Pro DH Maxxis tire setups?

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Lee,

I wanted to know what tires Maxxis sponsored pros (Namely Sam Hill and Jared Graves) normally run: model, width and tire pressures.

I think Maxxis mas the best rubber compounds in the business. I want to have the best all around setup, but don’t have the $ for a full quiver of tires. I run in mostly clay/topsoil mix-medium soil. 3c 2.5 High Rollers front and rear, 27# front & 32# or so in the rear. I wanted to try a Minion in the front. but didn’t know if a 2.7 would be going too far. (rolling resistance is important to me) You seem to be in the mix with these guys so I wanted to know if you knew some setup secrets. Thanks.

James

Hey James.

Most pros I know suggest picking a setup and running it everywhere (within reason). Maxxis riders tend to be either High Rollers or Minions. Most of the Yeti-FOX team, including Jared Graves, races DH with 2.5 High Rollers. Before he went to Kenda, Brian Lopes ran High Rollers everywhere. Steve Peat swears by High Rollers. I’ve seen Minions on Sam Hill’s bike. Curtis Keene likes Minion DHFs front and rear.

High Rollers are hard to beat in most conditions, and they have an edge in loose dirt; I think Minions have the edge on hardpack. I love a Minion in front for consistent cornering and a High Roller in back for fast rolling. Choose a pair and learn how to ride it.

Most pros run a lot of pressure — say 30-40 psi or higher. (That info is pretty closely guarded.) With less pressure, these aggressive cornerers blow tires off of rims. 2.7s are indeed a bit much for racing: they only make sense on super fast/steep/gnar courses like Vermont.

It sounds like your current setup is great for your conditions. Ride it. Learn it. Love it!

— Lee

12 replies
  1. tire master says:

    Sam Hill typically runs 2.5 minion dhf’s front and rear. If it’s wet he will use wet screams. That is the only tire he typically uses. However some one like Greg Minaarr typically only uses high rollers and wet screams in the mud. Find something you like and stick with it. That is what the world’s best pros typically do.

  2. steph says:

    my combo is: maxxis 2.35 high roller 60a dual ply in the rear end and maxxis 2.35 minion dh f 42 super tacky in the front end.
    It’s on a hardtail , i can ride almost any type of terrain with this combo, except when it ‘s really muddy. I ride this combo for 2 years now, really good.

    The super tacky 42 doesn’t wear out too fast.

    Soon, i gonna try the slow reazy, just too see how less rebound can hav influence on my ride.

  3. James says:

    Thanks for the info Lee. I went with the Minion 2.5 front 3C, 2.5 High Roller 3C rear and it is perfect. Just got back from Whistler, killer on everything from A-line to Goats Gully, and perfect here at home. I have to admit higher pressure is a bit hard to get used to, but does give the tire a consistent feel-I’ll keep experimenting. Thanks again, Braaap!

  6. leelikesbikes says:

    I love it. In the rear, the DHF brakes well, rolls well, pedals well and — I think — corners better than the DHR. Seeing those exposed cornering knobs gives me confidence.

    I’ve run DHRs front and rear too, and they’re fine as well. I just worry about them in loose/wet becaus the cornering edges aren’t as exposed.

  7. david rodrigues says:

    30-40 eekkk. I was riding with Jason Smith at Dville & pinched the rear DH tube, had to ride with a XC tube at 35psi & was amazed at how well it really was. Generally i run 26-28psi. Oh ya tires 2.35 HighRoller rear & 2.5 3C Minnion front, sweeeettt!! Another good front is the Timber Wolf.

  8. Carl says:

    Yeh David, I agree for sure, the Timberwolf 2006 Team DH is beyond belief good. Like Lee says, 2.7 is a bit over the top but I run them front and back on a Demo9. Nothing lands and grips as well in all conditions…………….errrrm……….but lets not talk about rolling resistance and weight!!!! This tyre is the ultimate peace of mind for going as big as you can and working in all weather conditions and terrain types……….I live in the UK for god sake !!!!!!

  9. Matt says:

    I’ve found the maxxis widths to be a little inconsistant. With Highrollers a 2.5 seems wide enough, however a 2.5 DHF feels much thinner then a 2.5 DHR. So if I”m riding Highrollers I stick to 2.5’s Minion’s I swap the 2.5 DHF to a 2.7. It doesn’t feel too sluggish but it does feel much more stable and safe. That’s running 28psi front and 30 rear.

  11. James McAllister says:

    Thanks for all the info, I’m still experimenting! I found Jared Graves’ Tire pressures on procycling.com under his bike check. It was from 2005, but it said 26 front, 29 rear and he doesn’t tolerate even a pound of difference. I agree with the DHF sizes, a 2.5 seems small compared to a high roller. I just switched wheels to DT Swiss 5.1D, and the size difference is even more apparent. I’ve heard of Sam Hill running DHF2.7 font and 2.5 rear with that rim setup. Any extra advice???

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