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Maxxis Minion Kevlar DH F+R | $66
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Maxxis Minion Kevlar DH F+R

BikeRadar verdict

45 out of 5 stars

"The Minion has super-confident all conditions grip at a great price"

By Guy Kesteven

The Minion has been the downhiller’s favourite for years, and this lightweight version brings that ‘take all comers’ confidence to the trail. Quite simply, the Minion blew us away with its performance on every ride we took it on. Great stuff.

This is a tyre that instils confidence in all conditions. It has excellent grip and traction, even in winter conditions. It's tough and great value for money. 

The mid-height, multi-shaped tread looks slow, but actually rolls surprisingly well, and this single-ply Kevlar-beaded version is pretty light for its category. For a bit more speed two Minion Fs are a great combo.

Traction levels are superb, with the varying tread shape leaving no obvious gaps in grip, whether you’re hard on the brakes or rolling right over onto the shoulders. This lets you push it hard on loose rock or roots with consistent confidence.

Tread sipes and decent spacing mean it clears quickly in filth, handling winter work as well as most winter-specific tyres.

While it’s not as bombproof as its double-ply downhill brothers, the Minion handled sizeable drops, random rock gardens and low-pressure use without complaint.

User Reviews

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  • User review of Maxxis Minion Kevlar DH F+R

    Very disappointed with these tyres - the sidewalls felt very flimsy and even at normal pressure the tyre felt as if it was moving. I noticed when they were fitted that they went on very easily and my concerns were realised when one came off the rim in a tricky section and caused me to crash! I will certainly be steering clear of these tyres - and probably this brand if truth be told - in the future, especially as there are plenty of better performing tyres readily available!

    0.3
  • User review of Maxxis Minion Kevlar DH F+R

    I have the double ply tyres and use them for all mountain use - not necessarily just DH courses. They are heavy and the bigger carcas actually tricked a friend into thinking that there was at least 20psi in the tube when there was zero but these Kevlar walls sound awsome. Run them at low pressue for extra grip if you wish but these buggers were never short of grip in the first place. For a summer ride I swapped back to my panaracer XCs and had a really nasty crash because I didn't realise the gulf in grip and returned my minions to the wheels as soon as I got home. Heavy but rolling resistance isn't too bad and it more than makes up for it if you are the kind of rider that seeks the fastest technical descents. Now i only move them off (with screwdrivers I might add) when I'm doing long distance rides. And they get replaced for Maxxis Highrollers which I love. And I'm looking at another Maxxis for my hot n dry summer tyre.

    0.3
  • User review of Maxxis Minion Kevlar DH F+R

    very interested to try these out on my slopestyle bike, where rotating weight is very important

    as a Stan's No-Tubes used, the new kevlar Minion could be just what i am looking for in a front tire, I currently use the wire bead single ply Minion 2.35" ST on the front and the Specialized Fast Trak LK 2 Bliss 2.0 on the rear which gives a fast rolling yet grippy combo on the dirt jumps and timber stunts

    with Stan's you can run enough pressure to give even thinnner carcass tires support, but enjoy an enhanced level of grip from the lack of inner tubes, and obviously never experience pinch punctures ;)

    Maxxis make easily the best tires on the market, and this new one looks like a winner...

    0.3
  • User review of Maxxis Minion Kevlar DH F+R

    just got back from the 2nd ride with these tyres but initial impressions are very good.

    I have been looking for a tyre that will give me bucket loads of grip on the downhill sections but won't punish too much going up (I usually ride Nobby Nic Evos). These are exactly what I needed.

    Firstly along the flat and going up - the tyres are kevlar beaded but at 690g they are not that light - however the sidewalls are more stable than some featherweight tyres and there is simply lots more rubber and the studs are nice and high. The compund is also harder than the downhill versions so you don't get any "swimmy" feel from them. They grip well on loose and technical uphill well too which in my opinion is more important that a few gramms saved - nothing annoys more than the rear tyre slipping under power.

    Finally, going down - I found it hard to find the limits of the tyres, they do slide but in a very predictable way and I found myself pushing harder through sections with confidence. Loose rocks and roots really are no problem and moist woodland is a joy - you can carve such a tight line. I also found that I got out of a few hairy situations because of the extra traction I had (at one point closing my eyes thinking that I had hit the tree only to find that I had somehow gone around it!).

    I can highly recomment these tyres (I'm running 2 F's).

    0.3
  • User review of Maxxis Minion Kevlar DH F+R

    Firstly was a little reluctant with these tires as my last set of fastish tires sent me sideways round a corner gripping handlebars that were there a minute ago but had somehow disappeared...anyway once you get past the buying of larger innertubes-v easy-superb tires cant fault them, with a kenda nevegal on the back can do pretty much anything u like with one of these at the front and wear is soo good . ALSO if your tires are too loose pump it up DUH run them hard as theres, dare i say it, too much grip most of the time anyway.

    0.3

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