"Wow," was my first thought when I got my hands on the tires for the first time. All the plus-size tires I've used so far have had a rather low profile. But the two Maxxis models have impressively high lugs. This brings advantages but also disadvantages, as the test showed.

High demands

In the past 18 months, I have tested numerous plus-size tires. Most of them struggled to hold their own in alpine terrain. Sharp-edged stones, steep slopes and lots of loose scree not only require a stable tire, but also place high demands on the rubber compound and tread. And then the tires must not be too heavy, so that you can also manage 1500 meters of altitude under your own steam.

Maxxis had done a good job in these areas so far, so there was a lot of excitement to see what their first chunky plus tires could do. On the front wheel, I opted for a "Minion DHF 27.5x2.8" with triple compound rubber, while on the rear wheel I chose a "High Roller II 27.5x2.8" with the same compound.

The tire width is similar to that of the competition and therefore fits all bike frames that are approved for 2.8 inches. Tubeless fitting is straightforward and the tire pressure is set to 1.0 bar. This was maintained throughout the entire test (riding weight 70 kilograms).

The advantages and disadvantages

The Maxxis tires offer all the advantages you would expect from a plus-size tire and a little more. The tried-and-tested 3C rubber compound from Maxxis also offers plenty of grip on wet roots and rocks. The damping of the tire is also very good: even after jumps, there is no rebound effect as is sometimes the case with other plus tires. This is certainly also due to the fact that they can be ridden with less pressure than other models. This is because the entire carcass of the Minion and High Roller is very robust.

Especially on loose ground or steep, rugged slopes, the high profile of the tires has had a positive effect. They really bite into the ground and also offer good deceleration when braking. Thanks to the massive side lugs, you can corner with a good lean angle, which was previously hardly conceivable with finer-profiled tires. However, if a ride on asphalt cannot be avoided, you are not only confronted with strong vibrations, but also with the high rolling resistance.

Conclusion

If you really want to let it rip, the Maxxis Plus tires are a good choice. Almost no matter how wild the surface is, you simply thunder over it, almost as if you had a downhill bike under your butt. For Plus riders, the Minion DHF 2.8 and High Roller II 2.8 are the ideal tires for shuttle or mountain bike supported tours. The tires don't need to shy away from a trip to the bike park either. However, if you like long day tours with a lot of elevation gain, it is better to choose a tire that rolls a little more efficiently - at least at the rear.

www.maxxis.com/tires/bicycle