shorter travel rigs helps keep them playful and adds to their quick acceleration which I've grown to really appreciate.

Final Thoughts

I would highly recommend the Minion DHF and Rekon combo to anyone looking for a more aggressive set up on a shorter travel rig. Honestly, the Minion DHF is my go-to front tire regardless of travel, and for me has continued to be the benchmark I measure tires against!