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?
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.