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Alright, I realise that the "F" in "DHF" doesn't stand for "Front" but I don't know anyone who's running a DHF as a rear tyre. I'm getting a slightly wider, MaxxGrip DHFII for the front of my bike and wanted to just swap the MaxxTerra version to the back wheel. Anyone done this and regretted it? Or loved it? I mostly ride Surrey Hills. Slowly and cautiously.
before the DHR2 came out (when the original DHR was a bit pants) loads of people used front and rear DHF.
Cornering knobs are I believe the same on both
I'd have thought it to be really draggy but then I prefer a worn tyre or Semi slick on the rear.
It'll be fine. They're not the best on the rear- they don't slide too nicely and they're a bit draggy, especially in 3C- but it'll work, and be better than most tyre combos.
Definitely not as good as 2 DHR2s mind.
I always thought it did stand for front.
I’ve switched to aggressor on the back for most stuff now but I’m still on dhf front and back in 42/60 flavour for bigger stuff. still my favourite combo for harder riding that doesn’t involve much pedalling.
Yeah, got a 2.5wt dhf front and 2.3 dhf rear. It's fine, or more, it's not a limiting factor. That'll be me.
Ran them F&R as do lots of people for years.
Prefer the Assegai/DHR2 combo these days though 🙂
I've known a few people running the DHF backwards on the rear and none of them had any problems with it, although as already mentioned above the DHR2 on both seems a more popular option
Think it’ll just be a bit draggy and probably won’t brake quite as well as a dhr2 does but you’ll be alright imo (no death involved).
I thought Maxxis confirmed the F was front? Either way I run dual DHR in Maxx grip and they're ace for pretty much everything
Edit - though my ridings 99% pointing down
“Alright, I realise that the “F” in “DHF” doesn’t stand for “Front” ”
It definitely does - I’ve seen the original designer refute erroneous claims that it was Freeride and Race, stating that it was always Front and Rear.
Until the DHR2 came along most people ran the DHF on the back too because the DHR was rubbish. And now loads of people run dual DHF or dual DHR2. I’d even be happy running DHR2 front and DHF rear!
Give it a try, worst case you have a spare front tyre, it's only messing about with the rear as well, i get more twitchy switching the front as i always worry about front wash out more than any rear slippage, so you've a good chance of surviving this test.
I used to use them front and rear as well, wouldn't say they were even very draggy. Quite fast rolling as I remember.
The main downside was not great braking grip I think, but only compared to something like a High Roller (rather than a semi-slick or low-profile tyre).
Ran a DHF on the back in Italy and France this year after being on a DHR2 for a year. Quite surprising how much less braking traction there is!
Assegai & DHR2 is brilliant, apart from the drag on the front. Great for lift assisted or uplift riding.
DHF is lighter and less draggy than a DHR2 on the rear but doesn't grip as well. Not a massive difference, though, so you won't die.
JP
After running 2 bikes with dhf front and semislick / dhr rears and thinking them perfect for the last 2 years, Then losing the front end multiple times in soggy woods and typical cobble/bit of everything West Yorkshire valleyside footpaths.
I tried the wild enduro 2.4 gumX £31 on tredz (after £5 voucher)
As a front tyre it has blown me away with how good it is and given me full confidence in it. Definately worth a try .
Yes, you might die... but only because the DHF is such a shockingly bad tyre.
They seem to just give up as you lean the bike over, as they transition between the centre and side knobs.
Totally unrelated... I've got two 650B skinwall 2.3 Maxxterra going up for sale (2 rides old) if anyone wants them.
I do about a third of the time.
Buy a pair, DHF and DHR. Rear wears out first, cheaper to buy another pair. Second rear wears out, run two fronts, both worn out roughly at the same time, repeat.
2 x DHF is my normal go to set up for a bit of everything set up, until it properly dries out when i swap the rear for a Minion SS.
I run a 3C Wide Trail 2.5 on the front and a 2.3 maxterra on the back.
Yes, you might die… but only because the DHF is such a shockingly bad tyre.
Burn the heretic!
I run DHR 2's in 2.4 WT back AND front. I'm still alive as i sit here typing.
I run DHR 2’s in 2.4 WT back AND front. I’m still alive as i sit here typing.
Danny Hart runs that setup, he's very fast.
@Sir HC.... i didn't know that. He's plainly trying to emulate my turn of raw SPEED.
You defo don't die and they aren't slow or anything.

So I'm hearing... it's OK (I won't die) but it's not ideal... The hunt for a 29x2.4 DHRII EXO TR 3C begins now.
I’m running EXO+ as there’s not too much weight penalty, but the sidewalks are a fair bit thicker.
I used one at the rear for about 3 months last year, I slashed my rear DHRII and had a spare front DHF lying around.
Cornering grip - same as the DHRII, maybe a tiny touch better
Climbing grip - in between the Aggressor and the DHRII, but not that great
Braking grip - on par with the Aggressor, which is to say none
Rolling resistance - felt the same as the DHRII
I thing they work reasonably well in the rear for park and trail center use, but even there I don't think there's a significant advantage over the DHRII
For general use, DHRII every day
DHF are a bit pants I reckon. Theres far better out there now. The price of Maxxis tyres has gotten beyond silly now for some reason too.
OK they may be alright in the dry but what really makes me laugh is when people recommend it as a tyre capable in the wet. Its downright dangerous when its wet.