The High Roller is a legendary all-rounder, so when Maxxis announced the updated High Roller II, we couldn't wait to give it a try. It sits alongside the original tyre in the Maxxis range, with two initial compound options – 60a or 3C – and a Super Tacky version available from February.
Sizing-wise, the High Roller II comes in a 2.4in width, meaning you'll get sufficient clearance on most downhill bikes, even in muddy conditions. We were given a pair by Maxxis to test out in Les Gets, France in June and we've given them a serious thrashing.
The first noticeable difference over the original High Rollers was the rolling resistance – the High Roller II is impressively fast. When cornering, it doesn't have the same vague patch at mid-lean that its predecessor suffered from, instead offering really predictable grip.
Even into slides it remains totally predictable, giving you more confidence and allowing you to ride with some serious aggression. The 3C versions have worn well but we think we'd go for the 60a compound tyres (£47.99) for general riding and stick to the 3Cs for race use if we had the cash.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine.
