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Looking for a 2.8 x 27.5 maxxis front tyre for the solaris, just had a run out with a high roller 2 I borrowed off a mate, I was quite surprised by the amount of grip.
Only ran 2.8 nobby nics briefly before and they are shocking on the front in the wet.
Is the hr2 the grippiest option for the front or is a dhr2 or dhf a better bet.
Was considering a magic mary but after trying the hr2 I was fairly happy with grip and rolling resistance and now think the MM may be overkill.
I want to run this all year round.
Vigilante could be an option too but can't find em anywhere other than amazon and they are expensive.
I haven’t tried them in 2.8 but based on the DHF 2.5, DHR2 2.4 and HR2 2.4, I’d say the DHR2 is the most versatile. The DHF is fractionally better in the turns but doesn’t stop half as well whilst the HR2 is better at not clogging up in the wrong sort of mud but doesn’t actually grip or roll better in any other scenarios.
Haven't used the DHR on my B+ Solaris but have used the others. DHF offers better grip than the HR2 in most conditions other than as said above, when used in sticky mud the HR2 clears better. For a year round tyre I'd go for the DHF (in maxxterra compound).
DHF for sure.
Firmer rocky trails DHF.
Natural or wet trails DHR.
Both better than HR2 in any condition.
My personal fave is DHR. Brakes much better in the wet than DHF.
I had a 2.8 dhf on my Solaris for a couple of years . I liked it , seemed to work pretty well on all surfaces and importantly for a plus tyre I never put a hole in it 😀
I haven't tried a dhr as for ages I'd assumed it was a rear specific tyre
I haven’t tried a dhr as for ages I’d assumed it was a rear specific tyre
DHF isn't 'Front', it's freeride, DHR isn't 'Rear', it's race 😉
As above, DHR2 is a more versatile tyre, not a fast as a DHF but more controlled/better braking etc in loose conditions.
I've only tried the hr2 in 2.8, from maxxis. It's awesome.
Don't accept advice based on other sizes, the tread pattern is so different on the 2.8 with the huge gaps.
“DHF isn’t ‘Front’, it’s freeride, DHR isn’t ‘Rear’, it’s race 😉”
I saw Singletrack state this in a review - and I also saw the designer of the the original Minions refute this when posting on another forum a few years back. It is DownHill Front and DownHill Rear.
It’s also obvious that the DHF has always been more about turning and the DHR more about braking - and what matters more in racing and freeride? Exactly.
My Whyte came with an HRII TREXO3CMaxxTerra on the front and I've barely given it a second thought. It just gets on with it.
2.3 DHF is better up front than a 2.3 HR2.
BUT
Ive found that a 2.4 hr2 is a better front tyre than 2.4 dhf, certainly in mixed-muddy conditions, which is most of my riding
Not ridden the 2.8 but considering the big difference between the 2.3 & 2.4 you want someone who's ridden dhf & hr2 in 2.8.
Well big split in views there 😂 but cheers for the advice.
Im thinking the most aggressive as most of the riding is wet/loamy off piste of Dalby.....possibly the DHR2 then 🤔
The better mud clearing of the HR2 is interesting though, not considered that but I can see why.
So long as the DHR2 is predictable in corners then it could be the one??
I do have a pair of nobby nics, 1 of which is on the rear.....for now.
The other can go on front come dry times.
I'm running 27.5 2.8 DHF front, and 2.8 DHR II rear.. both EXO casing, the compunds are different, the rear being 3C should hold up under braking forces better. block pattern is obviously more high roller like (parallel lines). i was considering the highr roller for the rear originally.
They are an an improvement over the vee crown gems i had before, but also, drag on flat surfaces. (say if i'm riding up a linking tarmac or hard pack fire road)
I also run a 2.5 DHF on my 29er wheelset with a 2.4 ardent in the rear. (also EXO)
DHF is a good front tyre, not lost the front end yet.
Not remotely what you asked, but I took a punt on the Michelin Wild AM in 2.8" flavour and have been very pleasantly surprised by it - grippy, reasonably light and seem sturdy enough (went up tubeless very easily as well). Cheap as chips too:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/michelin-wild-am-performance-tlr-mtb-tyre/rp-prod171268
^ pattern looks good. fast rolling but handy in the turns?