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Choosing a tire is choosing how your bike behaves. The same 29er can feel quick and lively on a smooth XC loop or planted and confident on a steep bike park run, and most of that difference comes from tread pattern, rubber compound and casing. Maxxis 29 tires cover every style of riding, which is exactly why the choice can be confusing. The useful question is not which tire is best but where you ride most weekends and whether the tire goes on the front or the rear.
According to the listings, this Maxxis range falls into four riding styles. For trail and enduro riding there are the Minion DHF, a front-tire classic, and the Minion DHR II, built around rear traction. The Assegai is a gravity tire with Maxxis’s stickiest compound, and the Aggressor, sold here as a two-pack, is a fast-rolling rear tire for hard-packed rocky trails. The Rekon Race is a semi-slick XC race tire, and the Hookworm is a durable street tire for city bikes and cruisers. One practical point: Maxxis makes most of these treads in several wheel sizes, and two of the listings here do not state their size, so always confirm the 29-inch option before ordering.
Maxxis 29 Inch Tire Lineup at a Glance
| Model | Riding style | Listed size | Compound and casing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minion DHF | Trail, enduro (front) | 29 x 2.30 | Dual compound, EXO |
| Hookworm | City, cruiser, BMX | 29 x 2.50 | Single compound, wire bead |
| Rekon Race | XC racing, dry | Not specified | EXO, compound unclear |
| Assegai | Downhill, enduro | Not specified | 3C MaxxGrip, EXO+ |
| Aggressor (2 pack) | Fast rocky trails (rear) | 29 x 2.3 | Dual compound, EXO |
| Minion DHR II | Trail, enduro (rear) | 29 x 2.40WT | Dual compound, EXO |
The Models in Detail
Maxxis Minion DHF With a tread design that deftly balances rolling speed with braking and
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.0/10
Best for: Front tire for everyday trail loops
Pros
- Balanced rolling, braking, cornering
- 29×2.30 EXO, tubeless ready
- Dual compound
Cons
- E-bike rating conflicts in listing
The Maxxis Minion DHF is the tire most riders think of first. The listing describes a tread that balances rolling speed with braking and cornering traction, using a dual compound and an EXO sidewall for cut and abrasion resistance. This listing’s size is 29 x 2.30, tubeless ready, with a black sidewall, weighing 0.93 kg.
The description says it is designed for front wheel use. The e-bike rating is inconsistent: the features and title say E25, meaning suitable for light-duty e-bikes assisted up to 16.1 MPH, while the description says E50. Treat it as E25 unless Maxxis confirms otherwise. The Maxxis Minion DHF 29 suits a rider doing local trail loops who wants a predictable front tire that rolls well on climbs and holds a line in corners. For more on sizing, see our 29 inch Maxxis bike tire guide.
Maxxis Hookworm One rubber compound is used throughout the tread of the tire
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.0/10
Best for: City commuting and cruiser riding
Pros
- 29×2.50 wraparound tread
- 60 TPI, resists pinch flats
- Built for urban abuse
Cons
- Not tubeless
- Wire bead, 2.2 lb
The Maxxis Hookworm is the odd one out: a street tire. It has a wraparound tread pattern and sturdy construction built for urban abuse, with a single compound. This listing is the 29 x 2.50 size with a black sidewall, a 60 TPI wire bead casing, bead-to-bead tread and resistance to pinch flats. It is not tubeless and weighs 2.2 pounds.
The listing names BMX, cruiser, cargo and pedicab use. The Maxxis Hookworm 29 suits a commuter who has converted a 29er mountain bike into a city bike, or anyone riding pavement, curbs and potholes daily. Its smooth tread gives little grip on loose dirt, so it gives way to any of the trail tires once you leave the road.
Maxxis Rekon Race Featuring the lowest tread height in the Maxxis XC line, the Rekon Race
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.4/10
Best for: Dry-weather XC racing
Pros
- Lowest tread in Maxxis XC line
- 805 g, EXO sidewall
- Tubeless, tan sidewall
Cons
- Size not stated in listing
- Poor fit for wet terrain
The Maxxis Rekon Race has the lowest tread height in the Maxxis XC line, a semi-slick design for riding and racing in mostly dry conditions. It has an EXO sidewall, a tan sidewall color, is tubeless and is rated E25. The listing gives a weight of 805 g.
Two points need checking. The listing does not state the wheel size or width, so confirm you are ordering the 29-inch version. And the title says dual compound while the features say single compound. The Maxxis Rekon Race 29 suits XC racers and fast riders on dry, hard-packed trails. On wet roots or loose steep descents, its low knobs give way to the DHF or DHR II.
Maxxis Assegai Greg Minnaar’s signature tire
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.6/10
Best for: Bike park days and steep enduro
Pros
- 3C MaxxGrip, stickiest compound
- Grip at any lean angle
- Wide Trail profile
Cons
- Heavy at 1,232 g
- Size and casing unclear
The Maxxis Assegai is a gravity tire built for grip at every lean angle. It uses 3C MaxxGrip, which the listing calls the stickiest, slowest rebounding rubber Maxxis offers for mountain bikes. The listing describes the EXO+ casing, which adds a small butyl insert near the bead for moderately rocky, rooty terrain, and a Wide Trail profile optimized for rims around 30 mm internal width, usable on rims from 19 to 35 mm.
The title mentions DD, DH and EXO+ casings together, and the listing does not state wheel size, so confirm both before ordering. It weighs 1,232 g, the heaviest here. The e-bike rating is E25 in the features and E50 in the description. The Maxxis Assegai 29 suits bike park days and steep enduro riding where braking and cornering grip matter more than rolling speed.
Maxxis Aggressor, Rear Tire 2 Pack The Maxxis Aggressor is designed for high-speed, hard- packed rocky trails
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.4/10
Best for: Rear tire on fast, rocky trails
Pros
- 29 x 2.3 in., tubeless
- Two tires in the pack
- Dual compound, EXO
Cons
- Casing wording unclear in title
The Maxxis Aggressor two-pack is designed for high-speed, hard-packed rocky trails and works especially well as a rear tire paired with a Minion DHF or Assegai up front. It uses a dual compound with an EXO sidewall, is tubeless and is rated E25. The listing specifies 29 inches in diameter and 2.3 inches wide.
The title mentions both EXO and DD, and the listing does not clarify which casing you receive. A “tensile strength” of 60 psi appears in the specs, which likely refers to a pressure figure rather than a material property. The Maxxis Aggressor 29 suits a rider on dry, fast trail networks who wants a quicker-rolling rear tire, and the two-pack gives you a spare or a matched set for two bikes.
Maxxis Minion DHR II With side knobs borrowed from the legendary Minion DHF, but widened to
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.8/10
Best for: Rear traction for trail and enduro
Pros
- 29×2.40WT, tubeless ready
- Wide supportive side knobs
- 8 kg with EXO
Cons
- No product description provided
The Maxxis Minion DHR II borrows its side knobs from the Minion DHF but widens them for more support, which the listing says gives excellent cornering and braking traction. This is the 29 x 2.40WT size with EXO, dual compound, E25 rating, tubeless-ready construction and a black sidewall, weighing 0.8 kg. It shares the Wide Trail profile described above.
The listing highlights rear-specific traction and a firm center with soft shoulders that balance wear life and grip. The product description field is blank. The Maxxis Minion DHR II 29 suits riders who want a confident rear tire for technical trails and enduro, and it pairs naturally with the DHF or Assegai on the front.
Matching a Model to Your Setup
- Local trail loops with mixed climbs and descents: Minion DHF front, Minion DHR II rear.
- Bike park weekends and steep enduro: Assegai front, Minion DHR II rear.
- Fast, dry, rocky trail network: DHF or Assegai front, Aggressor rear.
- Dry XC races or fast weekday laps: Rekon Race, after confirming the 29-inch size.
- Commuting on a 29er converted for the city: Hookworm.
Before You Buy
The Rekon Race and Assegai listings do not state wheel size or width, and the Assegai and Aggressor titles mention more than one casing without saying which you get. E-bike ratings conflict on the DHF and Assegai. The DHR II has no description text, and the Aggressor spec table omits weight.
None of the listings include tubeless valves or sealant, so if you run tubeless, budget for those separately. A reliable pump is also essential for setting tubeless tires and checking pressure before rides; our portable tire inflator guide covers compact options for the garage.
FAQ
Which Maxxis tire should I buy for trail riding?
The Minion DHF on the front and Minion DHR II on the rear is the combination these listings point to for general trail use.
Is the Minion DHF a front or rear tire?
The description says it is designed for front wheel use. The DHR II listing highlights rear-specific traction.
Is the Hookworm tubeless?
No. The listing describes it as non-tubeless with a wire bead.
What does E25 mean?
According to the listings, E25-rated tires are suitable for light-duty e-bikes with assistance up to 16.1 MPH.
How do I know I am getting the 29-inch version?
Check the size named in the listing’s included components or specifications. The DHF, DHR II, Hookworm and Aggressor state 29-inch sizes; the Rekon Race and Assegai listings do not.