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Super Light Minions?

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
http://www.nsmb.com/4219-gear-shots-69-dude

I'm really curious. I the first to claim BS on light dh tires but I'm interested if it's even possible. Tech monkeys?


Maxxis Minion DHF 3C EXO
Words and photos ~ Cam McRae

Could this be the tire I've been looking for? Actually it might even be the two tires I've been looking for - one for my DH bike in less demanding conditions and one for my AM bike in the snottiness of winter.

The Minion DHF might be the most popular DH tire there is. Riders from pro to plumber use them front and rear to win medals, championships and coupons for lunch at Subway. Maxxis has cottoned on to this and when they made the the EXO version (more on this below) they only made the DHF version - no rears.


I happen to be in that minority that appreciates the DH Rear - particularly riding here on the Shore. In Whistler I'm fine with DHF front and rear but I appreciate the consistent bite, both cornering and braking, the DHR provides in nasty situations. But I'm also greedy. I desire a fast rolling, lighter DH tire that can take a pounding without pinch flatting. And I long for a light, grippy 2.5" AM tire that will give a little more rim protection and a more forgiving ride than the 2.35 minions I ride most of the time. So that will make me go to the DHF front and rear.

It's the sidewall that makes the EXO version of the Minion different. Maxxis describes EXO like this: "An extremely cut-resistant and abrasion-resistant material added to the sidewalls of select mountain tires. This densely woven material is also lightweight and highly flexible, ensuring that the performance of the tire remains unaffected." From the outside you'll also notice a pattern on the sidewall of the tire to further identify the EXO action on the inside. The upshot is that this tire weighs (on my scale at least) just 880 grams compared to 1265 grams (claimed) for the standard wire bead dual ply Minion 2.5 DHF 3C.
 

Nick

My name is Nick
Sep 21, 2001
23,927
14,438
where the trails are
I used 2.5 EXO Minions last year and loved them. I did pinch once or twice but on occasions where I'm not even sure if a 2-ply sidewall would have saved me.

I do have DH casing tires but would run the EXO again, depending on where I was riding.
 
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Nick

My name is Nick
Sep 21, 2001
23,927
14,438
where the trails are
What do you consider 'lower pressures'?

I typically run 34-35# psi f/r with no problems. The one or two times I pinched I was probably a few pounds lower and took a sharp square edge hit. Flatting my tube, flat spotting my rim. (ouch) The weight savings is really noticeable over DH 2-plys.

Have you not had these available in Warsaw? I'm sure I got them at least a year ago already.
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
What do you consider 'lower pressures'?

I typically run 34-35# psi f/r with no problems. The one or two times I pinched I was probably a few pounds lower and took a sharp square edge hit. Flatting my tube, flat spotting my rim. (ouch) The weight savings is really noticeable over DH 2-plys.

Have you not had these available in Warsaw? I'm sure I got them at least a year ago already.
I ride depending on the track either around 20psi or just below 30. Never over it. I wonder about low pressure because for durabilit I'd be suprised they'd worse than ust maxxis and they should seal ust just fine.
 

daisycutter

Turbo Monkey
Apr 8, 2006
1,651
124
New York City
I have read on another site. These tires need to be run at higher pressures to keep from flat spotting the rim. I decided to pass on them though it is tempting.
 

ustemuf

Monkey
Apr 8, 2010
198
15
Bay Area
The '3C' compound of the Minion DHF Exo is not nearly as tacky as the '3C' compound of the downhill version. You can contact Maxxis to confirm this for yourself.

Sacrificing grip for weight?? Personally, no thanks.
 

Uncle Cliffy

Turbo Monkey
Jan 28, 2008
4,490
42
Southern Oregon
This seems like old news... I held them in my hands last year and thought they were great. Seems like it took them a long time to ge them out there, and the rep. wouldn't let up about how tough the casing is.

But he certainly made it clear they were for AM/freeride use and not full on DH.
 

dbozman

Monkey
May 11, 2008
118
0
Scottsdale, AZ
FWIW, I run DHF 3C Exo single plys front/rear on my DH bike and front on my AM bike. I weigh about 205 in gear and ride in AZ rocks. I run 'em tubeless, typically around 24 psi in the front and 30 in the rear.

I love these tires.
 

ncrider

Turbo Monkey
Aug 15, 2004
1,564
0
Los Angeles
Sacrificing grip for weight?? Personally, no thanks.
+1 and I like light parts. I usually run 20- 25psi with dual casing and don't worry about flats. With these it looks like tire pressure needs to be much higher. It also comes down to what/where you ride. Super rocky = dual ply. flow and groomed = light casing.
 

frango

Turbo Monkey
Jun 13, 2007
1,454
5
I feel kinda responsible for the fact Norbar posted this info ;) I found it on NSMB and talked about it with him... ;)

I hope local Mixxis dystro has got them and I think I'm gonna try them this season :)
 

weedkilla

Monkey
Jul 6, 2008
362
10
Having tried these, schwalbe muddy mary and wicked will I would call them as AM tyres that you would be hesitant to use on a dh bike (but possible for the right course). Schwalbe muddy mary in freeride casing is similar weight and MUCH grippier, wicked will in freeride casing is similar weight and way bigger casing but not a tyre I found predictable. Muddy mary still had a "anti pinch" type insert in the sidewall and rolled better than 2 ply ST Maxxis, nearly as well as EXO minion. If you are riding on anything other than pure hardpack and rock I would pick Muddy mary every time.
I haven't tried the new 2011 compounds - my comments refer to older Gooey gluey casing. Old Triple compound was ok for the rear, a bit less wear.
Personally hanging out to try vertstar and trailstar compounds but not available in Aus/online yet.
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
+1 and I like light parts. I usually run 20- 25psi with dual casing and don't worry about flats. With these it looks like tire pressure needs to be much higher. It also comes down to what/where you ride. Super rocky = dual ply. flow and groomed = light casing.
I agree. I was curious because the claims are pretty bold.
 
I used a set of these last season up at Northstar for the Livewire race... pretty smooth /groomed course with jumps... My strategy was to have a lighter bike I could sprint and pedal harder with, and figured these would be perfect... Was running them tubeless - with Stans, and I was running higher pressure because of the smooth course and the sidewalls are much thinner than regular minion wire beads... Normally I run 25-26psi using regular dh minions... with these EXO's, I ran 34 psi in front and 35 psi in rear... Not sure what happened, but about 1 minute into the race at the first high speed berm, the rear tire rolled right off the rim a bit, and instant bummer - result - last place and had to walk down the rest of the run :(

I run these tires on my trailbike and have never really had any pinch problems, maybe they are just too flexy for hard cornering on the dh bike... but I do love them on my trailbike...
 
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grooveninja

Chimp
Aug 30, 2010
14
0
I'm 160lbs and I used some Specialed SX Clutch 2.3's for my DH bike most of the year last year. Their 2.3 is slightly larger than a Maxxis 2.5 and their 2.5's are massive. The Clutch are quite grippy, but pedal quite slow and I prefer something faster on the rear. Wished they would make the Pin'it in a 2.3 as it looks like it would be a great rear tire. The Specialized Butcher SX looks quite similar to the DHF. Anyone tried them yet?

I ride the Minion/Ardent EXO's on my trail bike, but they are quite a bit lighter and less ridged in the sidewall than the SX IMO and I doubt many people could use them for DH in a wide range of conditions. Love them for my everyday trail tires though!

Definably want to see the High Roller/DHF hybrid
 

zdubyadubya

Turbo Monkey
Apr 13, 2008
1,273
96
Ellicott City, MD
Chunder is their rear tire... very fast and loads better than the pin'it.

I'm 160lbs and I used some Specialed SX Clutch 2.3's for my DH bike most of the year last year. Their 2.3 is slightly larger than a Maxxis 2.5 and their 2.5's are massive. The Clutch are quite grippy, but pedal quite slow and I prefer something faster on the rear. Wished they would make the Pin'it in a 2.3 as it looks like it would be a great rear tire. The Specialized Butcher SX looks quite similar to the DHF. Anyone tried them yet?

I ride the Minion/Ardent EXO's on my trail bike, but they are quite a bit lighter and less ridged in the sidewall than the SX IMO and I doubt many people could use them for DH in a wide range of conditions. Love them for my everyday trail tires though!

Definably want to see the High Roller/DHF hybrid
 

Deano

Monkey
Feb 14, 2011
233
0
in a few days ill be testing out SX chunders on the rear and the new minions EXOs in our part of the world, and in about a month in few select german bikeparks :)

as im not a super hard cornering or super fast rider, they might be ok for us slower paced bums who need every bit of help we can get to seem faster :D
 

Dogboy

Turbo Monkey
Apr 12, 2004
3,208
581
Durham, NC
ah cool!

Seen some in person yet?

any news on compounds and sidewall selections?
Saw them yesterday in Taipei. The DH version with 3C (and maybe ST?) is first and then freeride (single-ply, EXO, 3C) is next. They look really good and as some people mentioned in the Taipei thread, kind of like a Conti Kaiser. It is replacing the High Roller - I assume sales would dictate that though.
 

Acadian

Born Again Newbie
Sep 5, 2001
714
2
Blah Blah and Blah
Saw them yesterday in Taipei. The DH version with 3C (and maybe ST?) is first and then freeride (single-ply, EXO, 3C) is next. They look really good and as some people mentioned in the Taipei thread, kind of like a Conti Kaiser. It is replacing the High Roller - I assume sales would dictate that though.
Oh I didn't know you were at the show - cool!

That means I need to stock up..