Highroller II, Magic Mary, Vigilante, Verdict Wet, Shorty, etc. Tires with a lot of void/negative space work really well in the wet. Ones with knobs closer together comparatively do not. Tires with minimal to no transition knobs like the DHF can get a bit sketchy in the wet, but serviceable. Compound is just one thing in the equation that makes a good wet tire. I choose my tread pattern first, compound second. I usually get the softest tire compound for the casing I want. Sometimes, that tire compound isn't available in your desired casing. So you get the less sticky one, or go to another brand.

FYI, MaxxTerra is a soft compound. Just not the softest available. There's a reason why MaxxGrip is only generally found in DH casings and it's because they are DH race tires. Not really designed to last even half a season through regular riding. Most park rats(non-racers who frequent bike parks) generally choose a harder compound tire so that they're not spending $150+ on tires after every park weekend.

 

FYI, MaxxTerra is a soft compound. Just not the softest available. There's a reason why MaxxGrip is only generally found in DH casings and it's because they are DH race tires. Not really designed to last even half a season through regular riding. Most park rats(non-racers who frequent bike parks) generally choose a harder compound tire so that they're not spending $150+ on tires after every park weekend.

I'm not sure about that, maybe at other parks that have less rocks and roots and drier weather, I only run maxx grip tires on my DH bike as do all my riding pals and majority of people in the bike park (whistler), I find anything less isn't good enough, and all the DH tires pretty much come in maxx grip or dual compound nothing in between. This season has been my lowest number of dh days at around 65 with a couple weeks to go.

Luckily my trail bike is 27.5 so I can get exo casing maxx grip minions!

Edit- ^Nikola with the rare find!

 

The riding around here are a lot of wet rock slabs. I am not as worried about clearing mud. More about grip. I ride Maxterra and there is a huge difference between that and MaxGrip. Right now I am using MaxGrip with DH casings but would prefer something not so heavy. MaxGrip is found in tons of Maxxis trail tires, but all 27.5, none 29.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by a WTB Breakout (high grip tough, though 27.5x2.5'' version) on wet roots and rock slabs.

 

Eeeehh you’re kinda SOL on that front. Most other manufacturers’ softer compounds are roughly equivalent to the MaxxTerras. Schwalbe has the purple ultra soft compound but only for DH casings in 27.5.

Theoretically, if you’re riding rock slabs all the time, the more knobs in contact with the rock, the more grip you’re going to have. Have you thought about a tread pattern that puts more rubber on the ground instead?

 

That might be how I have to go, or just use the DH tires. Thx

 

Much diff in weight between the new foldable DH & DD maxxis tires? I think the Assegai was around 30-50 grams. Have one on the front & its too much unless you are in steep, loose & off-camber.

 

What kind of width are you looking for? Maybe the Bontrager XR4? It comes in 29x2.4.

 

I have a strong preference for the SE4 version but that has been a surprisingly good at all sorts of riding tire. Outstanding at one place where I ride known for greased sharp rock. I like popular Maxxis tires too so can attest to the "4" being good is good in the transitions.

Wet vs mud comes to mind. The "4" Bontragers don't pack up as fast as the Maxxis models I like but for wet rocks and wet blue groove stuff their "3" tires and a WTB Riddler are good too and feel faster overall. I have Riddler rear and Trail Boss front on a hard tail I ride all over and they're sure capable and good in the wet for how fast they are but you need know that Riddler center is not a mud tire.

 

I find the challenge to be balancing good soft soil grip with good performance on roots and wet rocks. Tires like the Shorty and Mary are great at digging in but the long corner lugs can lose grip over roots.

The Assegai has proven a really good tire in the wet for me. Quite aggressive and will bite in soft soil, but knobs are flat and close enough that it’s not squirmy on wet roots and rocks.

I’ve also been really liking the Michelin Wild Enduro combo. Try a set of those in a Magi-X compound front/Gum-X rear. Michelin knows rubber compounds, and I’ve found these to grip great in all conditions despite their aggressive shoulder lugs.

I would also suggest considering a lighter tire (EXO/EXO+) with a CushCore XC or other insert, run at lower PSI. Better grip, feel and faster rolling in nearly all conditions compared to a DD/DH casing, and at similar weight.

 

The Assegai looks great but not available it MaxxGrip 29. Hope Maxxis figures out soon that many are riding 29ers these days.

 

I'm on a DD maxxgripp Assegai best tire I have used on wet rocks and roots. It will pack up with sticky mud though.

 

https://r2-bike.com/MAXXIS-Tire-Minion-DHR-II-29-x-240-WT-3C-MaxxGrip-TR-EXO
https://r2-bike.com/MAXXIS-Tire-Minion-DHF-29-x-250-WT-3C-MaxxGrip-TR-EXO
...And i was read lot about Michelin Wild Enduro and there is only good words about it.(Magi-X at front must have)

 

Are those 29? I don't see that on the Maxxis site

 

Yes, competitive cycle and worldwide cycle have them

 

Avoid magic mary "soft" compound, that's not soft by any means and on wet hard surfaces it's the worst tyre i have ever used.
Dhf maxxterra is fine, vigilante high grip is good

 

Dont know where you riding, but here in the Alps, when its wet and muddy i prefer the Magic Mary SG Soft (front n' back) over the DHF\DHR2 MaxxTerra Exo+ i had before - give me much more grip in these conditions.

So far based on my experience :
- Mixed conditions - Magic mary SG Soft front\back or MM SG soft\HD SG Soft
- Dry n' loose over hard pack \ bike parks - DHF\DHR2 DD

OP - Schwalbe released not to long ago 29"\2.35 Magic Mary SG UltraSoft.

 

+1 for the Assegai, certainly much better than the Minions in the wet and I actually prefer it to Shorty or Mary. Mainly because larger, flatter lugs work much better on wet roots and rocks, while still digging into soil.

Michelin Wild Enduro Rear is my new fave rear tire for aggressive wet riding. Rolls acceptably (close to an Aggressor) but digs in great for both cornering and straight-line braking. Way better than a Dampf or Minion IMHO. Good casing too, ~1100g in 29er and feel like an “EXO++”, a bit more supportive than EXO but lighter and suppler than DD. Really liking this one.

 

Thx for the heads up! I see that the DD and full DH tires are almost the same weight! With that the case, why bother with DD?

 

The DD feels lighter than advertised based on my scientific holding both in my hands. The DH Maxxgripp I personally believe is even stickier than DD. I didn't like the DH casing as a trail tire first time I've ever felt real drag on the front when peddling. The DD maxxgripp is my favorite tire.

 

Riding in Whistler. Thx for the advice!

 

Personally I strongly endorse use of a CushCore insert with a lighter tire for aggressive trail riding. My experience is that an EXO+-level casing plus CushCore-XC insert weighs about the same as a DD/DH, but rolls better, feels better and resists flats better even at a few PSI lower pressure.

 

I'm running a 2.5 DD Assegai Maxxgrip in the front and 2.4 DHRII DD Maxxgrip in the rear. Talk about GRIP! You will get a workout, but I don't race and ride with just my dog so speed isn't a concern. Sometimes they roll awesome and sometimes they feel like velcro. I have attached a few photos of when I have been riding on this fall. Wet leaf covered rocky, rooty, steep tech, jumps. I have yet to be able to upset these tires. I was a bit hesitant at first to go full send and hit jumps into nothing but leaves but as I warmed up to this combo wow. I feel as if I can ride at the same speed as when it is dry. I was beginning to lose confidence in the DHF EXO I had up front so I put this Assegai on a couple weeks ago. I didn't like the uneasy feeling I got from it with the lack of transition knobs. I do wish Maxxis made a Maxxgrip EXO or EXO+ though for the front. These tires feel stable and the DD casing really smooths out the trail. The extra weight makes them difficult to upset and they hold their ground. If you don't care about being first up the hill and want confidence no matter the conditions, I would give this combo a try. I found them simple to mount as well. Didn't even use tire levers. Not sure why other reviewers around the web had trouble.

 

Not much love around here for Magic Mary (or Schwalbe in general), but you should give it a try, its a great tire with plenty of grip in wet and mixed conditions.

That been said, i liked the DHR2 while i had it before destroyed the sidewall, but didnt like\jell with the DHF up front... Im wondering how the Assegai DD MaxxGrip will hold against the Magic Mary SG (Ultra Soft or Soft) in these conditions.

 

Not much love around here for Magic Mary (or Schwalbe in general), but you should give it a try, its a great tire with plenty of grip in wet and mixed conditions.

That been said, i liked the DHR2 while i had it before destroyed the sidewall, but didnt like\jell with the DHF up front... Im wondering how the Assegai DD MaxxGrip will hold against the Magic Mary SG (Ultra Soft or Soft) in these conditions.

Assegai in DD Maxxgripp is great. very comparable to MM. I haven't tried the newer Adex but they last longer by at least a few hundred miles than the MM tires I've used.

 

i am also looking for some winter tires to run on my sb100 . Had a very successfull summer running a dhf aggressor combo in 2.3 on 30mm int rims . This set up does not seem great on the soft stuff and wet roots so looking for a better alternative . Was thinking a magic mary front hans dampf rear as I read this was good for uk winter

 

Tellin' ya...Run an Assegai and DHRII DD Maxxgrip the traction is unreal. So confidence inspiring. It takes a while to get used to how much grip they provide.

 

I want to add too much weight if I can help it ,

 

You can run MaxxTerra EXO to save 200+ grams on each wheel. Or just run MaxxGrip in the front. They'll make you a faster rider for the warmer months