World Cup downhill rider celebrates in front of a packed crowd after a race run on Maxxis gravity tires. Downhill mountain biker navigates a rocky World Cup course on Maxxis gravity tires during a high-speed descent.

Maxxis Introduces a New DH Casing and Minion DHX

Maxxis Introduces a New DH Casing and Minion DHX

For more than two decades, the Minion name has defined downhill tire performance. From World Cup podiums to bike parks around the world, Maxxis gravity tires have earned a reputation for delivering predictable handling, uncompromising grip, and race-winning speed.

But downhill racing has evolved.

Downhill mountain bike champion lifts a trophy on the World Cup podium as fans celebrate below.

Today’s bikes are more capable. Riders are carrying more speed into rougher terrain than ever before. Race tracks are more technical, impacts are bigger, and the growing demands of aggressive trail, bike parks, and eMTB riding continue to push tire performance to new limits.

The latest generation of Maxxis downhill tires has been developed with the singular goal of giving our athletes and customers the best solution possible for riding confidently and aggressively on today’s most technical terrain.

Downhill mountain biker navigates a rocky World Cup course on Maxxis gravity tires during a high-speed descent.

The Foundation of Speed

After more than 2 years of development, numerous refinements, and the harshest product testing our world cup athletes could throw at it, we are proud to introduce the next generation of Maxxis downhill tire construction.

At the heart of the New DH Casing construction is progressive casing stiffness, allowing the tire to remain supple over small impacts while providing increasing sidewall support as cornering and impact forces build. Rather than forcing riders to choose between grip and stability, the New DH Casing delivers both.

The increased support allows riders to reduce tire pressure by approximately 2-3 psi compared to the previous-generation DH casing. Lower pressures improve terrain conformity while creating a slower tire rebound, giving the bike a calmer, more planted feel and increasing traction through rough terrain.

Downhill rider airborne over a jump with alpine mountains in the background, showcasing Maxxis Minion DHX tire performance.

Improved puncture protection and a weight comparable to the previous DH casing complete a construction designed to meet the demands of modern gravity riding head-on.

The result is a tire casing that allows riders to tune pressure for maximum performance, and not simply to prevent sidewall rollover or rim strikes.

NEW DH

The NEW DH Casing delivers improved compliance over rocks and roots, greater support under hard cornering and impacts, and increased durability—because flat tires are never fast.

On the trail, that means more confidence through technical terrain, a reduced risk of tire and rim damage, and a smoother, more controlled ride that leaves you ready for another lap.

Key Features

  • Progressive casing stiffness allows tire pressure to be optimized for performance without sacrificing sidewall support or rim protection.
  • Supports lower tire pressures (2–3 PSI less than the previous-generation DH Casing) for enhanced traction, slower tire rebound, and a more planted, damped ride feel.
  • Improved puncture protection.
  • Comparable weight to the previous DH Casing.
  • Dual-ply 120 TPI construction.
  • MaxxGrip rubber compound.
  • Tubeless Ready.
  • E25 and E50 rated.
new-dh-casing-tech-v2

No Margin. No Mercy.

Minion DHX Downhill Tire

The all-new Minion DHX is Maxxis’ next-generation dry-condition gravity tread, engineered for riders demanding maximum grip and support in fast, high-load conditions.

Purpose-built for the speed and intensity of modern downhill racing, the DHX features a new tread architecture with reinforced shoulder knobs that resist folding under extreme cornering loads while shallow siping allows the tread surface to conform to the trail for exceptional mechanical grip.

The result is greater stability through high-speed corners, a smooth and intuitive transition from center tread to shoulder knobs, and the confidence to commit when the fastest line leaves no room for hesitation.

Close-up of a downhill mountain bike carving through a berm, highlighting the cornering grip and support of the Maxxis Minion DHX.

Comparable rolling speed and braking performance to the proven DHR II ensure riders sacrifice nothing in efficiency while gaining increased support and cornering precision.

Designed for use as either a front or rear tire, the Minion DHX is equally at home between the tape, in the bike park, or on aggressive eMTBs where higher speeds and increased loads demand more from every tire.

World Cup downhill rider celebrates in front of a packed crowd after a race run on Maxxis gravity tires.