Maxxis tires: 2.35″ or 2.5″ rear?

Lee,
I’m buying new tires for the summer and I have some Michelines right now. They’re good tires but I’m looking for something that rolls a little faster and can corner better. I’m looking at getting a 2.5″ Minion for the front and a 2.5″ High Roller for the rear. A guy at my local shop said to switch to a 2.35″ in the rear. I’ve always ran a 2.5″ in the rear but lightening up the rear sounds appealing. How would it affect my riding? I ride DH/FR.
Thanks for your help.
Dan the man

Hey Dan (the Man),

That Minion DHF / High Roller is a great combo. The High Roller rolls very efficiently, and the Minion corners as consistently as anything out there.

In 2004, my last serious race season (before coaching absorbed my racing), I ran that combo in every condition you can imagine: dust, rock, mud, grass, roots, pumice … They got me a few big wins and an “I was this close” at Masters DH Worlds. As a matter of fact, I just got three sets of this combo (Super Tacky UST) for next DH season.

2.35″ vs 2.5″

– According to their site, Maxxis only does the 2.35 in a single ply casing. For rocky DH you really need two plies (some days you need three!).

– The 2.35 is almost a pound lighter. Yeah: 400 grams/14 ounces. That’s a huge difference.

If you do a lot of pedaling, the 2.35 will feel much quicker. But if you ride hard, it’s more likely to pinch or tear wide open.

Self propelled: 2.35″

Lift assisted: 2.5″

As long as you don’t wreck rims, I suggest going tubeless. No sense driving across the U.S. then pinching in your race run.

I love tires the way my wife loves shoes!

— Lee

lee@leelikesbikes.com