20 Best 29 Inch Mountain Bike Tires (Jan 2023 Update)

Decent all around rear tire, dry climbing and braking are acceptable, wear is good, due to the Dual Compound. Fast rolling, keeps speed up nicely as a rear tire. I ran the DC EXO 29×2.3. Where I dont like the tire is the cornering knobs. by design and with the dual compound there isn't much to the cornering capability when pushing hard leaned over . I you like a tire that is really drifty, this is your tire. relative to the DHR2, or the side knobs on the Minion SS (same knobs as DHF) it doesn't stack up for real bite that holds. But overall its a put on and kind of forget about it rear tire.Patrick

After running the DHR II in the rear for ages, and a lack of inventory in them this year, I decided to run the Aggressor in the rear at the start of this season. I am super impressed with this tire! The grip is amazing and the transition is seamless. When descending this tire rides the line perfectly of being grippy but allowing you to comfortably push beyond that grip to get a little slide (or roost) if you want. Rolling resistance vs the DHR II is noticeably lower, too. On straights while descending I have noticed the bike moving faster without any effort on my part. I went 4/5 stars for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, without the EXO+ the durability is not as good. I punctured this tire twice in as many days. The second being a sidewall hit that did not seal. Thank you Cush Core for letting me finish my ride. Second reason the grip in less than hardpack conditions isn't as good as the DHR II. Here in Utah we get deep moon dust by mid-season and this thing has not handled the moon dust that well. Going to swap this out for a Dissector or go back to the DHR II now that trails are getting blown out. Overall- this is an amazing tire for hardpack to slightly loose conditions. This will be my tire of choice for early season riding from here on out.Brad D

Fitted to a 30mm Hunt Trailwide this is a brilliant rear tyre for light trail and aggressive xc. Suited best to woodland trails and fine rocks over hard in the dry or drying moist spring conditions it's like a mini lightweight DHR II. Where the Aggressor packs up on semi wet earth the Rekon keeps gripping. If the trails are much rockier and drier the Aggressor 2.5 is the better bet. Paired with a Dissector upfront I've found this to be the perfect combo for xc through to trail for my short travel bike by keeping the weight down and the bike in it's happy speed zone. Only when shown a steep fast hill covered in loose rocks did it struggle to brake however cornering was still acceptable. Weight was 761g Pressure 28psi with a tubephillybaby1979

This is a really good all around XC tire. I've ridden the 2.4 3CT (maxxterra) as a rear tire on my XC bike, but I wanted to put some faster tires on, so I went for a Rekon front (this one), and an Ikon rear. It grips better and more predictably than an Ardent race, and has more traction than the Rekon race, while still being light and fast rolling. Honestly it pairs really well with an Ikon, but it does come up short in wet or loose terrain and on roots, but I plan on using it for a while on that bike. It depends on what matters more to you; speed or ultimate traction, and this strikes the best balance I've seen since the old Ardents.Kyle

I have Rekon's mounted to my Niner Jet 9 RDO 5* build. 29 x 2.4, Tubeless, Folding, Black, 3C Maxx Terra, EXO+, Wide Trail front and rear. They are the prefect tire for "down country", "trail country", aggressive XC, type of riding that I like to do along the CO Front Range. Fast rolling, predictable, solid in the casing I choose, they punch way above their specs on paper. I actually recently contemplated a Forecaster in the front but couldn't get what I wanted so reverted to my trusted Rekon's putting the new one up front and swapping the worn-ish front tire to the rear (sort of now like a Rekon Race but still better). OMG…..it remined me what an absolutely brilliant tire it is in new condition, even in snowy/icy conditions after the first snowfall in CO last week. I never need to question the Rekon's again! Period. Hands-down the best tire for my style of riding.Chris W.

I have a 29-pound Catrike Speed that was prone to tire failure. The 16"x1.35 stock Schwable front tire size was incredibly light weight and fast but the constant flats made me look elsewhere for good rubber. A friend recommended these to me as a reasonable high-pressure alternative and so I gave them a try. They are quite a bit heavier but so far no flats, and that was the goal of this experiment. The bike's total weight is up to 31 pounds [all three tires are now Hookworms] and the ride is great. Plus these things can hold 110psi making the rolling resistance exceptionally low. Is it the right tire for you? Maybe, if you want to ride more than patching tubes. I've been rolling now for about 500 miles and loving it. My wife said I needed to slow down anyway and the top speed is off a smidge [higher wheel mass] so I guess this is a win-win tire for me. Plus the investment in all three of these was about the same as one Schwable. On the PLUS side, the chain is higher off the ground [a big plus] and the ride is good for an exercise bike, which mine is. Tire is rock solid on all surfaces I've tried and wear is incredibly low [I expect these tires will roll for literally thousands of miles]. On the MINUS side, the ride is a bit rougher at 100psi and the clearance at the hand gripsis a little tighter but not unreasonable. Large accessories like my bulb horn clear but can rub if not positioned just right. All in all, the tire is heavier but the life is much, much longer [5 months and zero flats]. If you are looking for a more puncture-resistant tire and are not concerned about adding a little weight to the wheels, this is tire a good option.inline_phil

Probably one of the most popular BMX tires on the Bikelife scene. Easily can handle the abuse and the chaos out there on ride outs. Wether you’re looking to upgrade your BMX cruiser to handle the mean streets or wanting to change your MTB to a more versatile hybrid bike for the road, this tire covers it.Aaron H.

. . . are, from the perspective of an out-of-shape rider in his early antiquity, very positive. These tires turned my stodgy-looking Townie Electra 9 into, by flabby old-person standards, a leg-powered road rocket. Rolling resistance is significantly reduced from the bike's original Schwalbe beach-cruiser skins, at the expected price of a stiffer ride and more attention required to dodge potholes so as not to bend these garden-variety aluminum rims, which I'm pretty sure weren't designed for curb-jumping. I'm only running the Hookworms at 47 of the max. 65 PSI, and still find them a little on the unyielding side, which translates to being able to zip across our small town, over one medium-sized hill, in less than ten minutes. Despite being ostensibly designed for deliberate youthful abuse on topography not normally thought of as bicycle-appropriate (e.g. flying off the front steps of the county courthouse), these things corner on smooth pavement like a Yamaha R-1 sportbike. The enhanced lean angle seems obviously attributable to the wraparound tread. Although I've only logged less than 30 miles thus far, and can't attest to long-term durability, it's notable that the manufacturing mold flash remains intact. That usually goes away much more quickly, if recall serves. The rubber compound, as described elsewhere, appears to be quite tough stuff. GET THE RIGHT TUBES. I blew an extra twelve clams, thinking I could get by with the generic fits-all kit from a famous retailer that's known for being patronized by people in pajama bottoms. Ended up ordering the correct ones online, spec'd at 2.5" – 3" and made of noticeably thicker rubber than the aforementioned substitutes. A little heavier, but they work beautifully, albeit with a little more wrist-wrestling to install. BTW, don't forget to partially inflate your tubes beforehand, to avoid pinch flats. Frame clearance: more than adequate with this kind of bike. Might be a squeaker if you have caliper brakes or narrow forks. "So why," I wondered, "did they name these things after a noxious intestinal parasite?" The answer became apparent upon noticing the pronounced bead "flange" that hooks over the inside of your rim. It makes for a nice secure feel to the mounting process, but you still have to exercise a bit of caution making sure the index line is evenly centered before final inflation. I found that vigorously massaging the tire around its perimeter while 1/4 inflated helps to assure good bead seating. Despite my semi-recumbent bike's long wheelbase, the Maxxis tires make it handle a bit more "squirrely," which is helpful in tight quarters, but requires slightly more attentive steering control while sailing down a long hill. Transitioning from pavement to pea gravel is likewise no longer a completely carefree endeavor, but the reduced traction compared to the old soft cruiser tires has thus far been easy to accommodate, and has been, as previously mentioned, a cheerfully acceptable price for the delightful improvement in road handling. One last thing: since there seems to be no specified rotational orientation, I mounted the tires with the bright-colored company logo on opposite sides at each end, based on the theory that this might make it slightly more visible to cross traffic from both directions. ~eleft coast eddy

Using as rear tire on Turbo SL ebike on MTB trails west of Denver. Much much better than the Specialized Eliminator 2.3 that came with the bike and only lasted a few weeks before multiple puctures and lots of side knobs were falling off. DHR II is heavier, which doesn't really matter on an ebike, but I think the thicker casing will eliminate a lot of flats. Still fairly new but seems very supple and you can feel some cush which helps with more grip/traction. Dual compound is great for the rear and will last much longer than the more expensive Terra or Grip compounds. Shipping is expensive but you still can't beat this price. Just bought two more and they arrived about 10 days faster the second time.Chris

It always should be said to choose the proper tool for the job. With respect to traction in turns and on the damp, these tires are legit. I doubled up and ran DHR II both in the front and rear. Still getting a feel for it but so far I think it is just as good as a DHF/DHR combo. I push about 25psi/26psi front to rear (195lbs). I am notorious for being rough on tires and tend to slice side walls in the chunky stuff here in CO. I switched to Bontrager SE4 and they stood up well. So why come back to Maxxis and if you are rough on tires why go with a tan sidewall which is less durable… Because it will lighten things up weight wise,, but really because it looks dope as hell. I'm working on line choice this summer and sparing my bikes trauma. I'll look good while doing it.Bryce R

I love the DHR2 as a rear mtb tire. I tried the Dissector, but it didn't have quite the breaking traction I was looking for. I am about 3 yrs into this mtb journey after years of bmx racing. I want the lightest toughest tire I can get my hands on, like everyone. Maxxis EXO came OEM with EXO. Took a while to cut the rear tire, but did on a very sharp rock. The rock was like a knife, stuff happens. However EXO+ is not the way to go. I have been through 3 EXO+ rear tires in less than 2 yrs. I ran the Dissector DD for 6+ months no problems. I go back to the DHR2 for the grip. I have a Cushcore installed to keep from getting pinch flats like I did on the last EXO + DHR. 1 min into a 8 min stage, I hear the rim hit, not hard and then feel and hear the air screaming out of it. Ultimately kept me off the podium. Now I read articles from 4 months ago, Maxxis knows the EXO+ casing is not holding up it's end of the bargain, so they are making it now like they should have in the first place. Maxxis, can I get my $105 back or a new tire that doesn't puncher if the wind blows to hard? I had less than a month on a DHR2 and a hole smaller than pin head cost me the money and a race. I like Maxxis and have only purchased Maxxis for my mtb. I have now had to purchase another $100+ tire a DD. However, a brand new tire should not become useless after 10-15 rides, unless you are riding something the tire wasn't designed for. Traction and rubber compund are a 4 star +. Please make sure you rate your tire sidewalls appropriately. I could have saved $25-$30 and gotten the same performance out of a EXO. If Maxxis would like to contact me, and offer a new tire that would be awesome. The tire looks brand new except for a very very small hole. The tire literally got a hole, the first rim ding after putting on Cushcore.Pat M.

The Forekaster is a really nice tire for fall riding when things are sometimes wet and dry with dead leaves. It offers predictable grip. The only thing is be aware that this is the 1st generation not the new version that came out in 2022. Also it says that it’s t mesure 2.35 but when mounted tubeless on my 30mm inner rim they only mesure 2.35 instead.Stphane E.

When I purchased my 2019 Orbea OCCAM H30 trail bike in July 2019, it came from the factory with a 29" x 2.40" Maxxis Ardent front tire and a 29" x 2.35" Maxxis Forekaster rear tire with tubes. Running the factory tubes, they were fantastic until that Fall 2019 when everything started falling from the trees and pecan shells / acorn tops were causing constant flats. At that point, I converted both tires over to tubeless using Stan's tubeless kit. BEST DECISION EVER!!! These tire easily sealed up to my tubeless ready wheels with only having to use a floor pump (no compressor needed). I've changed the sealant approx. every 6 months and have experienced zero flats in almost 2 years of riding. Even with drastic temperatures changes in both directions and sometimes not being able to ride for 4-6 days, I've only experience a 2-4 psi loss in these tires. On the trails, the Forekaster performs outstanding on a variety of terrain! I've ridden my bike on Spider Mountain Bike Park, Palo Duro Canyon, Angel Fire Bike Park, and Taos Ski Valley's Green Chili Flow Trail without any tire durability or performance issues. With my MTB gear, I'm aprox. 230-235 lbs. On my local trail (a combo of crushed limestone, paved trails, and neighborhood streets), I typically run 35 psi front & rear. On more rougher trails, I'll bump the pressures down to 28 psi front / 30 psi rear. These tires can take a punch too! My local trail has a constant problem with Crestwood /Rivercrest "Karens" who think they're entitled to let their un-obedient dogs on the trails without being on leashes. On one ride, an oncoming unleashed English Bulldog attacked my front Ardent tire. With very steep 50 ft. sheer drops on both sides of this particular section of trail, I had no choice but to run over the dog as I was breaking. As my Ardent front tire rolled over the English Bulldog's husky neck, dog released it's bite on my tire, was completely uninjured, and actually seemed to be impressed with the Ardent's dual compound EXO Protection! ?? I've ridden 10 miles every 2-3 days for almost 2 years now and I still have plenty of usable tread left. I recently purchased a replacement set of the same Maxxis tires for when the time comes to replace them. Both the Maxxis Ardent and Forekaster tires are offered in several different single dual compound casing options. I definitely recommend spending the few extra bucks for the dual compound EXO Protection casing option, they perform outstanding!Jacob

Got the Forekaster 29×2.35 because I wanted a lighter and faster rolling rear tire than the Aggressor 2.5WT that came with my bike and have been very pleased. Rolling resistance is marginally better, but it definitely spins up faster on flat ground. Biggest difference has been in climbing where I notice that each push of the pedals translates to more acceleration thanks to the significant weight savings vs the Aggressor. I set several climbing PRs after switching to the new tire. Traction on loose over hard is less vs. the Aggressor. I notice the rear tire sliding more when going down steep, dry sections of trail, but no issue with traction on climbs or flat. Definitely worth the slight reduction in traction to gain the climbing speed.Adam

Bought these as a sister pair to my favorite Aspen WT 2.4s to use for the rockier events i race. I have 4-5 rides on the Rekon Race's now on a Santa Cruz Blur TR and am impressed with the cornering grip and low rolling resistance with that same high volume compliant ride I've come to love about the Aspen 2.4s. One of the two has a slight side wobble to it but nothing serious. Overall I really like them.Michael M.

I typically run the Ikons. I wanted to try the Rekon Race. I LOVE this tire! It is WAY faster than the Ikon. I have been running it on some of my less technical rides, it's a great tire for Xterra events. It is super fast rolling, good grip, I still have my teeth! Trophies galore, without trying.Zoe N.

Very low rolling resistance made tires feel very fast on flats and gravel, and even on pavement. Currently running tubeless setup and ran 20lbs. This created a supple cushion over various roots and rocks. Perfect for a XC racerRomito B.

Side knobs start to COME OFF off within 900 km of xc use. 6 knobs are completely torn off already. I replaced the same tire model this year after 4 years / 10000 km and the old worn tire had all the side knobs intact. DO NOT BUY!Gabor Fr.

V2 Race King is awesome. I have about 2000 miles on it and rode/raced in every condition including mud at 2019 Iceman Cometh. It's fast, grippy, and highly durable. One of my all time favorites.Frederick

All the reviews said buy the Assegai. The guy at the bike shop said, “buy the Assegai”. My mate rides and swears by the Assegai…… I bought the tan wall Minion as they look better than the Assegai.Matthew M.

Pros: Great looking tyre with the darker tan walls. Great balance of attributes with this tire and compound. Cons: Slightly narrower than advertised…Tread measures about 57mm across and 150mm bead to bead so it's more like a 2.25" in terms of tread width and more like a 2.35" in terms of depth and volume. Slightly heavier…my two come in at 941g and 944gDave

I rode a variety of terrain. Around my house i have to jump on and off the road a fair amount, to get from one trail to another. On the road this tire had a lot of felt resistance. On the other hand if your ridding in wet swampy areas, this tire is at home. As long as you keep Your feet moving this tire will get you through it. This tire has also be extremely tough. I was getting leaks or flats on about every other ride with a light Xc tire. I have not had one issue since I switched to this.By Mongo

The grip of the DHF is undisputed, so I'm not even going to address that here. If you're ordering the 29 x 2.5 dual compound tire, know that while the tire is foldable, the casing is the DH casing, which means it is HEAVY. Two 60 TPI plies. That fact is not clear on EVO's webpage at all, but that is not unique to EVO. I've seen other sellers doing the same. I have it mounted on a 29mm inner width rim and at it's widest, it measures out as a 2.5 from knob to knob. The carcass measures around 58mm at a normal riding pressure. You can get the carcass to measure 63mm by pumping it up to the max pressure of 50 psi. It might stretch out a bit if you leave it there for 48 hours. Based on my (somewhat limited) experience with Maxxis, narrower than advertised is fairly typical for them. At any rate, being dual compound with a DH casing, this is a tire that I'll be living with for quite a while. One of the pros is that it is nearly indestructible, so I can feel free to slam into most anything. The DHF is one of those tires that comes in so many configurations that most anyone can find one that will put them in their happy place. Just know what you're ordering.Oldern'slower

Recently purchased a new bike and it came with 2.4's. The bike I'm replacing it with has a 2.8 in the front and 2.6 rear. Definitely not a fan of the narrower tires the new bike has so went up to 2.6 in the front. It does make a difference and just don't understand this trend back to the 90's with narrow tires. I ride mostly technical, rocky, rooty New England trails and the 2.4's just don't track like wider tires. At least I found this and it's working well.Jeremy S.

Did a lot of research on these Minion DHF vs DHR's and it came down to basically ones personal preference. I chose these tires for the durability, gripping capability especial for downhill sharp turns and technical trails. Great rollover on rocks and great tractions on those steep climbs. Plus I love the overall look of the tan wall…put them on my Cannondale Habit (29r) and have just been having a blast on the trails with confidence. Maxxis has not let me down! Thanks EVO for your help in choosing the right tires for my liking. -RogerRoger

Amazing grip, surprisingly fast rolling and reliable like a best friend. I don’t feel slowed down at all when comparing these to my past racing Ralphs. The compound is pretty soft for XC tires, but you have enough tread, that they’ll last long enough. I’ve had really bad experiences with control casing so I wouldn’t dare use anything without grid. The extra weight is worth it, and I cannot stress this enough. I personally can’t see needing anymore grip than this tire provides. If feels more aggressive than previous generation. I haven’t tested these in mud, snow, or wet. They were a little tougher to mount than other specialized, schwalbe, and maxxis tires I’ve had, but still didn’t need anything beyond a floor pump and some love.David

My first ride with these I had set the tire pressure at around 20 psi and I felt that they didn't have much grip. But after some deduction I figured out I should be at around 16 psi and that has made a big difference. The grid casing is actually quite sturdy and thick so it can handle lower tire pressure pretty well. I would have thought 16 psi was way too low for a 29×2.35 tire but I was wrong. Now that I've ridden them for 2 months I can say they work great for my riding (dry midwest). They don't grip like a DHF but that's ok. They are noticeably fast rolling and have enough grip for me to still have confidence on hard trails. Super versatile tire. One major downside is they were 10/10 difficulty to mount onto my wheels. It was so hard omg. I had to use a tire lever to just put the first side on… A super gorgeous tire too. Cleanly designed and the tread even looks kinda cool (if that's possible?)Taylor

I wanted to love these tires, but I don't. Let's start with the looks, they LOOK great. Second, they are grippy. Third, and this is the worst part, they are fragile. Riding all the same trails I normally do, I have experienced the following: a puncture that required an internal patch after 30 miles on the tires, a large puncture on the center tread that continuously tears open and is constantly wet with sealant (needs a patch internally as well) and after 380 miles, a single ride in Moab left me with a 6cm slash across the rubber casing (though this has not caused any loss of air or sealant). In short, the rear tire needs to be replaced after 400 miles. Having ridden Maxxis tires before this pair, I'll be switching back or to a Vittoria tire. I think this tire makes for a great front option, but contrary to other reviews, these tires are not fast; not at least compared to the aggressive/race tires I'm used to.Jared

Very happy with these. Previously I ran crossmark 2 2.1” for many thousands of Kms, I think I’ve consumed 6 of those. Anyways got some wet conditions and wasn’t happy with how packed up with mud they got. These have solved that issue. Took 100km riding to loose harmonic noise. Overall extremely impressed. Will continue running this on the rear and a 2.25” crossmark 2 on the front. XC fire trails and lots of ashphaltNimer J.

I have not been riding much lately. Just put in new rims and some ardent. Got a sidewall cut on my 3rd ride. It’s a slow leave so not sure where I picked it up. I bought a new Ardent. They changed the direction of travel arrow to some goofy swoosh. Put the arrow/triangle back.BCH

Before I moved to the wet, muddy, and rooty Pacific Northwest, I spent six years riding out of Fort Collins, CO. Dusty hardpack hicking trails littered with baby heads were my stomping (or cycling) grounds, conditions that require a certain compromise in tread pattern to maintain traction. The Maxxis Ardent became my rear tire of choice for these arid conditions. The knobs are closely spaced enough that it rolls quickly, yet aggressive enough that there is loads of stopping power when you need it. The widely spaced transition knobs offer enough feedback that you can comfortably zoom through those off camber bench cuts that Colorado is known for, and then lay into those steep switchbacks knowing the fairly aggressive cornering knobs may slide for a second on that moondust, but will catch you in time to keep you away from the abyss. One common encounter in these rocky, desert conditions is slashed sidewalls. Although Maxxis doesn't make the lightest tires in the business, they do know how to make a tire that can hold up to abuse. The EXO casing is above par in terms of it's ability to fend off sharp rocks that are doing their best to slice through and send your tire sealant spewing all over the place. If a fast rolling yet aggressive tire for dry, arid conditions is what you need, I'd highly recommend the Ardent. Like I mentioned, I'd typically run this tire in the rear, usually in the form of a 2.25 with the EXO casing. For a front tire in dry conditions, I personally like the ubiquitous DHF, but the Schwalbe Nobby Nic also does a good job if you are looking for something a little less aggressive.Dan P.

This tyre wouldn't go on my rim , it's soooo tight ! I purchased seriously robust tyre levers to (try) get it on but just scratched the hell outta my rim and badly punchured the inner tube trying to do it , I've never in my life seen/had a tyre that hard/physically impossible to get on and it's done alot of damage attempting it , and essentially ended my downhill bikes capability to use. it wasn't cheap either, and my dad actually somehow got the tyre on the rim( with out inner tube though) to what he said 'strech the tyre' but now it's literally just stuck and that's the end of my downhill bike . A very unhappy individual for falling for this product. No stars from me.jhil_382

One of the only tyres available in 2.8 size with a DH casing. Unbelievably tough and strong. As the sidewalls are super thick, mounting is a bit of a challenge but mine went on fairly easily. Also the only 2.8 available in addix soft (front and rear). Heavy, but super strong and all the grip you could need. Stuff sidewalls prevents squirming even at low pressures in plus size. Great ebike rear tyre.George A.

I went through a few Maxxis DHR tires. I kept puncturing them. I'm a heavy guy on an ebike. I have this tire on one of my bikes and a schwalbe eddy current on my other bike. Both tires have solved my problem. These tire are tough. They might be a little heavier but atleast I know I can rely on them. They grip well too. I ride mostly dry rocky terrain.Mitch

Light fast rolling. Using as mtb and gravel tires. The sidewalls weep a little at first when set up tubeless. Not the easiest to seat the bead either. Might get the tubeless light versions next time.sapperlord

The traction is unparalleled to any other tire that I have ridden, unless you enjoy going parallel then that may be a bit too extreme for any tire. I enjoy ripping the trail and playing in the mud. There hasn't been any trail, rock, dirt, sand, mud or asphalt that this tire doesn't perform well on. I leave an impression wherever I ride 😉 The Double Down componentry of the 2×120 tpi sidewall is asinine! The Maxgrip allows for plenty of traction and gumminess on the trail that even my CLIF BLOKS have a bit of chewy competition to look forward to. You can ride until your heart is dialog satisfied with the performance of your tire and the confidence it inspires in the climates you throw at it. Enjoy more of the season with less worry, and choose MAXXIS ASSEGAI 👊🏼🤙🏼Clayton

I first purchased the Shorty two seasons ago (2014) as a replacement for the Schwalbe Magic Mary. I was a fan of the magic mary but wanted something in the rear with a better braking profile. I started on the regular Shorty, and have now switched to the Wide Trail (WT) spacing now that I am running 30+mm wide rims. When it comes to tires, performance and longevity seem to be the name of the game. The shorty is Maxxis' new take on a chopped mud spike derived from its big brother the Wet Scream , similar to the likes of what Schwalbe did for the Magic Mary due to how many team riders were chopping their Dirty Dans. The theory behind the shorty is a faster rolling mud spike with similar grip tendencies. And while the shorty achieves this in large strides it has totally blown me away with how versatile a tire it actually is; the wide spacing between knobs fling themselves clean with ease and still hold grip without feeling like there are any dead spots, all while cutting an edge in turns. I've been riding the shorty for two season now, primarily as a rear tire (though it's still a stellar front tread) paired with a Mary in the front, especially for the unpredictable conditions in the PNW it's hard to beat this gravity oriented combo. The Shorty really can do it all, it may not be the fastest rolling tire but if going downhill is your lust than the Shorty may be for you.Keagan K.

This tire has an amazing amount of grip, the rolling resistance is slightly decreased versus other tires like Maxxis DHF or High Roller. I have had this on the rear of my enduro 20' Nukeproof Mega 29 for a few races and the grip around corners, over rocky terrain, and sloppy slippy sections was without a problem. I have it now on my downhill Banshee Darkside on front, and it steers true at speed, takes corners high and fast, and is durable as I have been riding a few times a month, 8-10 rounds per outing. At speed, it takes corners at Hugh angle without slipping or sliding out as the side tread holds very well. Braking is very efficient, as I have had tested this with peeps cutting me off and having to make massively rapid stops. I run the double down, super durable and whole running low PSI, handles very well, especially when paired with Cushcore, even down to 18 over heavy rock tech with no issues. Haven't had a burp yet. This is great for front enduro, or front or rear downhill, if you want less rolling resistance, look to DHF/DHR or Michelin Wild Enduro. But if you got better legs than myself or going main downhill, these are the fit.Brian

Tried a lot of tires / combos on my Ripmo and settled on Minion DHF 2.5 EXO+ WT front, dissector 2.4 EXO+ WT rear both maxx terra. Big fan of this combo in northern california / bay area. 35mm rims and I weigh 150 lbs. I didnt like dissector in front (with dissector rear) – I think it's too limiting of the fox 36, doesnt track nearly as well or grip nearly as well as 2.5 DHF in front. I think it'd be better on a bike with a fox 34 – my friend has that with rekon rear on his Rocky Mountain instinct with 30mm rims and really likes that combo. For perspective I hated the aggressor rear (too washy) and I also have an EXO+ DHRII for when I go ride much more gnarly borderline DH trails – it has better grip and braking than dissector but quite slower rolling. Normal ride is 10 miles with 1500 ft climbing, roots, rock gardens, and some flowy dirt/dust sections and DHF + Dissector is great for this. Havent tried Assegai, maybe ill try in front sometime but probably not.jeffff18

Maxxis provides us yet another tire option to maximize our fun. The gap between center and side knobs, similar to the Minion DHF, allows the side knobs to get a good bite when the bike is leaned over into a corner. This design works when there is enough cushion on the trail to bite. The tire rolls OK, but not as fast as the Recon.Old Washoe Varmint

I wanted a bit faster rolling tread to get up the fire roads before the downs and the Dissector was definitely it. It’s the illegitimate child of the DHR and Aggressor with the openness and similar speed of a large Ardent. Don’t read this wrong as it’s similar to those but not quite “all the things perfectly together”. On the downs it doesn’t have as much grip as the DHR but has better braking than the Agressor, doesn’t drop traction like an Ardent causing a foot out but clears tread better than the Agressor with a significantly better cornering traction. For me it’s back to the DHRII(and DHF in dead of winter) as I love the traction and predictable nature of these tires yet if I lived in dry slabby areas like western Colorado or especially Moab and AZ it would a great contender as well as an aggressive back tire for lower more shallow altitudes. This is all in regards to the 2.4 EXO+ in those tires rear mounted only. 160 travel 29’rChristopher L.

I gave these tires a chance thinking that I just needed to get used to them. I even have Continental tires on my cars which are great! But after 100 miles or so I'm completely underwhelmed – no…. completely frightened to ride on them anymore. I'm actually going to throw these out and put the worn out High Rollers back on the bike. They perform waaayyy better even in their current state. -The shoulder lugs offer zero traction when rolling over rocks or roots. The tires are constantly getting kicked off to the side. Yes, all tires to this to an extent, but these do it to an extreme. -The casing is very springy which causes the tires to bounce like a basketball when going down the trail. I've lowered my pressures which helps but I can only go so low before rolling resistance and bottoming out on the rim become a problem. -The slightest bit of moisture or mud on the trail is akin to rolling on ice. -For some reason I find sticks and twigs getting kicked up into my spokes and deraileur constantly. This only ever happens occasionally with other tires I've used. It's only a matter of time until some damage is done to me or my bike. This tire is probably *fine* if you only ride on well groomed trails, but if you throw anything slightly technical at them they fail miserably.Sean

great value. I don't have a lot to compare it to. I bought it for an inexpensive tubeless option. It was easy to mount. No issues sealing and holding air. I haven't had any issues with traction except for over wet roots and I'm pretty sure the issue is 90% rider.Leo

I am rebuilding a Classic Cannondale V-Frame Mountain bike for my neighbor. These are the perfect tire for a 26 inch bike and look like they will have some speed and nice rolling action. Looking forward to getting feedback from my neighbor. I would consider buying them in a 29 inch form for my bike.DAVE

Been looking for these to replace my current Velociraptor I bought in 2016. Rubber has a shelf life and tires should be replaced after 6 years regardless of tread wear. Be nice if WTB would release some with a Kevlar bead instead of a wire one and apply a nylon layer inside so Tuffy liners won't be necessary.Christopher H.

Best tire ever, except don't reverse the rear for mud, it doesn't help with traction, and slows you in the street reversed too if turned to mud and left on got to 30 mph with these tires on my 97 gt rts 3 I recommend them. So far best tires I ever owned, ran out and bought a second pair, they are that good! Tested many tires im picky with my tires.Christopher Anthony Betz

Velociraptors came stock on my new Bianchi Lynx in 2003. They held up for 6 solid years of mostly pavement and a fair amount of dirt roads. The rear just loved snow and mud. Being bi-directional was a major plus. The front was kinda squirrely in loose snow and on ice. It handled nicely on packed snow. In mud it was adequate. Both gave excellent traction on dry surfaces and turns. I rode to work many times on ice and really had to pick my battles, so to speak, with the front tire. i had to look for the roughest ice and ride on it the whole way for the traction. I might have gotten 1-2 more years out of the treads, but the sidewalls started peeling. This may have been due to the weight they were carrying, 275 lbs. + an extra 30-40 lbs. on grocery day(!). UV rays at altitude may also have been a factor. I have experimented with other brands/patterns, but the Velociraptors lasted the longest and gave the most satisfaction. I have another year or so to go on the current (non-VR) tires, then i expect i'll get VR's again and buy a different front tire for winter, saving the front for better weather. I treat the things i own with respect, so they last longer than normal. VR's lifetimes may vary with riding styles. PROS: Longevity Traction CONS: Front not so good in snowRODNEY

The grip of the DHF is undisputed, so I'm not even going to address that here. If you're ordering the 29 x 2.5 dual compound tire, know that while the tire is foldable, the casing is the DH casing, which means it is HEAVY. Two 60 TPI plies. That fact is not clear on EVO's webpage at all, but that is not unique to EVO. I've seen other sellers doing the same. I have it mounted on a 29mm inner width rim and at it's widest, it measures out as a 2.5 from knob to knob. The carcass measures around 58mm at a normal riding pressure. You can get the carcass to measure 63mm by pumping it up to the max pressure of 50 psi. It might stretch out a bit if you leave it there for 48 hours. Based on my (somewhat limited) experience with Maxxis, narrower than advertised is fairly typical for them. At any rate, being dual compound with a DH casing, this is a tire that I'll be living with for quite a while. One of the pros is that it is nearly indestructible, so I can feel free to slam into most anything. The DHF is one of those tires that comes in so many configurations that most anyone can find one that will put them in their happy place. Just know what you're ordering.Oldern'slower

Recently purchased a new bike and it came with 2.4's. The bike I'm replacing it with has a 2.8 in the front and 2.6 rear. Definitely not a fan of the narrower tires the new bike has so went up to 2.6 in the front. It does make a difference and just don't understand this trend back to the 90's with narrow tires. I ride mostly technical, rocky, rooty New England trails and the 2.4's just don't track like wider tires. At least I found this and it's working well.Jeremy S.

Did a lot of research on these Minion DHF vs DHR's and it came down to basically ones personal preference. I chose these tires for the durability, gripping capability especial for downhill sharp turns and technical trails. Great rollover on rocks and great tractions on those steep climbs. Plus I love the overall look of the tan wall…put them on my Cannondale Habit (29r) and have just been having a blast on the trails with confidence. Maxxis has not let me down! Thanks EVO for your help in choosing the right tires for my liking. -RogerRoger

I’m a huge Maxxis fan, and the Ardents are another great example of why I love Maxxis tires. These are fast rolling but still aggressive tread. I haven’t put a ton of miles on them yet, but they mounted up tubeless easily and ride and look great. Thanks to Cambria Bike for a great deal and fast shipping too, top notch!Josh M.

Before I moved to the wet, muddy, and rooty Pacific Northwest, I spent six years riding out of Fort Collins, CO. Dusty hardpack hicking trails littered with baby heads were my stomping (or cycling) grounds, conditions that require a certain compromise in tread pattern to maintain traction. The Maxxis Ardent became my rear tire of choice for these arid conditions. The knobs are closely spaced enough that it rolls quickly, yet aggressive enough that there is loads of stopping power when you need it. The widely spaced transition knobs offer enough feedback that you can comfortably zoom through those off camber bench cuts that Colorado is known for, and then lay into those steep switchbacks knowing the fairly aggressive cornering knobs may slide for a second on that moondust, but will catch you in time to keep you away from the abyss. One common encounter in these rocky, desert conditions is slashed sidewalls. Although Maxxis doesn't make the lightest tires in the business, they do know how to make a tire that can hold up to abuse. The EXO casing is above par in terms of it's ability to fend off sharp rocks that are doing their best to slice through and send your tire sealant spewing all over the place. If a fast rolling yet aggressive tire for dry, arid conditions is what you need, I'd highly recommend the Ardent. Like I mentioned, I'd typically run this tire in the rear, usually in the form of a 2.25 with the EXO casing. For a front tire in dry conditions, I personally like the ubiquitous DHF, but the Schwalbe Nobby Nic also does a good job if you are looking for something a little less aggressive.Dan P.

I don't normally leave reviews but thought my experience could help others. I've ridden with this as a rear tire for the last 6 months and many, many miles and rides across Arizona, Utah and Colorado. 1) This was the hardest tire ever for me to get on the inside of the rim. No issues seating tubeless after that though. 2) Sidewalls are VERY thin. So thin sealant constantly leaks through them everywhere (see photo). I have to constantly add more sealant than I've added on other tires to keep them from going flat or very low on a regular basis. 3) Grip was noticeably improved over my warn Bontrager XR2s but the tire is narrower. But that's what "race" is going for I guess.Kevin C

I had to change the tires on my double bike and they recommended the Pirelli Scorpion. I am delighted with them, the little weight they gain compared to the previous ones is more than compensated for the control you gain on descents.Albert