MAXXIS Mountain Bike Tires in Review

Back in 1967, MAXXIS started producing bicycle tires in Taiwan – and they got off to a strong start.. Today, MAXXIS are the world’s biggest producer of bicycle tires and one of the biggest tire manufacturers overall – an essential name in the world of cycling.

With a workforce of 30,000, MAXXIS produce nearly 50 million tires a year for a wide range of vehicles. But it’s in the cycling world where the Taiwanese tire colossus really shines. Take a look at most high-end bikes fresh off the showroom floor and you’ll see it straight away – MAXXIS are the most commonly-specced tire brand in the premium segment. And that’s no coincidence: for years, they’ve impressed with strong performance, a vast range of models and smart rubber compounds. But the competition isn’t standing still. Time to find out whether MAXXIS are still setting the benchmark.

Model	Weight	Price
ASSEGAI 3C MaxxGrip DH Casing 29 x 2.50 WT	1,440 g	€ 84.90
Minion DHR 2 DualCompound DH Casing 29 x 2.40 WT	1,373 g	€ 64.90
Minion DHR 2 3C MaxxTerra DH Casing 29 x 2.50 WT	1,380 g	€ 79.90
Minion DHR 2 3C MaxxGrip DH Casing 29 x 2.40 DT	1,268 g	€ 79.90
HighRoller 3C MaxxGrip Doubledown 29 x 2.40 WT	1,268 g	€ 84.90
ASSEGAI 3C MaxxGrip Doubledown 29 x 2.50 WT	1,401 g	€ 84.90
Minion DHR 2 3C MaxxTerra Doubledown 29 x 2.40 WT	1,310 g	€ 84.90
Shorty 3C MaxxGrip Doubledown 29 x 2.40 WT	1,256 g	€ 84.90
DISSECTOR Gen. 1 3C MaxxTerra Doubledown 29 x 2.40 WT	1,139 g	€ 84.90
DISSECTOR Gen. 2 3C MaxxTerra Doubledown 29 x 2.40 WT	1,190 g	€ 84.90
Minion DHF 3C MaxxGrip Doubledown 29 x 2.50 WT	1,316 g	€ 84.90
Minion DHR 2 3C MaxxGrip Doubledown 29 x 2.50 WT	1,275 g	€ 84.90
ASSEGAI 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ Protection 29 x 2.50 WT	1,211 g	€ 79.90
ASSEGAI 3C MaxxTerra EXO Protection 29 x 2.50 WT	1,109 g	€ 74.90

MAXXIS’ casings at a glance

MAXXIS offer four different casing constructions in their mountain bike tire portfolio, each tailored to a specific type of riding. For trail and enduro riders, EXO, EXO+ and DoubleDown are the key options – though there’s also a more heavy-duty downhill casing available for those who need the extra protection. You can easily check which casing your tire uses by looking at the sidewall.

EXO

EXO is the lightest and most supple MTB casing in MAXXIS’ range, built around a single-ply 120 TPI construction. Unsurprisingly, it offers the lowest level of pinch-flat protection in our test field. That said, it does score above average for puncture resistance on the tread thanks to the added sidewall protection layer – all while keeping weight impressively low. For heavier riders, however, the EXO casing isn’t ideal for gravity-focused riding, particularly on the rear. Even for lighter riders, we’d only recommend it up front.

EXO+

The tougher EXO+ casing sets itself apart from the standard EXO version in two ways: it relies on a coarser 60 TPI fabric and adds a butyl insert above the bead. While slightly heavier, the EXO+ casing delivers significantly better protection against impacts, though its performance in the puncture test is similarly strong. That makes it a solid choice up front. And for lighter riders or general trail use, it’s also well suited for the rear wheel.

Doubledown (DD)

With the Doubledown casing, the name says it all: it features a dual-ply construction using a 120 TPI fabric. Like EXO+, it also includes a butyl insert in the sidewall. This makes Doubledown tires ideal for demanding enduro trails. At roughly 200 g heavier than their EXO+ counterparts, they offer noticeably better puncture protection – both in impact and penetration tests. This makes them a highly recommended option for the rear wheel, where they offer a clear safety advantage over EXO+.

Downhill Casing (DH Casing)

The most robust casing in the MAXXIS range features a dual-ply construction made from coarse 60 TPI fabric. In terms of puncture protection, the Downhill casing delivers across the board – especially in impact resistance, where it clearly outperforms the already solid Doubledown casing. For tough enduro use, it’s a great option on the rear wheel too, particularly for heavier riders, as it offers even more reliable protection with only a modest weight increase compared to the Doubledown casing.

MAXXIS’ rubber compounds at a glance

In the MTB segment, MAXXIS use single compounds (SuperTacky and MPC), dual compounds (DualCompound), and their well-known triple compounds (3C). The latter come in three versions: 3C MaxxSpeed, 3C MaxxTerra and 3C MaxxGrip. While the names of the triple compounds and the SuperTacky single compound are clearly printed on the tire sidewalls, the variants with MPC and DualCompound come without any indication of the compound on the casing. That said, MAXXIS’ single compound tires are rarely seen out in the wild.

MAXXIS Performance Compound (MPC)

The first single compound from MAXXIS goes by the name MPC, short for MAXXIS Performance Compound. It’s intended as an all-round rubber blend that aims to strike a balance between grip and durability.

SuperTacky (ST)

Super Tacky is MAXXIS’ grippiest single compound. Designed specifically for freeride and downhill use, its soft rubber and low rebound rate help maximise traction on technical terrain.

DualCompound

With DualCompound tires, the tread is made up of two different rubber compounds, arranged and formulated differently depending on the intended use. So DualCompound isn’t always the same: a downhill tire using this construction will combine two very different compounds compared to what you’d find on a DualCompound XC tire.

3C MaxxTerra

All MAXXIS triple-compound rubbers (3C) use the same basic principle: a hard base layer is topped with a slightly firmer centre tread and softer shoulder knobs. The 3C MaxxTerra compound aims to strike the ideal balance between low rolling resistance and reliable grip, making it the go-to option for trail riding. The low rolling resistance on the centre knobs pays off not only on climbs, but also on flowy trails with moderate gradients – and that’s confirmed by our lab tests. Whether you’re riding trail or enduro, our experience shows that MaxxTerra works best on the rear wheel, where it delivers the perfect mix of durability, traction and damping. That said, it performs surprisingly well on the front too, thanks to its softer shoulder knobs.

3C MaxxGrip

If you’re after maximum grip, there’s no getting around 3C MaxxGrip in the MAXXIS lineup. This triple-compound rubber offers the highest levels of grip and damping performance, making it the go-to for descending. Especially on the front wheel, these qualities are incredibly valuable. At the rear, however, you’ll have to deal with significantly more rolling resistance. In the case of a 2.5” Minion DHR II with DH casing, switching from MaxxTerra to MaxxGrip means almost 20 watts more drag. Except for full-on downhill use, our recommendation is always to run MaxxTerra at the rear and MaxxGrip at the front. Up front, the 3C MaxxGrip compound digs in when braking, cornering, and under dusty, wet, or hardpack conditions. The damping properties of the soft rubber are also outstanding and clearly more pronounced than MaxxTerra. While it does wear faster, it’s still manageable – even after longer and harder bike park sessions, you won’t need to change it every couple of days.

MAXXIS’ tread patterns at a glance

ASSEGAI

The ASSEGAI is the signature tire of downhill legend Greg Minnaar, and it’s named after a traditional South African hunting spear. What matters for you: with the ASSEGAI up front, you’re well covered in all conditions – it’s a top-tier all-rounder for the front wheel. The side knobs dig deep into loose terrain yet resist folding in berms until very late in the lean. The centre tread alternates between large single blocks and ramped double knobs, giving the ASSEGAI outstanding braking performance. Even under hard braking on off-camber sections, it holds its line with confidence. No wonder – the ASSEGAI up front and DHR II in the rear is the setup you’ll see almost everywhere these days. MAXXIS offer the ASSEGAI in every configuration imaginable: from EXO to DH casing, from DualCompound to 3C MaxxGrip. It’s available in both 2.5” and 2.6” widths, and in 27.5” and 29” wheel sizes. If you’re after a classic look, there’s even a Tan Wall option.

HighRoller 3

When you take a closer look at its intended use, it becomes clear: the HighRoller 3 is very much an in-house competitor to the ASSEGAI. According to MAXXIS, the HighRoller 3 slots in between the versatile ASSEGAI and the mud-specific Shorty. Designed as an intermediate tire for downhill and enduro, it’s built to perform especially well in damp and loose conditions. Thanks to the generous spacing and tall knobs, the tire has plenty of grip and excellent self-cleaning qualities, outperforming the ASSEGAI in the wet. At the same time, the supportive side knobs hold firm through hard-packed berms, giving the HighRoller 3 solid all-round credentials – though in dry corners, the ASSEGAI still edges ahead. This makes the MAXXIS HighRoller 3 another strong all-rounder, with a clear edge in muddy and in-between-season conditions, particularly in autumn and winter. In the lab, the HighRoller 3 even rolled slightly faster than the ASSEGAI when tested with identical casing and compound. However, the range of options is far more limited than what you get with the ASSEGAI. Casing choices include EXO+, DD, and DH – there’s no EXO version. MAXXIS only offer it in 2.4” width and exclusively with the soft 3C MaxxGrip compound.

Minion DHF

Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken. The DHF has been around since 2001, and is therefore one of the true veterans in the game. The name DHF comes from “Downhill” (DH) and “Front,” marking it as a front tire specialist. But don’t be fooled by the name – the DHF also performs brilliantly on the rear wheel, whether you’re riding trail or enduro. The relatively round profile isn’t deceptive – compared to the DHR II, the DHF leans into corners more willingly. Our top pick is the 2.5” version, which offers noticeably more volume than the 2.4” Minion DHR II. Braking traction is more than sufficient, thanks to the DHF’s prominent central knobs. Like many MAXXIS tires, the DHF is available in a huge range of versions. In addition to all four casing types, you’ll also find it with single compounds and in smaller wheel sizes like 20”, 24” and 26”. In the 29” size, you can even get it in widths of up to 3.0”.

Minion DHR II

The second generation of the Minion DHR has remained unchanged since 2012, and it still uses the legendary side knobs from the DHF. Originally developed as a rear wheel specific downhill tire (hence the name DHR – Downhill Rear), it has long proven itself as an outstanding all-rounder. The DHR II isn’t just a favourite in our editorial office – it’s a crowd-pleaser across the board. MAXXIS themselves describe it as a “do-it-all-and-everywhere gravity tire,” and rightly so – there’s no rulebook saying it has to sit on the rear wheel. Accordingly, the Minion DHR II is available in just about every size, casing and compound you could want. With the 3C MaxxTerra or the more affordable DualCompound, it rolls remarkably well – even in the heavy DH casing – and is only edged out internally by the DISSECTOR, which shaves off around 4 watts in rolling resistance. If you opt for the softer MaxxGrip compound, you’ll pay for the grip with a noticeable drag increase. Performance-wise, the DHR II is no slouch: the wide, well-supported side knobs borrowed from the DHF resist folding even in heavy berms or on hardpack, giving you precise and confidence-inspiring cornering. So really, the only question left is: when will MAXXIS finally drop the Minion DHR III?

DISSECTOR Gen. 1

Like the DISSECTOR, MAXXIS proudly associate themselves with big names from the DH scene: Troy Brosnan is said to have played a major role in the development. The Australian wanted a faster-rolling tire for hard, dry terrain such as bike parks. And although the DISSECTOR features relatively wide spacing between the centre knobs, it rolls incredibly fast thanks to the low profile height. Its low rolling resistance of 32.4 watts with Doubledown casing and MaxxTerra compound underlines its capabilities for exactly this purpose. Of course, this efficient rolling doesn’t come without compromise: in aggressive riding scenarios, the rear can feel noticeably looser at times. Braking traction on loose terrain is where the DISSECTOR falls short compared to other tires – it lacks knob height here. That said, on the firm terrain it was designed for, it delivers excellent control, especially in berms where the knobs can handle a lot of pressure without folding. At the front, even in the 2.6” wide version, the DISSECTOR is really only suitable as a specialist option for dry and hard-packed bike park tracks. In direct comparison with more aggressive treads, it lacks braking traction. As with other MAXXIS models, you can choose between all four casing options. It’s also available with three different compounds: DualCompound, 3C MaxxTerra, and 3C MaxxGrip.

DISSECTOR Gen. 2

MAXXIS have just revamped the DISSECTOR, making the Troy Brosnan-developed tyre even faster than before. Lab testing confirms that the updated version offers nearly 2 watts less rolling resistance compared to its predecessor. However, this performance gain comes with a slight trade-off: braking traction has also decreased a bit. This makes the new DISSECTOR an even more specialised option for hard, dry terrain, where it continues to impress with excellent control and high-speed performance. It’s likely that MAXXIS deliberately sharpened the tyre’s focus to create clearer separation from the all-rounder DHR II – a tyre that also rolls well, but handles mixed conditions more confidently.

Shorty

The second-generation of the Shorty is MAXXIS’ go-to t re for loose ground – whether you’re battling winter slop or deep summer dust. Thanks to excellent self-cleaning properties, traction remains consistent even in muddy conditions. The updated Shorty cuts confidently through off-camber sections and puddles, generating excellent traction on wet roots too. However, on rocky or firm terrain, the long side knobs have a tendency to fold despite adding support, which can lead to a slightly vague ride feel. It comes as no surprise that, paired with the soft MaxxGrip compound and heavy Doubledown casing, the Shorty has the highest rolling resistance in the entire test field. Our clear advice: keep it up front only! All available versions come in a consistent 2.4” width, and you can choose between EXO, Doubledown or DH casing – although there’s no EXO+ option. Unlike all other variants, the EXO models are built with the slightly firmer 3C MaxxTerra compound.

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For more information, visit MAXXIS’ website.

Our big ENDURO group test at a glance

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All models in test

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Words: Lars Engmann Photos: Peter Walker