The name may be the same, but there aren’t many similarities between the new model and its predecessors when it comes to the actual tread pattern. Instead, the tire looks more like a mashup of the Shorty and the Assegai, taking the center knobs from the former and the side knobs from the latter, a combination that’s intended to create a tire that can penetrate loose ground while still providing good support for high-speed cornering. Developed with direct input from World Cup DH riders, it’s already racked up a resume that includes a World Cup win and several podium finishes.
• Dimensions: 29 x 2.4″ and 27.5 x 2.4″
• MaxxGrip rubber compound
• 2 x 60 TPI DH casing
• Claimed weight: 1400 grams (29″) / 1335 (27.5″)
• Price: $105 USD
• maxxis.com
Initially, the tire will only be available in a DH casing with MaxxGrip rubber in a 2.4-inch width for 29 or 27.5-inch wheels, but DoubleDown and EXO+ casings are in the works.
Driving impressions
Midsummer conditions are in full swing at Whistler Bike Park, which means the braking bumps are getting bigger every day, wheel-swallowing holes are forming in even the best-constructed berms, and the dust layer is getting deeper. In other words, pretty ideal conditions to put a tire like the High Roller through its paces.
I’m a fan of the Shorty in wet conditions, but it’s not a tire I’d want to use in the bike park due to the softer shoulder knobs – they tend to fold when you push them on hardpack, which can lead to unwanted wheel wash. With the Highroller, the slightly shorter center knobs compared to the Shorty and the firmer side knobs feel much more planted on hardpack. There was no vagueness when pushing into the chopped-up berms on the A-Line or Dirt Merchant, and it wasn’t long before I could completely trust the tire and really lean into those high-speed corners.
It hasn’t rained in a while, so I can’t speak to how the tires perform in the wet, but they’re very nice to have when navigating steep, muddy trails. The 2.4-inch width keeps them from feeling too vague or floaty, and the tire does a great job of biting into the soft ground. Several of the trails I tested them on had sustained stretches of hard braking, and there was enough grip to keep me from accelerating out of control.
The Highroller feels a little more precise than the Assegai – you can really feel what the tire is doing as those knobs dig in. There’s still a nice sweet spot to play with, though; it’s precise without needing to be perfectly placed all the time. I’m no DH racer, but it’s easy to see how this would make a good race tire – the Canadian Open DH race track is a good example of where it would be a good fit, with lots of steep, loose sections filled with sand, roots and rocks.
It’s worth noting that these are designed more as a race tire than something you can stick on your bike and ride for months on end without any degradation. My rear tire was starting to show some wear after a few days of park riding and light pedaling, mainly in the form of chewed-up center knobs. That’s to be expected when you pair sticky rubber with harder, packed conditions, but it’s something to keep in mind, especially given the price point of DH tires. A Highroller on the front with a MaxxTerra DHR II on the back would be a good combo that’s a little more focused on durability.
Overall, the Highroller fits well into Maxxis’ lineup, although I wonder if the Shorty will take a back seat due to the added versatility the Highroller offers.