Pink Bike
PinkBike.com tested the Griffin and were happy with the results:
“I ran it as a rear tire paired with a Minion DHF up front on two different wheelsets, one with a 28mm rim width, and the other with a 30mm internal rim width. Getting it set up tubeless wasn't any trouble, and once inflated, the tire measured 2.3” wide from sidewall to sidewall, and 2.25” from side knob to side knob.
I'll admit, I had my doubts about the Griffin. I'm not a huge fan of the Ardent, so the fact that the Griffin looked like a modified version of that tire had me a little skeptical. It turns out those fears were unfounded – the Griffin proved to be a great option for dusty, slippery trails, so much so that I'm planning on keeping it installed until the knobs are worn down to little nubbins, or the winter rains arrive, whichever comes first.
Compared to the Aggressor or the Minion SS the Griffin feels like it has more bite and braking traction, especially on steeper, loose terrain. One more than one occasion I found myself expecting it to lose its grip, but somehow it hooked up, digging in and keeping the rear wheel from drifting from side to side.
The Griffin is a bit of a sleeper, a tire that's not as commonly seen as the other tires in Maxxis' lineup, but I'm a fan. It's fast rolling, but without sacrificing traction, something that comes in handy when descending loose, blown out trails. If you regularly find yourself riding on terrain that looks like the surface of the moon, the Griffin is an excellent choice.”
Mike Kazimer, PinkBike.com, August 2017
Blister
Here’s what BlisterReview.com thought of the Griffin:
“The Griffin is a pretty use-specific tire that works well in certain conditions. If you’re racing and looking for the best tire for a dry, smooth course that maybe has some steeper, looser sections where braking traction matters, the Griffin could be a really good bet. Similarly, if you need a DH casing on your enduro bike, but you still want something that rolls quickly, the Griffin fills that niche.”
Noah Bodman, BlisterReview.com, September 2016
Interested in the Griffin tyre for your mountain bike? Scroll down to use our dealer locator to find a tyre fitter near you.