Top Trail and Enduro MTB Tyres | Mega Mountain Bike Tyre Test

We put 10 mountain bike tires to the test to see which are the best for trail and enduro riding. Manufacturers are increasingly making specific tyres for the front and rear wheel to cater for different needs, so we tested each individually to see how they compare.

Many mountain bikers will tell you that a good pair of MTB tyres makes all the difference to the way a bike feels, and that they’re one of the best places to upgrade your bike.

Alex Evans, BikeRadar's Technical Writer, has tested five pairs of tyres in both 29in and 650b wheel sizes, with one front and one rear specific model from each manufacturer. After testing them on a range of terrain and tracks, Alex shares which tyres he thinks are the best for enduro and trail riding.

Previous Tyres Test Video

Specialized Butcher GRID TRAIL T9 29x2.3in

Maxxis Minion DHF EXO+ TR 3C MaxxTerra 29x2.5in

VEE Flow Snap Trail Enduro Core Top40

WTB Verdict TCS Light/High Grip + Slash Guard 29x2.5in

Schwalbe Magic Mary Super Trail TL Easy ADDIX Soft 29x2.4in

Specialized Eliminator GRID TRAIL T7 29x2.3in

Schwalbe Big Betty EVO Super Gravity ADDIX Soft 29x2.4in

VEE Attack HPL Enduro Core Top40 29x2.5in

WTB Judge TCS Tough/Fast Rolling 29x2.4in

Maxxis Minion DHR II DD 3C MaxxGrip 29x2.4in WT

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[bikeradar]

Which tyre is your favourite? Is there a tyre we’ve missed off this list? Let us know in the comments! 🚴🚴

[ronchang]

I've ran the Magic Mary and DHR2 combo for a couples years, now, and it works better than any combo I've tried in damp, steep, intermediate terrain. Thanks for the comprehensive review!

[MilatovichFamily]

I will say only this. Michelin DH22 front, Wild Enduro rear. Perfect combo for natural enduro trails/mountaineer paths.

[carlosarauz]

Cross country hardtail with 100m fork: Forekaster 2.35 Front, Rekon Race Rear. Great for dry conditions. All-Mountain "Down-country" 120 mm trail bike, 130 mm fork: Minion DHF 2.3 in the front, Rekon Race 2.25 rear. Interestingly, AMAZING for climbing. The descent, not so much grip in the back. I am changing the trail setup to Dissector 2.4 in the Front, and Rekon 2.4 in the back.

[ХристоРъцев]

Also another thought - probably testing on a shorter travel or even hardtail bike will reveal even more the character of a tire, because you don't have the suspension travel to mask some of the characteristics of the compound/casing.

[Mugtree]

Awsome review. I use a magic Mary up front and Nobby Nic at the rear. For me they are amazing in mud, snow, dust, hard pack rocks and roots. Love them

[danfarmer_photo]

Surprised you didn’t test the Assegai…?

[oskarstaudte]

My winter setup: Maxxis shorty front, dissector rear, and summer setup: Maxxis DHF front, and dissector rear. Best combo. (Also dissector epic tyre so versatile)

[ХристоРъцев]

I use Magic Mary 2.35 in front and High Roller II 2.3 in the back of my 100mm 27.5" xc bike. Super grippy combo, maybe just little problematic when starting up a steep greasy hill bc of the HR II, otherwise insane amounts of grip in the forest. Down some rocky descents it is amazing what a difference the thicker carcass makes compared to thinner xc tires. First of all the bike feels more compliant and absorbs more vibrations bc of bigger volume and tougher casing. Second it is way more confidence inspiring in the corners and last but not least stopping power is another level, it feels like changing to more powerful brakes! I mean the tires by far can change how a bike feels and rides, experimenting with different brands and models is eye opening(mish-mashing brands front to rear), also it is the best value upgrade you could and should do to your bike. Unfortunately this comes at a cost - bike feels heavier and less responsive on the pedals, also on asphalt you will suffer with a LOT of rolling noise (high drag/friction) and squirm in corners (those big chunky side knobs are magic in the rough, but on smooth paved roads are super unstable and squirmy). Great video guys!

[Nilla_S]

A good comprehensive review!
Could you also make one for light trail/xc tyres too?

[ek]

took me a rewatch to realize during the front tire roundup you were referring to braking traction as opposed to breaking traction. was confused and concerned why you wanted to lean, break traction, and drift with a front tire.

[micheandmikey]

I recently changed out my Maxxis Assagai / Aggressor combo with Michelin's Wild Enduro gum-x. I have to say I'm extremely impressed and happy with the switch. Living in the PNW we have wet, roots, mud and recently snow. I'll have to wait and see how they perform in the dry this summer. Love them so far!

[mrvwbug]

Definitely need to do another test with the Assegai front (paired either with the DHR2 or Dissector), and the Michelin Wild Enduros and maybe Vittoria Mazza/Martello combo.

[doomvolvo]

Swear by a Magic Mary up front. It's like a cheat code. I admit the Michelin wild enduro come very close but they didn't roll quite as well

[ShaunCulliss]

I run a MM on the front with a Maxxis Aggressor in Double Down on the rear, Aggressor runs a little faster than DHR but still grips really well, especially climbing.

[brocky]

I’ve just changed from a Maxxis DHF to the Maxxis Assegai up front. Amazing confidence inspiring grip.
In combination with the fast rolling, playful yet grippy Maxxis Aggressor in the rear it’s my favourite combo atm. Before the Aggressor I’ve been using the DHR II for years.

[switchion]

For Maxxis, wouldn’t it make more sense to have selected compounds the other way around (i.e MaxxGrip front tire and MaxxTerra back)?

[onathanj]

I thought Magic Mary had good traction but squirm easy in bike park hard cornering. When I went from Magic Mary to Michelin Wild enduro I was surprised how much better The Wild Enduro was at basically everything. Better cornering, rolling speed and puncture resistant. Does not squirm easy as the MM. A clear winner!

[spydersniiper]

Here’s a hack for all these videos, play it back at 1.25 speed and you don’t have to hear this guy talk painfully slow!

[Malio]

Magic Mary out front and Hans Dampf out back. Bike came stock with Nobby Nics. Swapped out the front tire initially for awhile to compliment the faster-rolling NN but soon after changed the rear as well for more grip and predictability.