Maxxis Minion DHR II Maxx Grip EXO+ 2.4in tyre review

The Maxxis Minion DHR II has cemented its place in mountain bike tyre royalty - in fact, the tyre is so good that it’s found on 90% of stock trail and enduro bikes from the factory. While it balances plenty of traction with speed on almost any terrain type, the MaxxGrip rubber on the model tested can wear quickly and it's a little lock-up happy.

Maxxis Minion DHR II Maxx Grip EXO+ 2.4in - Technical details

As well as the DHF, the DHR II is a household name in the world of mountain biking and is designed to complement it as a rear-specific tyre. Maxxis says that the DHR II offers improved acceleration, cornering and braking.

Coming in builds to fit from 20- right up to 29-inch wheels, the DHR II comes in 2.3in up to three-inch widths and a range of carcass and rubber compounds to suit all but cross-country riding. This tyre can be picked up in Maxxis’s lightest EXO casing, as well as EXO+, Double Down and Downhill casings. As for compounds, there's the harder-wearing and faster rolling 3C Maxx Terra, alongside the 3C Maxx Grip, which is a softer compound built for traction. There are also foldable and wire bead options available.

By its name, you might have guessed that this is the second iteration of the DHR, which means that this long-standing sequel has received a redesigned centre tread pattern with the aim of making it roll a little faster. While we’re on the subject of the tread, the centre section is built up of large ramped and siped paddles with sharp and flat rear faces that look to promise solid braking. Where the shoulder knobs are the very same as what’s found on its front-specific counterpart.

On test, we have the tyre in its 29 x 2.4in size with the softest Maxx Grip rubber and EXO+ casing which makes for a sorted enduro rear tyre.

Maxxis Minion DHR II Maxx Grip EXO+ 2.4in - Performance

Installing the tyre was simple. The EXO+ casing is plenty pliable enough to wrench around the bead of my WTB CZR i30 rim and the tyre inflated with no issue.

Even though I opted for the grippiest, softest and therefore draggiest rubber compound on offer, I was pleasantly surprised with how well the tyre pedalled. By no means is it the fastest rolling tyre around and there were definitely sections of ascent where I really felt that rubber cling to the ground, but considering the all-out grip on offer, it wasn’t too bad at all. Traction while climbing is admirable, too, and I found it rare that the tyre would ever spin out. Only on the expected surfaces, wet roots and rocks would traction waver.

Downhill, the grip that the DHR II offers is pretty tremendous in pretty much all conditions, especially with that softer rubber compound. In fact, forcing the tyre into a slide requires some considerable effort. But what this means is that the tyre is super predictable

Grip from the centre to the shoulder knobs doesn’t fade, which encourages harder and faster cornering effort. And as grip duties are seamlessly transferred from centre to shoulder, there’s no dead spot present, improving reliability and confidence.

Braking traction is rather good, thanks to those sharp back edges on the centre tread but I've found that to get the most out of this traction, a lighter touch on the brakes is required, or the trail's surface needs just the right level of tack. Too much braking on a surface that's too hard or too soft, or when the tyre simply isn't weighted enough will cause the DHR II to lock up fairly quickly. As with the rest of this tyre's facets, this locking up is very predictable.

Now, the tyre in this soft Maxx Grip rubber does noticeably wear quicker than others but that’s a welcome trade-off when you consider the traction it offers. Though, if you’re looking for a tyre that’ll last you more than a summer’s worth of heavy riding, you should check out the Maxx Terra compound which performs very similarly but isn’t quite as grippy but it doesn’t wear near as quickly.

For a rear tyre, this compound is pretty extreme and it won’t be for everyone, but if you’re after all-out rear-end grip, that is exactly what this tyre delivers.

However, the DHR II is also a very capable front tyre, where that softer compound will make a lot of sense. Bunging a DHR II at the front means that you get all of those awesome performance qualities but they’re elevated, which results in excellent braking power, huge predictability when cornering and reasonably low rolling resistance. It doesn't lock up as much either as under braking, it's much better weighted.

Maxxis Minion DHR II Maxx Grip EXO+ 2.4in - Verdict

At £80 an end the DHR II is a real investment, especially when considering the many great tyres on the market for less money. For example, WTB’s Trail Boss comes in at £65. It’s a little draggier but it also provides decent rear-end grip.

The recent Continental Kryptotal RE is also cheaper at £72.95, and Michelin’s Wild Enduro sits at £70 in its Racing Line rubber compound. This one does roll slower, however.

One of the very few tyres that trumps the DHR II in price is the Pirelli Scorpion Race Enduro M, at £82.

But if you don’t mind spending the money, you’ll be buying a tyre that’ll see you confidently throughout all seasons, whether you’re riding trail, enduro or even downcountry. It’s a tyre that provides exceptional and predictable grip without being painfully draggy, just be careful on the brakes. The DHR II is found on so many bikes from the factory with very good reason.