Maxxis Minion DHF
The Maxxis Minion DHF is a versatile and high-performing mountain bike tire, earning it the Editor’s Choice Award. Its exceptional cornering grip, pedal and braking traction, and durability make it a top choice for riders across different terrains. While personal preferences and specific conditions may influence the choice between the Minion DHF and DHR II, the DHF’s consistent and reliable performance on the front makes it a standout option for aggressive trail riding. Riders seeking confidence-inspiring handling and a tire that excels in various conditions should consider the Maxxis Minion DHF for an elevated riding experience.
Maxxis Minion DHF Review

Johan van Seijen
July 11, 2022
Cornering:
The Maxxis Minion DHF shines in cornering, offering a consistent and familiar feel on the trail. The tread pattern, with squared and siped cornering knobs, provides firm reinforcement on the edge, allowing for smooth transitions into corners. The tire’s performance in cornering is intuitive and reliable, making it an excellent choice for front tire use.
Pedal Traction:
The pedal traction of the Maxxis Minion DHF is commendable, especially in steep and challenging conditions. The Maxx Terra compound strikes a balance between grip, wear, and rolling speed. The siped center tread effectively adapts to rocks, roots, and various trail mediums, providing increased traction. The tire’s support allows for lower tire pressure, enhancing the contact area with the ground and boosting overall traction.
Braking Traction:
Braking traction is a standout feature of the Minion DHF, excelling in situations that demand quick and effective stopping power. The deep and wide sipes on the center tread, along with flared leading edges, contribute to the tire’s ability to grip and control the terrain during braking. The tire is designed for loose and muddy conditions, but it performs impressively on various surfaces, including loose over hard surfaces.
Rolling Resistance:
Despite its aggressive appearance, the Maxxis Minion DHF manages to keep rolling resistance in check. The ramped knobs contribute to maintaining momentum, and the 3C Maxx Terra compound offers a good balance of soft and firm rubber for different sections of the tire. While it may not be the fastest-rolling tire, it strikes a middle ground among the tested tires in terms of rolling resistance.
Ease of Installation:
The tire’s thick-feeling sidewalls make installation manageable. The tire holds its shape, making it easy to mount on the rim without excessive flopping or folding. The grippy rubber facilitates the installation process, and seating the bead is straightforward with the use of a Booster pump.
Price:
The Maxxis Minion DHF comes in various versions, and choosing the right one may be confusing due to the plethora of options. While not the cheapest option, the tire’s price is justified by its outstanding on-trail performance, durability, and versatility. Additionally, it’s often possible to find the tire on sale.
Maxxis Minion DHF Specifications
Diameter | Size | ETRTO | Weight (gr) | Tread color | Sidewall color | Compound/Casing | Puncture protection | Tire bead | TPI | Max Psi |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
26 | 26×2.30 | 58-559 | 840 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 60 | 60 | |
26 | 26×2.35 | 52-559 | 1120 | Black | Black | Super Tacky | tlr | 60 | ||
26 | 26×2.35 | 52-559 | 1080 | Black | Black | Single | tlr | 60 | ||
26 | 26×2.35 | 52-559 | 700 | Black | Black | Single | foldable | 60 | 65 | |
26 | 26×2.35 | 52-559 | 825 | Black | Black | Super Tacky | wired | 60 | 65 | |
26 | 26×2.50 | 55-559 | 1205 | Black | Black | Super Tacky | tlr | 60 | ||
26 | 26×2.50 | 55-559 | 1265 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxGrip | tlr | 60 | ||
26 | 26×2.50WT | 55-559 | 1200 | Black | Black | Super Tacky | wired | 60 | 65 | |
26 | 26×2.50WT | 55-559 | 1265 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxGrip | wired | 60 | 65 | |
26 | 26×2.50WT | 55-559 | 1180 | Black | Black | Single | wired | 60 | 65 | |
26 | 26×2.50WT | 55-559 | 860 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | foldable | 60 | 65 | |
26 | 26×2.50WT | 55-559 | 940 | Black | Black | Single | EXO | foldable | 60 | 65 |
26 | 26×2.50WT | 63-559 | 905 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 60 | 50 | |
26 | 26×2.50WT | 63-559 | 905 | Black | Black | Dual | EXO | tlr | 60 | 50 |
27.5 | 27.5×2.30 | 58-584 | 870 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 60 | 60 | |
27.5 | 27.5×2.30 | 58-584 | 870 | Black | Black | Dual | EXO | tlr | 60 | 60 |
27.5 | 27.5×2.30 | 58-584 | 880 | Black | Light Tan | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 60 | 60 | |
27.5 | 27.5×2.30 | 58-584 | 903 | Black | Tan | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 60 | 60 | |
27.5 | 27.5×2.30 | 58-584 | 1075 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 120 | 60 | |
27.5 | 27.5×2.50 | 63-584 | 1005 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | EXO+ | tlr | 60 | 50 |
27.5 | 27.5×2.50 | 63-584 | 1255 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxGrip | tlr | 60 | 50 | |
27.5 | 27.5×2.50 | 63-584 | 945 | Black | Black | Dual | EXO | tlr | 60 | 50 |
27.5 | 27.5×2.50 | 63-584 | 945 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 60 | 50 | |
27.5 | 27.5×2.50 | 63-584 | 980 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxGrip | tlr | 60 | 50 | |
27.5 | 27.5×2.50 | 63-584 | 1160 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxGrip | tlr | 120 | 50 | |
27.5 | 27.5×2.50 | 63-584 | 956 | Black | Tan | Dual | EXO | tlr | 60 | 50 |
27.5 | 27.5×2.60 | 66-584 | 1010 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | EXO+ | tlr | 60 | 40 |
27.5 | 27.5×2.60 | 66-584 | 965 | Black | Black | Dual | EXO | tlr | 60 | 40 |
27.5 | 27.5×2.60 | 66-584 | 925 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 120 | 40 | |
27.5 | 27.5×2.80 | 71-584 | 1196 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | EXO+ | tlr | 120 | 40 |
27.5 | 27.5×2.80 | 71-584 | 1110 | Black | Black | Dual | EXO | tlr | 120 | 40 |
27.5 | 27.5×2.80 | 71-584 | 1081 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 120 | 40 | |
29 | 29×2.30 | 58-622 | 925 | Black | Black | Dual | tlr | 60 | 60 | |
29 | 29×2.30 | 58-622 | 925 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | EXO | tlr | 60 | 60 |
29 | 29×2.30 | 58-622 | 1145 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 120 | 60 | |
29 | 29×2.50WT | 63-622 | 1160 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | EXO+ | tlr | 60 | 50 |
29 | 29×2.50WT | 63-622 | 1092 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxGrip | EXO | tlr | 60 | 50 |
29 | 29×2.50WT | 63-622 | 1099 | Black | Black | Dual | tlr | 60 | 50 | |
29 | 29×2.50WT | 63-622 | 1099 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | EXO | tlr | 60 | 50 |
29 | 29×2.50WT | 63-622 | 1423 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxGrip | tlr | 60 | 50 | |
29 | 29×2.50WT | 63-622 | 1325 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxGrip | tlr | 120 | 50 | |
29 | 29×2.50WT | 63-622 | 1326 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | tlr | 120 | 50 | |
29 | 29×2.50WT | 64-622 | 1056 | Black | Tan | Dual | EXO | tlr | 60 | 50 |
29 | 29×2.60 | 66-622 | 1035 | Black | Black | Dual | EXO | tlr | 60 | 40 |
29 | 29×2.60 | 66-622 | 1080 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | EXO+ | tlr | 60 | 40 |
29 | 29×2.60 | 66-622 | 978 | Black | Tan | Dual | EXO | tlr | 60 | 40 |
29 | 29×2.60 | 66-622 | 995 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | EXO | tlr | 120 | 40 |
29 | 29×3.00 | 76-622 | 1110 | Black | Black | 3C MaxxTerra | EXO | tlr | 120 | 30 |