From secret World Cup prototype to production tire, the new MAXXIS Minion DHX is built to be the ultimate gravity tire for dry conditions. But can this much-hyped newcomer live up to its race-winning reputation away from the tape? We put it through an extensive trail test to find out.

MAXXIS Minion DHX | DH-Casing | 2 x 120 TPI | 3C MaxxGrip | 1,549 g (29 x 2,5“) | € 79,90 | Manufacturer’s website

The tire first appeared on the World Cup circuit in June 2025, fitted to Jackson Goldstone’s Santa Cruz V10. At the time, it was an unnamed MAXXIS prototype, but its distinctive tread pattern quickly fuelled speculation throughout the pits. What followed could hardly have gone better for MAXXIS. Goldstone delivered a phenomenal season, winning the overall UCI Downhill World Cup title before adding the World Championship to his tally. As of today, the mystery is over: the successful prototype has become the new Minion DHX. It expands one of the most iconic tire families in gravity riding, giving the long-standing Minion DHF and DHR II their first serious sibling in years. But is the DHX more than a cleverly marketed World Cup race tire? Or does it have what it takes to impress on everyday trails too?

The new MAXXIS Minion DHX in detail

MAXXIS position the new Minion DHX as a no-compromise gravity tire for dry conditions, the roughest trails and maximum speed. One look at the tread tells you exactly what it’s built for. Huge centre knobs, heavily supported shoulder knobs and plenty of siping define the tread pattern. The large knobs are designed to deliver outstanding braking traction and cornering stability, while the sipes allow the tread blocks to flex more freely. This helps them conform better to roots, rocks and uneven terrain, generating extra mechanical grip.

The DHX also occupies an interesting position within the MAXXIS MTB tire range. Rather than being designed exclusively as a front or rear tire, it’s intended to perform equally well on both ends of the bike. MAXXIS are equally broad in their intended use. Whether you’re racing downhill, lapping bike parks or riding a heavy e-mountain bike, the DHX is designed to excel wherever dry conditions and maximum grip are the priority.

Large centre knobs, heavily supported shoulder knobs and extensive siping are designed to deliver maximum braking traction, precise cornering and extra grip on roots and rocks.

According to MAXXIS, the DHX matches the Minion DHR II for both rolling resistance and braking performance. In the corners, though, the new tire is said to offer even more in reserves, delivering a more precise and predictable feel at high lean angles. MAXXIS also claim that the transition from the centre knobs to the shoulder knobs is exceptionally smooth, making turn-in more consistent and predictable. That said, the DHX isn’t intended to be an all-round tire. Once conditions turn wet and muddy, MAXXIS believe the ASSEGAI remains the better choice thanks to its superior self-cleaning tread pattern.

Family portrait: High Roller 3, ASSEGAI, Minion DHX and Minion DHR II (left to right)

At launch, the DHX will only be available with the new DH casing. With its progressively reinforced sidewalls, it’s designed to cope with the tire’s high cornering and braking loads while allowing riders to run pressures up to 0.2 bar lower. The tire is also exclusively available with the soft 3C MaxxGrip compound, underlining its gravity-focused intentions.

MAXXIS are planning to expand the DHX range significantly later this year and during the first quarter of 2027. Upcoming versions will feature the updated MaxxTerra compound, along with the lighter DoubleDown and EXO+ casings. That should make a suitable DHX available for almost every type of riding and riding style.

The Minion DHX is available in both 27.5″ and 29″ sizes, with a single 2.5″ width that matches the ASSEGAI.

With a recommended retail price of € 79.90, the DHX sits alongside MAXXIS’ other premium gravity tires. However, availability in Germany will be limited at launch.

At launch, the new Minion DHX is only available with the 3C MaxxGrip compound and the newly updated DH casing. All other versions are expected to follow by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

The scales show just how uncompromising this new tire is. Our 27.5″ sample weighed 1,425 g, while the 29″ variant tipped the scales at a hefty 1,549 g. For comparison, an equivalent ASSEGAI with the new DH casing and 3C MaxxGrip compound weighs 1,510 g, the Minion DHR II comes in at 1,420 g, and the High Roller 3 weighs 1,459 g in the same configuration. That makes the DHX one of the heaviest gravity tires in the MAXXIS range, which is hardly surprising given its massive tread blocks and uncompromising focus on maximum grip.

* All tires fitted with the new DH casing and 3C MaxxGrip compound.

The new MAXXIS Minion DHX on the trail

We did most of our testing in Canada. For around three and a half weeks, the Minion DHX ran upfront on a Santa Cruz Nomad, paired with a Minion DHR II at the rear, on steep loam trails and rough bike park tracks in Whistler Mountain Bike Park. The DHX then clocked up more test kilometres at the Leogang press camp aboard the Cannondale Bad Habit, followed by another two months on our home trails in Germany’s Black Forest. Over the course of the test, we rode it both as a front and rear tire.

It probably goes without saying that climbing isn’t the DHX’s strong suit. The mix of DH casing, soft 3C MaxxGrip compound and aggressive tread rolls noticeably slower than the lighter trail and enduro tires in the MAXXIS range. But if you’re deliberately reaching for a no-compromise gravity tire, that’s a trade-off you’ll happily accept. On a downhill bike, rolling resistance barely matters anyway. On an enduro or e-MTB, though, we’d run the upcoming MaxxTerra version at the rear to cut both rolling resistance and wear.

Descending is where the Minion DHX really comes into its own. From the very first metres, its excellent vibration damping stands out. Combined with the new DH casing and the soft 3C MaxxGrip compound, it delivers an exceptionally calm, planted ride. The tire takes the sting out of impacts, clings to the trail and maintains impressive ground contact, giving you outstanding control even in the roughest terrain.

The new Minion DHX also impresses with exceptional braking traction. Even under heavy braking, it remains remarkably stable and inspires huge confidence. It shines in the corners too. Despite its massive tread blocks, they resist folding over, even on hardpack or in heavily loaded berms, providing consistent support at high lean angles.

In terms of handling, we’d place the DHX somewhere between the exceptionally forgiving ASSEGAI and the more direct High Roller 3. It offers huge grip reserves while remaining predictable at all times, communicating clearly as you approach the limit of available traction.

Overall, the Minion DHX, in its launch specification with the new DH casing and 3C MaxxGrip compound, is the very definition of a summer bike park tire. As long as conditions stay dry, as they did throughout our test, it combines outstanding vibration damping, phenomenal braking traction, precise handling and excellent support through fast corners into an exceptionally capable overall package.

Wear is exactly what you’d expect from the familiar 3C MaxxGrip compound. On the rear wheel, the soft rubber wears quickly, making it difficult to draw any meaningful conclusions about durability in that position. It will be far more interesting to see how the Minion DHX performs once the MaxxTerra version becomes available.

Up front, wear is slightly higher too, but remains well within the expected range and never stood out as a concern. In general, tire wear depends far more on the rubber compound than the tread pattern itself.

Conclusions about the new MAXXIS Minion DHX

With the Minion DHX, MAXXIS add another banger to their legendary gravity tire range. It impresses above all with exceptional braking traction, superb cornering stability and precise, confidence-inspiring handling. On dry trails, the DHX is right at home, making it an outstanding summer bike park tire. The catch is that the launch version, offered only in the DH casing and 3C MaxxGrip compound, rolls noticeably slower and, as expected, wears quickly on the rear wheel. Once the announced MaxxTerra, DoubleDown and EXO+ versions arrive, the DHX should appeal to a much wider range of riders. At that point, we can easily see it becoming a great choice not only for bike parks and downhill bikes, but also for enduro, trail and e-mountain bikes with a clear focus on descending.

You can find more information on the MAXXIS website.

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Words: Lars Engmann Photos: MAXXIS, Lars Engmann