In the thrilling world of mountain biking, where every descent is a rush and every climb a challenge, the line between triumph and tumble often comes down to one crucial choice: your tyres. These circular warriors are not just parts of your bike; they are your contact point with the earth, your partners in navigating treacherous terrains, and your trustees in the pursuit of adrenaline. Whether you're slicing through slick mud, gripping onto gravelly gradients, or carving corners with precision, the right set of tyres can elevate your ride from good to legendary.
As varied as the trails are the tyres that conquer them, each designed with a specific type of terrain, riding style, and weather condition in mind. From the aggressive tread patterns that cling to loose soil, to the robust casings that ward off punctures and tears, choosing the perfect tyre is both an art and a science. This blog aims to guide you through the top 5 MTB tyres, breaking down their strengths, weaknesses, and the scenarios in which they excel. Whether you're an enduro enthusiast, a downhill daredevil, or a trail trailblazer, join us on this journey to discover the ultimate connection between your bike and the ground beneath it.
The Tyres
Maxxis Minion DHR II
The Maxxis Minion DHR II is renowned for its aggressive tread design, ensuring excellent all-round grip. It features ramped centre treads for efficient rolling while maintaining superb grip, making it a solid choice across various conditions, particularly on soft trails. It's redesigned from its predecessor, combining a new centre tread pattern with side knobs derived from the Minion DHF, creating a benchmark in performance. Not only does it offer exceptional braking and cornering traction, but its versatility allows it to be a great choice on both ends of the bike, adding serious capabilities to your trail bike. With weights starting from 755g, it's available in a wide range of sizes and compounds to suit different riding styles and conditions.
Best Price: HERE
image: @maxxisbike instagram
Maxxis Minion DHF
The Maxxis Minion DHF stands out as a legendary tyre within the Maxxis range, perfect for cornering with confidence and designed to excel in loose conditions. The slightly ramped centre tread ensures reasonable rolling resistance, while aggressive side knobs provide secure traction no matter how deep you dig into corners. This makes the DHF a superb choice for both Enduro and Downhill riding. Available in a broad spectrum of sizes and compounds, it caters to various preferences, with weights starting from 700g. Moreover, all tyres with widths of 2.5 or 2.6 are available in the WT (Wide Trail) versions, designed to match today's wider rims for improved fit and performance.
In summary, both the Maxxis Minion DHR II and DHF tyres are celebrated for their robustness, grip, and versatility across different mountain biking disciplines. Their unique tread designs cater to aggressive riding styles, offering unparalleled control and confidence on challenging trails. Whether you're descending steep terrains or cornering through loose dirt, these tyres are engineered to provide the traction and durability you need for your MTB adventures.
Best Price: HERE
image: @maxxisbike instagram
TLDR: These tyres are the go-to choice for trail and downhill riders, boasting a great reputation for reliability and performance.
Pros:
- Exceptional grip in corners and loose terrain.
- Durable construction suitable for harsh riding conditions.
Cons:
- Slightly heavier than some competitors, which could affect climbing efficiency.
Best For:
- Aggressive riders who demand the best in traction and durability for downhill and enduro riding.
Michelin Wild Enduro Series
Michelin Wild Enduro Racing Line Rear Tyre
Designed to excel on a variety of terrains, the Michelin Wild Enduro Racing Line Rear Tyre combines the Michelin Wild Enduro tread with Magi-X DH and the Downhill Shield to deliver maximum grip. It's built for durability with a double-reinforced Downhill Shield and anti-puncture reinforcement, ensuring excellent handling even at low pressures. It's tubeless-ready and suitable for E-Bike use, featuring a 29" x 2.4 size. The Magi-XDH technology offers high grip levels in both wet and dry conditions across a wide temperature range.
Best Price: HERE
Michelin Wild Enduro Racing Line Front Tyre
Similar to the rear tyre, the Michelin Wild Enduro Racing Line Front Tyre is engineered to perform across all types of terrain. It shares the same tread pattern, Magi-X DH technology, and the Downhill Shield for maximum grip and robustness. This tyre is also tubeless-ready and E-Bike ready, available in a 29" x 2.4 size. It's built to provide the grip you need to win, with double-reinforced Downhill Shield and anti-puncture reinforcement for handling at low pressures.
Best Price: HERE
image: @michelinbikes instagram
Michelin Wild Enduro Gum-X Rear Tyre
The Gum-X Rear MTB Tyre offers an optimised tread pattern for rear wheel use, balancing grip and strength. It uses Gum-X3D technology for incredible grip and performance, with a Gravity Shield 3x33tpi casing for excellent protection and "Pinch Protection" reinforcement to minimise pinch flats. It's designed for durability and extra mileage.
Best Price: HERE
Michelin Wild Enduro Gum-X Front Tyre
For the front wheel, the Gum-X Front MTB Tyre provides similar benefits as the rear version but with a tread pattern optimised for front wheel use. It aims for terrain versatility, maximum braking grip, and progression. The Gum-X3D technology, combined with a Gravity Shield 3x60tpi casing and "Pinch Protection," ensures grip, performance, and durability.
Best Price: HERE
Overall, the Michelin Wild Enduro series offers a comprehensive solution for mountain bikers seeking exceptional grip, robust protection, and versatility across varied terrains. Whether you're gearing up for a rear or front setup, these tyres promise to enhance your riding experience with their specialised designs and advanced technologies.
image: michelin
TLDR: The Michelin Wild Enduro is a versatile option that excels in both dry and wet conditions.
Pros:
- Excellent grip on varied surfaces.
- Robust design that withstands aggressive enduro riding.
Cons:
- May not be the fastest rolling tyre on hardpack terrain.
Best For:
- Riders looking for a reliable tyre that performs well in all weather conditions.
Continental Kryptotal Series
The Continental Kryptotal series, comprising front and rear specific tyres, is designed to elevate MTB performance to new heights, tailored over a development period of three years to meet the demands of all terrains and conditions.
Continental Kryptotal Front Tyre
The Kryptotal Front Tyre is engineered for optimal performance on mixed terrain. It features a unique tread design with steeply ramped and staggered patterns, providing exceptional grip across various conditions. This front-specific tyre is praised for its incredible grip on mixed surfaces, supported by a shoulder tread that ensures predictability and traction during aggressive cornering. It's tubeless-ready, e-bike rated up to 25kph, and available in multiple casing and compound options, including Supersoft, Soft, and Endurance, to suit a wide range of riding styles.
Best Price: HERE
Continental Kryptotal Rear Tyre
Similarly, the Kryptotal Rear Tyre excels on mixed terrain, offering a rear-specific tread design that promotes exceptional rolling speed and grip. The tread features steep ramps for easy rolling and incredible grip, along with highly supported shoulder tread for traction and predictability under aggressive cornering. Like its front counterpart, it's tubeless-ready and compatible with e-bikes up to 25kph. It also provides options for Supersoft, Soft, and Endurance compounds, catering to different rider preferences and conditions.
Best Price: HERE
Both tyres are part of Continental's holistic approach to MTB tyres, designed to be a "fit and forget" choice for riders who dislike frequent tyre changes. The Kryptotal series is praised for its performance in mixed and loose terrain, offering a balance between grip, self-cleaning, adaptivity, and rolling characteristics. Whether for downhill, enduro, or trail riding, the Kryptotal series ensures a robust and reliable choice, enabling riders to tackle all terrains with confidence.
image: @conti_mtb instagram
TLDR: The Continental Kryptotal is a newer entrant designed for a wide range of conditions, offering a balance between grip and speed.
Pros:
- Innovative tread design for multi-condition performance.
- Various compound options to suit different rider preferences.
Cons:
- Some riders might find the selection of compounds and casings confusing.
Best For:
- Those who value versatility and ride in changing conditions.
The Schwalbe Big Betty Addix Evo TLE Tyre
Is recognized for its toughness and versatility as a rear MTB tyre, offering excellent braking traction through its long, wide, and well-supported centre tread. It features super blocky shoulder treads for impressive cornering grip and an open tread design that clears mud effectively, making it suitable for a wide range of conditions. The tyre incorporates Schwalbe's latest technologies, including Super Downhill and Super Gravity tubeless-ready casings for puncture resistance and durability, alongside the Addix rubber compounds for enhanced grip and durability.
Best Price: HERE
image: @SchwalbeTyresUK instagram
TLDR: The Schwalbe Big Betty is the perfect partner for aggressive downhill and enduro riders, offering exceptional braking traction and cornering grip.
Pros:
- Outstanding braking traction.
- Durable and puncture-resistant construction.
Cons:
- Performance in extremely muddy conditions could be better.
Best For:
- Downhill riders needing a reliable tyre for braking and cornering in techincal sections.
Goodyear Newton Enduro Tyres
Goodyear Newton MTR Enduro Rear Tyre
The Goodyear Newton MTR Enduro Rear Tyre shines when it's positioned at the back, making it an excellent choice for tackling loose off-camber sections, rocky chutes, and pinballing down rocky sections. It features a dual-ply, 120TPI construction which balances suppleness and fast rolling with improved traction and support. The tyre's Grip3 compound is rear-specific with triple density 40/50/60a, providing a balanced level of grip and treadwear. Additionally, it includes EN: Wall protection, which consists of a butyl layer within the casing ply that offers defence against cuts, abrasions, and extra sidewall support. This tyre is versatile enough for a range of conditions from loose dust to wet loam.
Best Price: HERE
Goodyear Newton MTF Enduro Front Tyre
The Newton MTF Enduro Front Tyre is engineered to lead the way through aggressive turns, maintaining grip on off-camber sections, and securing traction on wet roots, dusty rocks, and challenging turns. Like the rear tyre, it features a dual-ply, 120TPI construction that ensures the tyre is supple and fast rolling while also providing high levels of support and improved traction. The Grip3S compound is front-specific with triple density 40/42/60a, delivering ultimate grip levels and slow rebound properties for unparalleled front-end control. The EN: Wall protection enhances its resilience against cuts and abrasions, ensuring the tyre's longevity even in the most challenging terrains.
Best Price: HERE
Both tyres are part of Goodyear's dedication to offering robust and high-performing tyres for Enduro riding. With their specific constructions and compound formulations, they address the needs of aggressive downhill and trail riding, ensuring riders can tackle challenging terrains with confidence. Whether you're looking for a tyre that excels in the rear with balanced grip and treadwear or a front tyre designed for ultimate grip and control, the Goodyear Newton Enduro series has you covered.
The Goodyear Newton MTR and MTF Enduro Tyres are designed for the demanding terrain of Enduro riding, offering a combination of grip, durability, and performance suitable for both front and rear applications.
image: @goodyearbike instagram
TLDR: The Goodyear Newton Enduro has excellent grip and durability, designed for the enduro rider who demands performance in all conditions.
Pros:
- Triple compound for optimised grip, wear and speed.
- Durable construction for enduro and aggressive trail riding.
Cons:
- Might be overkill for lighter trail riding.
Best For:
- Enduro riders who need a tyre that can handle a variety of terrains and conditions with confidence.
Choosing the right MTB tyre is more than just a decision; it's a commitment to the type of rider you are and the trails you wish to conquer. Throughout this guide, we've journeyed through the top 5 MTB tyres, each with its unique features, strengths, and recommended scenarios. From the grip-dominant designs of Maxxis Minion DHF & DHR for those steep, heart-pounding descents, to the all-weather versatility of the Michelin Wild Enduro, and the innovative engineering behind the Continental Kryptotal, Schwalbe Big Betty, and Goodyear Newton Enduro, it's clear that the right tyre can be a game-changer on the trails.
But the journey doesn't end here. The world of mountain biking is ever-evolving, with new technologies, designs, and materials constantly emerging to push the boundaries of what's possible. As you consider your next set of tyres, think about the terrains you most often face, the riding style you've honed, and the conditions you love to challenge. Whether you're upgrading an old favourite or venturing into new riding styles, there's a tyre out there that's the perfect fit for your adventure.
We encourage you to visit our full range, dive deep into the specifications, and even reach out if you need guidance. Your perfect tyre match is waiting to roll with you through every bump, jump, and corner the trail throws your way. Let's keep the spirit of adventure alive, one ride at a time.