Started running the Minion DHF 29 x 2.5 EXO TR tire on my Intense Carbine with the 2.4 Ardent in the rear and have been loving them. Problem is...my first Minion was defective-torn casing. I mounted it and it was very clearly defective. Went through the warranty process on the website and after three months they replaced it. I specifically chose to run such burly tires because the last two California Enduro Races were going to take place at Northstar and at Mammoth and both have very rocky and very aggressive terrain, terrain that I felt these tires were suited for perfectly, so even though I was carrying a little extra weight around for my local trails, I wanted to be familiar with these tires for my last two races of the season.
I really focused on getting the tire pressures dialed in before the race by running them on my local DH trails in Auburn-very rocky and aggressive terrain as well. After about ten rides I had settled on the front at 25psi and the rear at 30-35psi. Tire pressure worked out great in Northstar and took me to the top step in my class and I never had a single issue with my tires, they kept me safe and fast. Next up was Mammoth and well, long story a little shorter, I got to Mammoth, had four or five runs of practice in the first day and was really looking forward to crushing it. I was feeling prepared, fit, focused and ready to race. The next day, my team showed up and I went out to run practice with them to show them the lines I had researched and tested and as I was taking them down Bullet and showing them the line through the trees at the first rock garden that has a 3 1/2 to 4 foot drop to the right and BOOM! my front tire exploded off the rim and i was ejected over the bars onto my should/neck/head.....brand new Carbon D3 broken, C1 and C2 stressed and a broken collarbone. My practice, my race and my season were over. Not to mention I crashed in front of my team and jacked with their confidence and focus on their first run of the weekend. It was a bummer.
My issue now is...why did the tire blow? What could I possibly have done to prevent this issue from happening? Has anyone had this experience with Maxxis? or any other tires? It's in my head now and I'm pretty bummed. Maxxis said they will replace my tire because it "stretched". It stretched enough to be loose on the rim and come off under stress. How can that be a safe tire? Is there anything to do to prevent this from happening? I really liked this tire and I don't know what to do moving forward. Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the time,
H
I really focused on getting the tire pressures dialed in before the race by running them on my local DH trails in Auburn-very rocky and aggressive terrain as well. After about ten rides I had settled on the front at 25psi and the rear at 30-35psi. Tire pressure worked out great in Northstar and took me to the top step in my class and I never had a single issue with my tires, they kept me safe and fast. Next up was Mammoth and well, long story a little shorter, I got to Mammoth, had four or five runs of practice in the first day and was really looking forward to crushing it. I was feeling prepared, fit, focused and ready to race. The next day, my team showed up and I went out to run practice with them to show them the lines I had researched and tested and as I was taking them down Bullet and showing them the line through the trees at the first rock garden that has a 3 1/2 to 4 foot drop to the right and BOOM! my front tire exploded off the rim and i was ejected over the bars onto my should/neck/head.....brand new Carbon D3 broken, C1 and C2 stressed and a broken collarbone. My practice, my race and my season were over. Not to mention I crashed in front of my team and jacked with their confidence and focus on their first run of the weekend. It was a bummer.
My issue now is...why did the tire blow? What could I possibly have done to prevent this issue from happening? Has anyone had this experience with Maxxis? or any other tires? It's in my head now and I'm pretty bummed. Maxxis said they will replace my tire because it "stretched". It stretched enough to be loose on the rim and come off under stress. How can that be a safe tire? Is there anything to do to prevent this from happening? I really liked this tire and I don't know what to do moving forward. Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the time,
H
