Maxxis has been the silverback gorilla of the mountain bike tyre industry for quite some time. The brand’s rubber frequents the top step of XC, Enduro and Downhill World Cups and is a dependable choice for everyday riders alike.
Being one of the larger outfits in the game, Maxxis seemingly offers a tread pattern for any scenario, totalling 21 different tyres in the brand’s lineup! This broad range, combined with multiple casing and rubber compound options, results in a bamboozling amount of choice. We got our hands on a range of tread patterns, casings and rubber compounds from Maxxis to break down the tech and see how they perform.
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Maxxis Tread Pattern Overview
With a selection of tread patterns so wide, we could nearly ride a different tyre for every day of February. We’ve carefully selected options that cover the widest variety of terrain and conditions we encounter here in Australia. While this is not an exhaustive test, the chosen tread patterns are what we see as the ‘daily-drivers’, and we’ve avoided the specialist tread patterns like the Severe and Wetscream that are only designed for certain conditions.
Maxxis Assegai
The Assegai is the brainchild of Greg Minnaar, arguably the greatest mountain bike rider of all time. The Assegai quickly became one of the most popular tyres in the brand’s catalogue. Featuring an aggressive tread pattern with large deep knobs running through the centre and sides of each tyre, the Assegai sports intermediate knobs that help to maintain traction when leaning the bike over. From slick mud to loose, dry dust, the Assegai is a dependable performer, but don’t expect it to win an XC race anytime soon, as all that traction comes at the cost of weight and rolling resistance.
Maxxis High Roller 3
Launched in mid-2024, the reborn High Roller is now in its third iteration; however, it has made a significant departure from its predecessors. While the High Roller 2 was a fast-rolling tyre designed for dry-loose conditions, the High Roller 3 is now dubbed a hybrid tyre that slots between the Assegai and the mud-specific Shorty in the brand’s lineup. The new intermediate tyre combines an open tread pattern with large, sturdy side knobs, enabling effective soil penetration in wet weather, along with the improved traction and cornering control required for dry and dusty conditions. The tread layout is very similar to the Maxxis Shorty, the brand’s mud-specific tyre, albeit with larger side lugs and different siping.
Maxxis Minion DHF
The Minion DHF is a gravity-focused tyre that has been in the brand’s lineup for years. While the iconic DHF has been overshadowed by the Assegai in recent years, it is still a worthy consideration and a top performer. The DHF offers better rolling efficiency and traction in a variety of conditions, but the gap between the centre and shoulder tread means you’ll need to commit and lean the bike more for it to engage fully.
Maxxis Minion DHR II
Designed in line with the Minion DHF, the DHR II remains an incredibly popular choice for Enduro and DH riders alike. As the name suggests, the DHR II was initially designed as a rear tyre, with a broad square-edged central lug for braking traction and a ramped profile on the leading edge to reduce rolling resistance. It has also become a popular choice as a front tyre thanks to its predictable cornering traction and fast-rolling characteristics.
Dissector
Developed by Aussie DH legend Troy Brosnan, the Maxxis Dissector was originally designed as a fast-rolling, rear-specific tyre for dry and dusty trails. The Dissector features repeating rows of ramped tread blocks down the centre, positioned to boost rolling speed compared to something like a Minion DHR. To preserve braking traction—critical for a rear tyre—these centre blocks have sharp, flat backs to provide solid grip when the anchors drop. Meanwhile, the transition blocks are siped to enhance flexibility under pressure, particularly during hard braking.
Maxxis Forekaster
Designed specifically for the modern trail bike, Maxxis calls the Forekaster its ‘Goldilocks’ option that performs in all conditions. With its tall lug profile and broad spacing, the Forekaster bites into soft or loose soil while providing predictable traction, yet it has rolling characteristics more akin to an XC tyre. Maxxis states that the new Forekaster is designed to fill the gap between its cross-country race-oriented tyres, such as the Rekon and Ikon, and its more rugged, gravity-focused options, like the Minion and Dissector.
Rekon
The Rekon is an aggressive XC or trail tyre designed with inspiration from the Maxxis Ikon for tackling intermediate and technical terrain. Its wide centre knobs aim to offer reliable braking control, while L-shaped side knobs deliver solid support during tight, loose turns. Targeted at loose-dry terrain, the Rekon offers fast rolling XC-like characteristics while boasting a broader performance window than a dedicated XC race tyre.
Rekon Race
The Rekon Race is a fast-rolling semi-slick tyre with closely spaced micro-knobs, offering greater versatility than the race-specific Aspen. While it’s still quick enough to line up between the tape, the Rekon Race excels on more technical courses and can also serve as a daily driver for riders who prioritise low rolling resistance. For dedicated XC racers, the Rekon Race can serve as both a front or rear tyre, however folks tackling a broader range of terrain may be better suited to a Rekon or Forekaster up front.
Aspen
A proper race-ready option, the Aspen has propelled riders to the top step of many World Cup XCO podiums, and Maxxis has kept it unchanged for years, a testament to its winning design. With its super low-profile centre tread, the Aspen rolls incredibly fast. At the same time, the more substantial, blocky corner knobs provide enough grip to carry that speed through turns without feeling too sketchy — where many low profile tyres often struggle. The Aspen and its even lower profile cousin the Aspen ST have even started showing up on gravel race bikes, with top pros choosing it for its larger volume and speed, further proving just how quick these suckers roll.

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Maxxis Rubber Compounds
Dual Compound
In addition to its range of triple-compound rubber, the Maxxis also offers dual and single-compound alternatives in certain tread patterns. These are usually designed as lower-cost alternatives with increased durability and lower rolling resistance; however, they do sacrifice some grip.
The triple compound, denoted by the brand’s ‘3C’ designation, is what Maxxis claims is the ultimate no-compromise, racing performance rubber and offers the best blend of traction, rolling resistance, and durability.
MaxxSpeed
As the name suggests, the MaxxSpeed compound is the brand’s top-tier rubber designed for XC racing. Its high silica content reduces rolling resistance while improving traction in wet conditions. In 2023, MaxxSpeed was revised to a single-compound construction, superseding the older triple-compound MaxxSpeed 3C offering. This change is claimed to have reduced rolling resistance by 25% compared to its predecessor.
3C MaxxTerra
The 3C MaxxTerra compound is an intermediate triple-compound configuration available throughout the majority of Maxxis’ tread patterns. Offering more traction than MaxxSpeed, it also delivers better tread life and lower rolling resistance compared to the sticky MaxxGrip. On trail bikes, this is often used on both the front and rear, aiming to offer a balance between speed and traction. Alternatively, a MaxxTerra rear tyre is frequently paired with a MaxxGrip front, to balance ultimate purchase up front and improved rolling resistance and wear life in the rear.
3CMaxxGrip
Maxxis’ 3C MaxxGrip compound uses the stickiest, slowest rebounding rubber available for maximum traction in mixed conditions. This compound is not available in the brand’s XC offerings; instead, it is reserved for its gravity-orientated tyres, like the High Roller 3, Assegai, or DHR II. With ultimate traction comes a compromise in rolling resistance, with the MaxxGrip compound having a noticeable increase in drag compared to an equivalent MaxxTerra tyre.
Maxxis Tyre Casings
EXO
EXO is the lightest casing option within Maxxis lineup of MTB tyres. It is typically suited to XC and light-duty trail riding. Built around the brand’s EXO rubberised fabric insert for sidewall protection, these tyres are available in either a 60TPI or 120TPI casing, depending on its intended use.
EXO+
EXO+ is Maxxis’ medium-duty puncture protection offering, best suited to trail bikes or lightweight e-MTBs. Sporting a durable 60 TPI casing and the EXO puncture protection layer in the sidewalls, the EXO+ casing sees a butyl insert around the bead for additional reinforcement.
DoubleDown
DoubleDown is Maxxis’ gravity casing with improved durability compared to EXO+. It combines two layers of 120 TPI casing material paired with a butyl sidewall insert. The result is a highly durable tyre that delivers a more sprightly feeling compared to a Downhill casing. When comparing a like-for-like DoubleDown and Downhill casing tyre there are only minor weight differences, however the key distinction lies in increased feedback and feel the DoubleDown version exhibits.
Downhill
As you can probably surmise, Maxxis’ Downhill casing is the brand’s most durable offering. It is designed for the roughest terrain and delivers the highest damping and a muted feeling on the trail. This casing features a double-layered 60TPI construction paired with large butyl inserts that extend from each bead, further assisting in puncture protection and sidewall support. These aren’t just for the downhill folk, though. They are well suited to heavier riders on Enduro bikes or full-powered e-MTBs chasing maximum durability.
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Assegai & Minion DHR II | Specialized Levo
- Front tyre: Maxxis Assegai, 29×2.5in, DH Casing, MaxxGrip 3C (1458g confirmed)
- Rear tyre: Maxxis DHR II, 29×2.4in, DH Casing, MaxxTerra 3C (1354g confirmed)
We strapped a set of Maxxis E-50-rated tyres to one of our Specialized Levos. Tyres sporting the E-50 hot patch have gone through an additional testing protocol to ensure they’re rated for the increased weight, torque, and speed dished out by modern electric mountain bikes that, in certain parts of the world, are capable of travelling up to 50km/h.
It is worth noting that for the Maxxis E-50-rated tyres, the brand hasn’t changed the construction or durability of the tyres. These models have just been tested against the E-50 standard. Check out our Fresh Produce article to see what other tyres in the brands’ lineup get the special E-50 hot patch.
Our tyres of choice for the Levo were an Assegai 29×2.5 DH casing up front, paired with a Minion DHR II 29×2.4 DH casing tyre out the back. The Assegai has the softer 3C MaxxGrip compound, while the DHR II is a 3C MaxxTerra. The stickier rubber up front compliments the aggressive tread pattern of the Assegai to provide confidence-inspiring grip, while the MaxxTerra compound of the DHR II is a middle-ground, it’s still soft but slightly more hard-wearing.
While installation requires a little more effort due to the stiffer sidewalls, the DH casing tyres are an excellent fit for the Levo, and being a full-fat e-MTB, the extra weight and rolling resistance aren’t noticeable. But the added puncture resistance and aggressive tread of the Assegai and DHR II combo complement the bike’s purpose.

Up front, the Assegai grips more or less everywhere and provides dependable traction on rocks and roots, loose dusty and hardpacked trail surfaces. They always managed to claw into the trail surface, even when things get a bit loosey-goosey. We’re especially big fans of the alternating transition knobs that eliminate the vague ‘grip cliff’ some other tyres have when leaning them over. Due to the height of the knobs, it has broad and deep channels that aid in clearing mud, while not a recognised mud tyre, it still performs better than most in wet and sloppy conditions.
The DHR II out back has been a staple on many DH and Enduro race bikes for years. It rolls well and has exceptional cornering and braking control. It features a more open tread pattern than the Assegai and, thanks to its often copied side knob pattern, provides some of the best cornering bite available.
The only drawbacks to this popular combo from Maxxis are usually the weight and added rolling resistance. However, when mounted to an e-Bike, it’s a moot issue. Instead, it allows you to get the full benefit of the tough DH casing and aggressive tread patterns without noticing the weight or rolling resistance. The extra weight of the e-MTB itself also helps counteract the overly damped and stiff ride feel these tyres can have on naturally asperated bikes.
These are not light tyres, as both have aggressive tread patterns and extra sidewall protection with the DH carcass. The Assegai weighs in at 1,458g in its 29×2.5in sizing, while the Minion DHR II is a little lighter at 1,354g in its 29×2.4in size.

High Roller 3 & DHR II | Santa Cruz Nomad
- Front tyre: Maxxis High Roller 3, 29×2.4in, DD Casing, MaxxGrip 3C (1270g confirmed)
- Rear tyre: Maxxis DHR II, 27.5×2.5in, DD Casing, MaxxGrip 3C (1193g confirmed)
We’ve thrown the High Roller 3/DHR II tyres onto Nick’s Santa Cruz Nomad, a 170mm Enduro bike that sees plenty of rugged trails down in Tasmania. With this bike frequenting Maydena Bike Park this summer, we were chasing the best traction available and opted for the MaxxGrip compound, both front and rear. As for casings, we chose the DoubleDown, being a little lighter than the heavy-duty Downhill version and for a more lively feeling on the trail.
The High Roller 3 was released in mid-2024 as the brand’s intermediate soft conditions tyre, and we’ve spent a considerable amount of time on them since launch. When the soil is loose, slick, slimy, or anything other than hardpacked, the High Roller 3 bites into the soil with ease.
Being slightly narrower at 2.4in, the High Roller 3 provides a more agile feeling that is a little easier to maneuver than a 2.5in Assegai, with the latter feeling slightly muted at times. The large reinforced side lugs of the High Roller 3 provide a locked-in sensation when cornering hard in loose conditions and are quick to change direction. The one area where the High Roller 3’s have a noticeable compromise is fast cornering in dry, hardpacked conditions. The lack of intermediate cornering transition knobs makes leaning them over a little vague, and while the traction is there, an Assegai provides more confidence in these scenarios.
As mentioned earlier, the DHR II is a staple rear tyre, and you’d be hard-pressed not to see one out on the trails, regardless of where you’re riding. Being a rear-specific tyre, the lug design focuses on cornering stability, braking control and reduced rolling resistance.
The DHR II here on the Nomad is a little wider compared to that on the Levo, being the 2.5in variant of the tyre. The extra volume gives the tyre a broader profile on the rim, however, we’d be hard-pressed to discern the changes in characteristics out on the trail. Being the softer MaxxGrip compound, there was a noticeable amount of resistance compared to the identical MaxxTerra variant; however, it provides more dependable traction in the slickest of conditions. The softer compound is also far less durable when used on the rear, with our test tyre showing some serious signs of wear after only 4 days in the bike park.
Being gravity-orientated tyres, the High Roller 3 or DHR II are never going to be featherweights, but they do weigh in considerably lighter than the DH casing tyres above. Our 29×2.5in DoubleDown High Roller 3 weighed in at a respectable 1,270g, and the 27.5×2.5in DHR II weighed in at 1,193g.

Forekaster | Santa Cruz Tallboy
- Front tyre: Maxxis Forekaster, 29×2.4in, EXO Casing, MaxxTerra 3C (925g confirmed)
- Rear tyre: Maxxis Forekaster, 29×2.4in, EXO Casing, MaxxTerra 3C (925g confirmed)
The Maxxis Forekaster was revised in 2022 with a taller and larger profile tread pattern and is designed as a dry-conditions tyre suited for trail bikes. We tested the Forekaster on a Satna Cruz Tallboy which sports 125mm of rear wheel travel and a 130mm fork, however, they would be well suited to smaller travel bikes that would benefit from a more aggressive tread pattern without sacrificing speed.
For the Tallboy, we opted for the EXO casing and MaxxTerra compound, which suits the intentions and capabilities of the bike well. Heavier or more aggressive riders may want to opt for the EXO+ casing for improved puncture protection.
Sprightly and responsive are the name of the game with the Forekasters, which deliver a ride that quickly accelerates and responds to rider inputs. The small but tall profile lugs are best suited to dry conditions and have impressive traction in both hardpack and loose-over-hardpack. Once installed, the 2.4in width of the Forekasters had a rather broad profile and, thanks to the larger outer shoulder lugs, had plenty of traction when aggressively leaning into corners.
The EXO casing had plenty of support provided they were sufficiently inflated and we weren’t intentionally squaring off corners, however, we would like to try the sturdier EXO+ casing in the same tyre. While the cornering traction and overall confidence of the Forekaster are excellent, they do suffer under braking due to the size of the central knobs. This was further exaggerated as the tyres wore, with the backside of the knobs on the rear tyre losing their edge rather quickly.

Our 29×2.4in test tyres weighed in at 925g per tyre, joining the sub-1,000g club alongside similar trail tyres such as the Bontrager Gunnison or Specialized Ground Control.
If you’re after an all-around trail tyre for dusty and loose trail conditions, the Maxxis Forekaster offers more speed and consistency over the Dissector, with better cornering grip than the Rekon. With a slightly taller tread pattern, the Forekaster’s do roll a little slower than the Rekon — more on this below.

Rekon & Rekon Race | Santa Cruz Tallboy
- Front tyre: Maxxis Rekon, 29×2.4in, EXO+ Casing, MaxxTerra 3C (942g confirmed)
- Rear tyre: Maxxis Rekon Race, 29×2.4in, EXO Casing, Dual Compound (799g confirmed)
The Maxxis Rekon has long been a favourite trail bike tyre for its cornering support and rolling speed in loose-dry conditions. Maxxis knew they were on to a winner, and in 2018, launched the Rekon Race, a lower tread height and faster rolling variant of the popular Rekon. These, too, were fitted to our Santa Cruz Tallboy to add some zip compared to the Forekasters. Up front, we had the Rekon with an EXO+ casing and the 3C MaxxTerra compound, paired with the Rekon Race in the rear in the brand’s lower-cost dual rubber compound.

As we’d expected, the Rekon/Rekon Race combination rolls exceptionally well even when compared directly against the Forekaster’s, which are no slouch when it comes to rolling speed. The Tallboy easily gained pace, and pumping over undulations in the terrain was rewarded with even more momentum.
The tyre profile of the Rekon is much more rounded too, which does make it a little unnerving when first tipping it into corners. Once accustomed to the profile, the Rekon offers excellent traction in a wide variety of conditions and excels in loose granitic soil like what you get in Derby, Tasmania.
The Rekon Race is an ideal rear tyre and introduces a racing whippet attitude to any bike. When taking corners in a smooth, controlled manner, the Rekon Race is predictable; however, it was quite easy to find the limit of traction, making for an engaging and lively ride. Even when inflated to 27psi, it was relatively easy to make the tyre squirm in sharp, heavy corners, adding to the liveliness of the ride. Good line choice and smooth cornering are critical, and in doing so, we were rewarded with rocket-like speed from the Rekon/Rekon Race combination.
The Rekon and Rekon Race, weighed 942g and 799g, respectively. The former is a skerrick heavier than the Forekaster, thanks to the additional protection the EXO+ casing provides. The Rekon Race’s 799g weight does make it a bit portly for an XC tyre, especially compared to the featherweight Pirelli Scorpion XC RC, which weighs a claimed 660g.

Aspen Team Spec | Norco Revolver FS
- Front tyre: Maxxis Aspen Team Spec, 29×2.25in, EXO Casing, Dual Compound (651g confirmed)
- Rear tyre: Maxxis Aspen Team Spec, 29×2.25in, EXO Casing, Dual Compound (651g confirmed)
The Aspen has been at the top of Maxxis XC race range for many years, making its way to the front line of countless start grids — and the top step of more than a handful of podiums, thanks to the likes of Nino Schurter and others. A few years ago, pictures started to emerge of sponsored riders running Aspens wearing a new “Team Spec” hot patch, and the rumour mill started spinning.
Only recently made available to the public, the team spec Aspen sports a superlight casing and its signature low-profile tread wrapped over a 170tpi carcass makes for a tyre that Maxxis explicitly says isn’t “suitable for the average weekend ride.” With a confirmed weight of 651g per tyre, the Aspen Team Specs is a bloody lightweight set of bikeshoes.
Riding them, we found that the minimal tread and the Team Spec casing made for a snappy, supple tyre with minimal rolling resistance. Though super fast on hard-packed and dry rocky terrain, they could be a bit skatey in soft sandy patches, and though we didn’t get to test them in the wet, they wouldn’t be our first pick for a wet technical course. We’d have liked to try the 2.4in carcass, too — the extra bag would have been appreciated for a touch more grip and stability.

Minion DHF & Dissector | ARC8 Extra ST
- Front tyre: Maxxis Minion DHF, 29×2.5in, EXO+ Casing, MaxxTerra 3C (1170g confirmed)
- Rear tyre: Maxxis Dissector, 29×2.4in, EXO+ Casing, MaxxTerra 3C (1013g confirmed)
The Minion DHF is rapidly approaching 25 years old and is one of the most iconic tyres around. Its distinctive 2-by-2 pattern of large, widely-spaced, ramped and siped tread blocks supported by aggressive side knobs has become a standard, even in other brands’ ranges — tyres like the Vittoria Mazza and Continental Argotal bear more than a passing resemblance.
This is not for no reason, the DHF a firm favourite among riders of all stripes and a tyre for all seasons. The linear arrangement and generous ramping of those distinctive tread blocks mean that even in the 2.5in WT (Wide Trail—optimised for rims with a 30-35mm internal width) guise, it’s pretty fast rolling—especially in the slightly firmer MaxxTerra compound we have here.
Meanwhile, the height and spacing of the tread mean that as the ground softens up, there’s still plenty of bite—it’s not a mud tyre, but it performs well in the damp, and it’s fairly resistant to clogging. In some cases, the trade-off for the openness of the tread is that there’s a transition zone between centre and side knobs that can feel a bit sudden or unsettled, particularly on the loose-over-hardpack settings that can be prevalent in an Aussie summer.
On the back, the heavily ramped, low-profile centre knobs mean that the Dissector rolls noticeably smoother and faster than other tyres, a trait that is particularly distinct on rolling traverses or lower-gradient trails where other treads can sap momentum. Under braking, the Dissector is predictable and still grips well, likely thanks to an alternating pair of tread blocks similar (albeit less aggressive) to those found on the Minion DHR II. Meanwhile, tall, square side knobs mean ample grip to lean on when cornering and across off-camber sections.
Overall, the DHF is one of those set-and-forget tyres. Run it up front with a DHR II, Aggressor, or Dissector (as tested here) out back depending on your preference or terrain, and odds are it won’t be the thing holding you back. Our Minion DHR and Dissector tyres weighed 1,170g and 1,013g, respectively. While neither are featherweights, the reduced rolling mass adds to a more responsive feeling on the trail. The Dissector does feel out of its depth on wet slippery days, though, where the shallow depth of the tread and the tighter spacing of the centre knobs can combine to mean that it both lacks bite and quickly clogs with mud. But if you’re in a dry part of the country, mostly riding sandy, well-draining soils, it’s an extremely versatile contender.
Speaking of versatility, we didn’t try it ourselves, but we’ve also seen the Dissector run as a front tyre on downcountry/trail bikes paired with a fast rear tyre like a Rekon or Ardent Race, where the combination of low rolling resistance and sturdy side knobs in less challenging terrain makes a lot of sense.

Assegai & DHRII | ARC8 Extra ST
- Front tyre: Maxxis Assegai, 29×2.5in, EXO+ Casing, MaxxTerra 3C (1156g confirmed)
- Rear tyre: Maxxis DHRII, 29×2.4in, DoubleDown, MaxxGrip 3C (1220g confirmed)
In addition to the heavy-duty DH casing Assegai and DHR II combination tested on the Levo, we added the same tread pattern combination in a slightly lighter casing onto the ARC8 to see how they stack up.
Up front we ran the Assegai in the lighter-weight EXO+ casing, which is more flexible in comparison to the big-dog DH carcass. This was also the MaxxTerra flavour of rubber, which is the firmer of the 3C triple-compounds in which Maxxis offers the Assegai. Traction was a noticeable step up compared to the Minion DHF, however they still feel a touch skittish, with a tendency to understeer in some conditions. Being a lighter-weight casing and firmer rubber compound, the gains were noticeably reduced rolling resistance over the DH MaxxGrip spec.
However for any bigger hitting enduro bike the extra security offered by the gooey rubber was definitely missed, and this Assegai combo may be a better fit for someone on a trail bike searching for a bit of extra front end certainty.
Compared to the Dissector we had run previously on the ARC8, the DHR II is noticeably draggier; even with the distinct ramping of the centre tread, there’s a lot more rubber to contend with here. The pay off though, is bucketloads of traction in pretty much all but the most inclement trail conditions. The DHR II on the rear came in the MaxxGrip compound, which is going to amplify both rolling resistance and grip, but we have also spent time aboard the MaxxTerra variant that gave a similar impression.
The DHR II came with Maxxis’s Double Down (“DD”) casing, the two-ply construction that offers additional puncture protection over the less robust EXO or EXO+, but it’s a little lighter than the DH Casing we tested on the Levo. On the trail, it was far more dynamic and responsive, without the excessive sidewall stiffness or mute, wooden feel that comes with the DH casing.

High Roller 3 & DHR II | ARC8 Extra ST
- Front tyre: Maxxis High Roller 3, 29×2.4in, EXO+ Casing, MaxxGrip 3C (1146g confirmed)
- Rear tyre: Maxxis DHRII, 29×2.4in, DoubleDown, MaxxGrip 3C (1220g confirmed)
To broaden our testing that little bit further, we swapped out the Assegai tested on the ARC8 for an EXO+ MaxxGrip High Roller 3, being slightly lighter (1,24g to be precise) and thinner casing compared to what was tested on the Nomad.
This combination was put to the test in Melbourne’s hot dry summer as opposed to Tasmania’s more temperate climate where the Nomad resides. While the High Roller 3 is designed to shine in deep, soft loam, and damp leaf matter, we tested it out in far looser dry conditions to see how versatile it really is.
The tyre suffered on hardpack surfaces, where its prominent knobs couldn’t dig into the trail surface and left things feeling a bit squirmy, but where the dust got deeper, or sandy holes had developed in corners, we got glimpses of a tyre that could hold a firm line where others might float — perhaps also aided by the slightly narrower 2.4in width compared to the baggier 2.5in WT DHF and Assegai we were comparing to.
The High Roller 3 feels like it’s carved out a more distinct niche for itself already than the previous generations managed, and we’d wager a lot of folks will be reaching for it when winter comes around.

So there we have it, folks, the mammoth Maxxis tyre range has been demystified, ridden and reviewed! While the brand’s naming conventions for its tech are somewhat user-friendly, there is a myriad of options available, and we hope this article has helped shed light on what it all means. With a solid understanding of the right treads, compounds, casings, and sizes, it becomes an exciting challenge to find the perfect combination for your bike, terrain, and riding style.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER - Nick Martin
Bright, Vic
188cm
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