Minion DHR II

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Single Track World

The Minion DHR II was tested by James Vincent for a total of 6 months, concluding that “the aggressive tread pattern delivers supremely controlled cornering grip and incredible braking traction, which really comes into its own the steeper and rougher the trail surface”:

“This has to be one of the best cornering tyres I’ve used – it is utterly reliable and sure-footed on a variety of trail surfaces. The combination of those slightly wider DHF cornering blocks with the deeper centre tread gives tonnes of traction, even when the rocks are big, loose and surrounded by scrabbly dirt or mud.

Braking traction is noticeably better than the Minion DHF. Point the bike down a nasty steep chute, and those short, wide and siped centre blocks pinch and bite the trail with more available edges than the DHF. The steeper and looser the descents, the more useful the in-built braking traction of the DHR II is – both on the front and on the rear.”

James Vincent, SingleTrackWorld.com, February 2019

Outdoor Gear Lab

OutdoorGearLab.com ranked the Minion DHR II 2^nd out of 24 tyres concluding that “you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option for a rear tire for aggressive everyday trail riding”:

“The Maxxis Minion DHR II is an excellent rear tire with a meaty tread for aggressive trail riding. This tire lives up to the Minion name with tall and stout side knobs that give it the cornering chops that Minion tires are known for. The center tread is an alternating pattern of big paddle-like lugs that provide excellent braking and pedaling traction, even in the loose stuff. Despite the size and the spacing of the center tread, this tire has a moderate level of rolling resistance, a trade-off for its copious amounts of traction. Maxxis' EXO casing is beefy and the sidewalls offer plenty of support for running lower pressures as well as puncture and abrasion resistance.

Cornering on the DHR II is confidence-inspiring and quite predictable. The tire has a round-ish profile and when you tip the tire from the center knobs to the side knobs as you initiate a turn it has a pretty seamless transition, without the dead spot or drifty feeling that some other tires have. Once on edge, the side knobs bite and hold with no squirming or vague feeling about it. Some of their confident cornering ability is thanks to the supportive sidewalls that don't feel like they want to fold or roll even under the heaviest of G-forces.

The Minion DHR II is big on traction, and this is especially true for its braking traction. The large widely spaced center tread knobs are somewhat paddle-shaped with ramped front and vertical back edges. This tread design does a great job of digging in when you want to slow down.

As you've probably already surmised by our glowing review of the Minion DHR II, we're pretty big fans of this tire. We think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option for a rear tire for aggressive everyday trail riding. The combination of cornering confidence and pedaling and braking traction is hard to beat.”

Jeremy Benson, OutdoorGearLab.com, November 2018

Mountain Bike Rider

A go-to UK-based magazine for mountain bike riders, MBR is a great source of reference for independent advice on aftermarket parts and accessories for your bike, and they awarded the Minion DHR II the MBR Editor’s Choice 2019 with a total score of 10/10:

“Maxxis Minion DHR II WT arguably offers the most grip of all Maxxis models suitable for mixed conditions, and works fine year-round. With its blocky tread slabs and pronounced shoulder channel, the Minion is a mountain bike classic and a regular winner of our group test. This year, Maxxis has developed a brand new casing option called EXO+ with a toughness and weight halfway between thicker Double Down models and thinner, standard EXO versions.

The DHR II already delivered class-leading grip and a super-planted cornering sensation. This new EXO+ model doesn’t feel any less comfortable or secure, making it a really good compromise for a minimal weight penalty. This reinforced model isn’t a full-on Alpine-ready tyre, but will likely become the new go-to UK choice for many, especially if you’re riding takes in anything sharper than pure dirt and loam where you’ll benefit from the extra protection.”

Mick Kirkman, MBR.co.uk, December 2019

Enduro Mountain Bike Magazine

Enduro-MTB.com awarded the Minion DHR II “The best enduro all-rounder 2018”:

“This tire was originally designed to be used on a back wheel but is also an impressive front wheel option with outstanding braking traction and good lateral stability. The profile with big ramped knobs and staggered side-lugs can dig deep enough into the ground without concern over tire squirm. This makes it work well in both dry/rocky conditions and on soft terrain exceeding the grip threshold only at a late stage and offering great control. The grip of the 3C is great and the wear is relatively low.

With their EXO-casing Maxxis nailed the optimal compromise between weight, puncture resistance and damping. With a weight of around 900 g (27.5”) the MINION DHR II isn’t exactly feather-weight, but is still fully suitable for touring thanks to a passable rolling resistance. It is also suitable for the occasional race provided you pick your lines carefully. Thanks to the 2.4” width and the optimised pattern of the Wide-Trail-version, it perfectly suits 30 mm rims (internal width) and boasts good damping-characteristics, a clear advantage especially on damp terrain. It could also be used on thinner rims but in this case the 2.3” version would be the better choice. Like all Maxxis tires it’s easy to set up as tubeless and holds the air well. The absolute favourite in our ENDURO headquarter!”

Christoph Bayer, Enduro-MTB.com, October 2017

Vital MTB
VitalMTB.com rated the Minion DHF II a glowing 5/5 in their tyre test:

“Let’s be honest, Maxxis Minion DHF and DHR II tires might be the most popular setup out there. Rightfully so, as you’ll be hard-pressed to find a negative review or a person unwilling to run them.

Having ridden both EXO and Double Down casings extensively, we felt that Maxxis’ decision to utilize existing tire technologies in combination to create a new mid-weight tire was a great call. The extremely popular EXO casing can be found on everything from cross-country race bikes to enduro sleds. While EXO is extremely versatile, heavier or more aggressive riders often want a supportive, durable tire without going to a two-ply Double Down version. No doubt Maxxis noted the same and the development of a happy medium began.

With a significant amount of time on Maxxis products, we were keen to see how EXO+ would compare to both EXO and Double Down. Our preferred casing for a place like Squamish, BC is generally Double Down as we find the more supportive sidewall provides better control, and the two-ply construction gives us peace of mind that regardless of sharp rocks we won’t be left stranded.

Bikes have gotten better, riders are pushing harder, and EXO+ is up to the task. In our opinion it's a better fit for modern trail and enduro bikes than the casings that have come before.

Maxxis has once again found a way to make their tires even better with the addition of EXO+. With only a negligible increase in weight the tires perform better in all scenarios with improved durability. Maxxis product designers have the confidence to keep what is great about timeless treads and the foresight to make updates to make them even better. Regardless of where or what you ride, your favorite Maxxis treads can be paired with the perfect casing for your needs. We expect EXO+ to become a hit among all-mountain riders worldwide.”

Joel Harwood, VitalMTB.com, June 2019

Find a Maxxis tyre fitter near you

Martin Zietsman

Professional mountain biker Martin Ziestsman has competed in countless racing series including; Scottish Enduro Series, Welsh Gravity Enduro Series, Tweedlove Enduro Series and EWS. He chooses Maxxis tyres and here's what he has to say: 

‘Maxxis aren’t regarded as the best gravity tyres in the world for nothing. They have a tyre for any and every trail condition. Maxxis gives me total confidence in my tyres, allowing me to hit trails with complete trust in my grip, knowing I can focus wholly on the trail ahead. It’s incredible knowing the limit of your speed is your ability and not your tyres…’

Danny Hart

British downhill mountain biker, Danny Hart, currently rides for Madison Saracen on Maxxis tyres. He won the 2011 and 2016 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.

Greg Minnaar

South African World Champion, Greg Minnaar is a mountain bike racer competing in downhill cycling. Greg races for Santa Cruz Syndicate on Maxxis Tyres and also assisted in the development of the Maxxis Assegai.