Pinkbike takes a closer look at Maxxis' new prototype downhill tire. Is this the tire that replaces the much loved Highroller?
Could this be the tire that replaces the much loved Highroller?
Found in the Maxxis booth is this prototype downhill tire that resembles the Highroller, a perennial favorite for many riders, but with some major updates that Maxxis feels improves on the Highroller's cornering abilities. The pattern still makes use of ramped center knobs to improve rolling speed, although Maxxis is saying that the new rubber rolls faster than the Highroller. Both the cornering and crown lugs are siped for better traction as well. Expect it to be offered in only one size, labeled as a 2.4", although it is built on the same casing as the Highroller which should make it a very similar width.
The new tire will be available in both FR and DH versions.
Maxxis took advantage of their sponsorship of some of the top racers and called up Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar, and Bryn Atkinson to help test the new tread pattern. While the new tire was labeled as 'Descendant', Maxxis is yet to fully commit to a name.
Maxxis prototype tire details:• Tested and approved with the help of Peat, Minnaar, and Atkinson
• True 2.4" width
• Built on the same casing as the Highroller
• Name is still undecided
Visit
Maxxis.com to see their current lineup.
We'll have more information about the new tire shortly, but in the meantime lets hear what you think about the new tread pattern. Are you excited for what's to come, or do you plan on stocking up on Highrollers?
Am I the only person in the world that thinks the Ardent is the best tyre?
I can't stand minions, they are too unpredictable for me and I've never really tried highrollers.
On the Conti Der Kaisers now
Maybe you tell me your opionion, what makes the tire so "a dream".
Ride on
Maxxis is 'just' the world's biggest bike tire company and in the world! They're leaders in developing new designs and rubber solutions for tires...
Ardents are good when it comes to Hardpack and nothing else. Used a set on a hired bike in Morzine for a day and just kept washing out on anything remotely loose. High Rollers though have been proven, year on year, to be one of the top DH tyres. Just look at what the WC riders use!
The side lugs on the Ardent mean you need to turn aggressively to hook up, the motion my Ardents took was always;
Turn and grip, then slide, then hook up. I knew exactly when they would hook up and I have never been able to do that with any other tyre.
as at the moment they wear far to fast and last like 3 months. conti rubber lasts 12+months with more grip
Firstly, the design was copied from no other tire besides the High Roller. If the Canfield brothers also used the High Roller as a basis for their design, then it stands to reason that the tires would look similar. I still have not seen the Canfield tire, but I met to Chris Canfield yesterday and he described his tire to me. It didn't sound very similar...
Secondly, Wayne Parsons did assist in the design of this tire. It was a little strange, because I had already begun thinking about a High Roller redesign, and then out of the blue Wayne sent me a picture of the High Roller with some modifications that he thought would make the tire better. Two of those modifications were similar to the ideas in my head, so I thought it would be nice to include him in the design process. He and I worked well together, and it was an enjoyable experience.
Thirdly, we are not yet sure if this tire will replace the High Roller or if it will be an all new tire. I can say that this tire was fully tested (by Peat, Minnaar, R. Cunningham, Lars Sternberg, Bryn Atkinson, and others) and they all felt that the tire was equal to or an improvement over the original High Roller in every performance category. Cornering traction was the biggest area of improvement, with braking improved as well. The transition is gradual with no vagueness/washing, and the tire gives warning before breaking free (an improvement over the original High Roller). We'll release a DH single compound 60a, a DH triple compound 3C, and a folding Exo version first.
Any other questions- just shoot.
Bryan Holwell, Senior Tire Design & Development Engineer, Maxxis
High Rollers however, I love, in all flavours (2.5, 2.35 and even 2.1).
Minions have much more grip on everything, Highrollers are unpredictiable and I find they loost grip easier than Minions.
However will people buy them over the already legendary High Roller Super Tacky?? Only time will tell
As for the Banshee thing - are you for real? Banshee have been PUBLICLY developing the Legend for over 3 years now... there have been at least four iterations of CAD design published over the years, as well as at least 3 actual iterations of the frame. To claim they "copied" the Canfield is flat out ridiculous - especially when there are huge and obvious differences in the designs anyway. Like if there was ever a claim that has simply ZERO credibility, that was pretty much it.
I'd try these tho.
www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti%20kaiser.shtml
Not gonna happen in my opinion - why Maxxis felt the need to create a whole new tyre instead of just updating the existing benchmark is beyond me! All the same, it's going to be a fantastic tyre!
Wird
Tread pattern doesn't look too interesting, I'm wondering why its label'd a 2.4" though. If it comes up like a high roller which is a pretty honest 2.5".