Maxxis has released several new Plus sized tires, including the Minion DHF, Minion DHR II, and the High Roller II. The Minion are massive beasts and have large knobs and seem more like a motocross tire than a standard Plus sized bicycle tire. I am testing the Minion DHF Plus and Minion DHR II Plus in the 27.5″ x 2.8″ size on my Ibis Mojo HD3 bike, though I might try an entire set of the DHR II (front and rear).
Measured Specs:
- DHR II Plus
- 1009 grams
- 2.71″ wide on i35 rims (carcass 2.64″ and knobs 2.71″ @ 20 psi)
- DHF Plus
- 998 grams
- 2.7″ wide on i45 rims (carcass 2.7″ and knobs 2.68″ @ 20psi)
Features
The Maxxis Minion DHR II Plus and DHF Plus are Enduro tires that come in 26″ x 2.8″, 27.5″ x 2.8″ and 29″ x 3.0″ sizes and utilizes an open and blocky knob pattern, and comes in either their Dual or 3C Maxx Terra compounds and features their protective EXO sidewalls. The 3C features a triple compound design that uses a harder, longer lasting base layer and two progressively softer top layers to optimize traction and stability and the Maxx Terra intermediate compound configuration offers a medium soft rubber to provides decent treadwear and rolling resistance. The EXO sidewall protection utilizes extremely cut-resistant and abrasion-resistant materials that are lightweight and flexible which excel in rocky and gnarly terrain. The DHR was designed as a rear specific tire while the DHF is for the front, but those are only suggestions, and you can use them as desired.
Tread
The Maxxis DHR II Plus and DHF Plus are directional tires and have the same exact side/shoulder knobs and only differ in the center knobs shapes and designs. The DHR II has three different ramped center knobs repeated over its circumference; a double angled set, a double crosswise rectangular set with siping, and a single crosswise rectangular one in the exact center, all of which function as paddle wheels for traction and braking. The DHF has two different ramped center knobs, a double lengthwise rectangular set and a second lengthwise rectangular pair with a distinctive large split or gap down their center, all of which help with steering and control. The side/shoulder knobs have two different types, a blocky one with siping and another L-shaped one. All of the knobs are tall and beefy and provide exceptional traction and braking and cornering prowess.
Impressions
The DHR II Plus weighed in at 1009 grams while the DHF Plus was 998 grams, which although somewhat heavy, they are right in line with other beefy tires with significant tread patterns, robust sidewalls, and voluminous girth. I have the DHF on the front mounted on a WTB Scraper i45 rim with an inner width of 45mm, and they measured 2.7″ wide (carcass 2.7″ and knobs 2.68″ @ 20psi), which is pretty close to their 2.8″ specification. The rear DHR II is on an Ibis 741 rim with a 35mm inner width, and they measured 2.71″ wide (carcass 2.64″ and knobs 2.71″ @ 20 psi).
I set them up tubeless, which took only a minimal amount of work, and I haven’t had any issues once the sealant sealed the rim bead. I am running them at 15psi, which seems to be excellent comprise for ride quality, plushness, and float for my 170 lbs weight. The casing is somewhat thick and has so far been pretty durable in everything I have tossed at them, and I haven’t suffered any tears or holes as yet. The casing has some great suppleness and flexibility that helps it conform to the terrain and rocks, and those characteristics improve traction and braking, and offer a better feel and ride quality.
When inflated to the low 15psi pressure they provided superb support and float, which gave lot’s of traction and cushiness through snow, rocks, roots, sand, gravel and anything else the typical trail can throw at the tire. Compared to a 3.0″ Plus tire they were slightly harsher when slamming into things and didn’t have as much float in sand and snow, but the 2.8’s offered up better control and less vagueness in rock gardens and technical terrain. Sometimes when bouncing past rocks and through rock gardens, the outer side knobs would ping off of things, though the tires stayed online without any drastic issues. They’re tough and burly tires, and I never felt as though they had any problem in even the gnarliest terrain. The knobs have been very durable though their height and stiffness can occasionally seem like a hindrance when not being ridden in loose conditions.
The DHR II and tread pattern provided excellent traction while climbing, especially on loose trail conditions, and the paddle knobs offered excellent braking characteristics. When the tires got too wet, they tended to skid around somewhat on rocks, though it was in a controllable manner. The DHF tread pattern bit into the terrain and conditions and provided excellent steering, braking, and control, and even when it does break traction, it was manageable and easy to handle. The tires offered up predictable control and responsiveness without any odd transitions when cornering, leaning and turning the bike. Even when pushed over for deep cornering the shoulder knobs and the tread design helped them bite into things with minimal front end washouts or loss of control.
Bottom Line
The Maxxis Minion DHR II Plus and DHF Plus are excellent purpose-built Plus tires, with robust designs, suitable rubber compounds and tread patterns and durable casings. The EXO sidewall protection offered suppleness, flexibility and excellent durability and toughness and I haven’t suffered any tears or cuts in even the gnarliest terrain. The knob wear has been good, and the tread pattern and knob shapes provide great support, float, control, and predictability. The lugs bite nicely into loose conditions with excellent traction and float characteristics, good braking abilities all of which provide versatility across multiple trail conditions and terrain. The tire works well on rock gardens, sand, gravel, soft loam and the slop and can plow through most anything with ease when it is deep and loose, though they’re aren’t a fast rolling tire. The DHR II offered exceptional traction and braking with its big paddles while the DHF excelled at steering and controlling and their rear and front pairing offered great synergy, and the 2.8″ width is just about ideal for a Plus sized tire.
For further information refer to maxxis.com
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