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Again sorry for the newbie question, think its better to ask actual riders rather than google. Ive been reading a bit about maxxis minion dh tyres and my friends recommend high roller tyres, is there a huge difference and what would you recommend for trail riding and a small bit of moderate downhill?
Used high rollers for years, then tried a minion on the front, hr rear and haven't looked back!
I wouldn't recommend Maxxis tyres to anyone.
They were very fashionable for a while and consequently are massively, stupidly, overpriced.
Panaracer, Specialized and Bontrager (amongst many, many others) make excellent tyres at much more sensible prices.
If you want amazing value and great performance, try the Smorgasbord tyre from On One.
A good all rounder and excellent value.
Tony07, care to expand on that?
Could you tell us what your moderate downhill looks like? That can mean lots of different things.
If you're looking at minions and highrollers, I'd suggest you check out the Specialized Butcher- it's basically a modernised Highroller, cheaper, and even made by the same people. The Control version is lightweight, though not as tough as the Maxxis equivalents, the downside of the Specializeds is less choice.
Highrollers are never a terrible option, to be fair.
Run HRs front and rear all year round, Scottish mud, rocks, ruts and roots. Thought about minions as needed a new one recently but got a HR II instead.
Northwind - Member
I'd suggest you check out the Specialized Butcher- it's basically a modernised Highroller, cheaper, and even made by the same people.
And the Specialized Purgatory is an tweaked and updated version of the Maxxis ADvantage.
Both designed by the same bloke to do the same job - it's just that the Specialized is cheaper.
High rollers every time run fr and rr all year round in Scottish gloop.
Trawl Flea bay for best deals.
High rollers every time run fr and rr all year round in Scottish gloop.
Trawl Flea bay for best deals.
Mine are both single ply maxxpros 2.35s. They're fitted to an orange five and I do everything on them. I do find the rear a bit pinch happy on proper dh tracks. They last well and aren't exactly expensive. Can be picked up for around £20 each. I find the minion has a lot better cornering grip than the hr on the front, especially when it gets a bit wet. If I'm heading for gravel trails and I've the time, I usually sketch to a hr front and a intense system 2 on the back for better rolling.
Has anyone got any comments comparing these tyres to the schwalbe nobby nics? Seem very expensive to me, unless im just a beginner not wanting to spend lots lo
HR2 dual compound folding > £28 posted [url=
Nobby Nics... Generally bad. Not very grippy or versatile, quite expensive, and very short lived and delicate (I had more punctures in a couple of months on Nobby Nics than I've had in years of other tyres)
In terms of design, more comparable with faster Maxxis tyres like the Advantage.
The thing about tyres is thats its a completely personal thing related to the one you ride, the area you ride in and the type of bike you have. I always buy slightly used tyres off ebay knowing full well I may need to sell them in and try something else.
minion front HR rear is a great combo
but maxxis also make the onone tyres-
chunky monkey front smorg rear for a lot less cash, if you dont mind them being a bit porky youll be fine
( I wish brant would hurry up with that 650b smorg! )
kimbers - Member
minion front HR rear is a great combo
Or the worst combo in the world hated it with a passion for the 30 mile ride I tried it on, should have done a short ride.
As you lean the bike one of the tyres (minion) rolls over and the other (HR) goes over an edge, felt very wrong as if I couldn't get the best out of either.
Both HR's fine
Both minions fine
My current choice is Ardents but I'm in dryer conditions most of the time, enjoying HRII's these days but will still roll out the minions when I want something like that.
I'm currently running a pair of 2.5 DHF Minion EXOs , I've tried a few tyres over the years from Maxxis,Continental and Schwalbe but always seem to come back to Minions.
Not an awful lot wrong with the Minion/HR combo you mentioned, I used to run it.
The new Minion DHR 11 looks like it would be a better option on the rear than the old high roller, reviews suggest it also makes a good front tyre, I need to try one!
Look out for the new (wider) Minion DHF 2.3s, the old 2.35s came up a bit narrow, all are available in single ply with EXO sidewall protection.
Other tyres are available, however I doubt you'd be disappointed with any of the above, if you ride a ride a lot of rough rocky terrain the EXOs are a must.
I can't comment on Butchers as I've not tried them however I have tried Nobby Nic (snakeskins) and agree with the other comments about them, IMO they're are more XC than Trail.