The Minion SS is available in a range of tyre sizes for mountain and enduro bicycles. Check the table above and remember we are bringing in new sizes all the time.
Minion SS Tyre Test Results
If you’re looking for mountain bike or downhill cycling tyres and you’re not sure which tyres to choose, you can always look to tyre tests for the answer, and there are plenty of tyre tests involving the Minion SS
Mountain Bike Rider
A go-to UK-based magazine for mountain bike riders, MBR is a great source of reference for independent advice on aftermarket parts and accessories for your bike, and they scored the SS a very respectable 8/10:
“Secure cornering hold that comes at an earlier lean angle, which will suit riders looking for consistent grip.
The edge tread blocks are the same as the hugely popular Minion tyre, and point straight into the earth more than other similar designs tested, and are paired with lower, angular tread squiggles down the centre.
This means the slip-to-grip sensation on looser or low-grip surfaces is toned down, but, the flipside is a secure cornering hold that comes at an earlier lean angle, which will suit riders looking for consistent grip. It feels more like a traditional big-blocked rear tyre than most.
The widely-spaced edge blocks do a great job of cornering predictably and confidently, but the shoulder treads are less successful at retaining momentum — the more upright knobs drag a little, which impacts on rolling speed.
Under braking, the dual-compound rubber and minimal centre tread are very well controlled, and the SS also handles mixed conditions without any drama. To sum up, the Minion SS rides great, but doesn’t feel as fast as some rivals…”
Mick Kirkman, MBR.co.uk, October 2016
Dirt Mountain Bike
DirtMountainBike.com reviewed the Minion SS and were pleased with the results:
“With the Maxxis Minion SS the raised shoulder tread lets you carve heavily into loose corners with total confidence. There’s no risk of the tyre breaking away early that you get with a lighter standard treaded tyre. Once you’re back out of the turns the SS lends itself to quick acceleration on undulating terrain. Whether in or out of the saddle the pace easily quickens, yet the high volume sizing and lowish weight (around the 750 – 800g area) lets you run lower pressures, especially when tubeless so comfort and small bump compliance is still there. Gone are the days of needing higher pressures for a quicker feel.
If you’re anything like us, you’ll want to set your summer treads up tubeless and leave them that way, so what happens if the rains arrive and the trails turn wet for a few days? Can the Maxxis Minion SS cope? Yes it can. With the traction and grip from front and rear suspension and the right handling skills there is enough traction for most wet trail centres and flatter off piste tracks, especially if the tyre pressure is reasonable low. With a tubeless set up and the aggressive shoulder tread it will get you up all but the greasiest climbs with just the sticky off-camber mudslides being the only real challenge.
It’s maybe not for everyone, but the Minion SS is certainly a good tyre to have as an option, especially if the dream of parched trails comes good this season. Give one a try and you may be leaving it on until September…”
Sean White, DirtMountainBike.com, April 2016
Pink Bike
PinkBike.com is a go-to source of information on parts and accessories for the cycle enthusiast, and they concluded that “The Minion is a specialty tire, but it's also one that's usable in a wider range of conditions than its appearance might suggest. Paired with an aggressive front tire it's an excellent option for riders looking for additional speed without sacrificing much in the way of control”:
“The Minion SS arrived just as the dry and sunny summer weather began to slip away, giving me the chance to try it in trail conditions ranging from bone dry to perfectly tacky and all the way to wet and greasy. Setting the Minion SS up tubeless didn't pose any problems, and I typically ran between 25 – 27 psi with it mounted to a 23mm internal width rim. I paired the Minion SS with the new Maxxis 2.5” Minion DHF in the front, creating the mullet of tire combos – business in the front and a party in the back. The more aggressive front tire ensured that the bike stayed on track in loose terrain, leaving the Minion SS free to shift and slide around when necessary. It's a very enjoyable tire combination, and even in the steeps, there was more control and traction than I'd expected. The tall side knobs are what make the SS perform worlds better than a worn-out 'regular' Minion would – they prevent it from breaking free too suddenly and keep the wheel locked into the turns.
The most obvious benefit of a semi-slick tread pattern is the reduced rolling resistance, which was especially noticeable when spinning out the miles on a dirt road or smoother sections of singletrack. The Minion SS gets up to speed quickly and helps take the sting out of those long approaches, a welcome alternative to meatier tires that can make it feel like you're riding through molasses.
As far as durability goes, even after a couple months of regular use the small center knobs, the area I expected to see the most signs of wear, are still holding their shape, and there hasn't been any cracking or tearing of the side knobs. The Minion SS's total lifespan will depend on terrain and riding style, but it doesn't seem as if it will be drastically shorter than that of a fully treaded tire.”
PinkBike.com
Flow Mountain Bike
FlowMountainBike.com tested the Minion SS and when asked if they would recommend the tyre, they answered: “100%. If you like the ride feel of a rear tyre that encourages a bit of fishtailing, but you still want the front end grip to stop you crashing onto your face, then this is a great combo. The value for money and reliable construction is just the icing on the performance cake. These tyres mightn’t be new in the market, but they still deliver.”
“EXO is Maxxis’s lightweight sidewall reinforcement. 3C stands for triple compound, naturally. It’s soft on the sides (42a durometer), firmer in the centre and firmer still underneath, for good rolling speed and excellent grip. The Minion SS is dual compound, not 3C, which is why it’s a little cheaper too.
They’re quick! We hoped these would roll well, but they’ve surpassed expectations in that regard. At the same time, they’re great in the corners, in a wide range of trail conditions.
No cuts, flats, tubeless leaks or other worries have arisen either, and Maxxis are traditionally rather indestructible.”
FlowMountainBike.com, September 2016
Single Tracks
Having tested the Minion SS SingleTracks.com has some pretty good things to say:
“What do you get when you cross a burly downhill tire with a lightweight, fast-rolling one? Well, you get something that looks exactly like the new Maxxis Minion SS. To be honest, it’s an odd-looking tire that will leave some riders scratching their heads, but after running this tire for several weeks now I can tell you it’s oh-so-sweet on the trail.
Early on in my testing, one of the things I noticed is how well the Minion SS rear tire handles off-camber and side-hill trail sections. The side knobs literally cut into the high side of the trail, while the center tread rolls smoothly and confidently. The Minion SS tire makes easy work of old school singletrack trails in the mountains–no bench cut required.
I personally dig semi-slick tires like the Minion SS, though I understand this style of tire isn’t for everyone or for all conditions. But for trail and enduro riders who like to push the limits in relatively dry conditions, the Minion SS is an excellent choice. This is definitely a tire I plan to keep running for a long time.”
Jeff Barber, SingleTracks.com, October 2015
Who Rides the Maxxis Minion SS?
Martin Zietsman
Professional mountain biker Martin Ziestsman has competed in countless racing series including; Scottish Enduro Series, Welsh Gravity Enduro Series, Tweedlove Enduro Series and EWS. He chooses Maxxis tyres and here's what he has to say:
‘Maxxis aren’t regarded as the best gravity tyres in the world for nothing. They have a tyre for any and every trail condition. Maxxis gives me total confidence in my tyres, allowing me to hit trails with complete trust in my grip, knowing I can focus wholly on the trail ahead. It’s incredible knowing the limit of your speed is your ability and not your tyres…’
Minion SS Tyre Reviews
Sometimes the best reviews come from riders just like you. Take a look at our user reviews below.
Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, April 2020:
“I had this tyre come spec’ed on a bike I bought. I thought I would give it a go and was really surprised. Obviously it rolls super fast, that goes without saying. I was more surprised with how the tyre copes everywhere else. I’ve had this tyre in dry dust trails in Morocco, as well as rattled down Mt Snowdon in Wales with the same tyre. It will handle light mud and grips fairly well. Clear deeper mud it cannot cope with. For mixed condition trails it handles amazing. Corners really well and has had it fair share of rocks thrown at it, always taking on more that I thought it could. It loses grip when straight line braking at times but you expect that with the type of tyre. Even knowing how good it is. I’m always hesitant to put it on. However, when I do. I’m always rewarded with how good it is. I usually run it as a rear tyre with 30psi.”
Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, February 2020:
“Rolling machine. Best rolling tyre I’ve ever had and corners just as good stopping distance is extended but that’s expected but worth it for me on the XC”
Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, January 2020:
“Fast rolling tyre with plenty of cornering grip, absolutely perfect for dry summer conditions… Doesn't slip when climbing, and brakes well. I have this tyre mounted on the rear, with 30mm rims. I run about 25 PSI, tubeless. The profile is good, early engagement of the side knobs when cornering (great for those who don't lean that aggressively), but side knobs stay clear when pedalling. Worth getting Silkworm protection for peace of mind (it's only about 10g more).”
Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, August 2019:
“Around UK Trail Centres and relativity hard pack terrain this tyre is fantastic on the rear. Excellent rolling speed with minimal rolling resistance, but grips well under braking and hooks up with full grip on corners or when leaned over. The semi-slick design makes this a playful rear tyre, and it will track separately from the front as it slips and skips around, but it always feels under control as the aggressive side knobs catch the terrain and keep it on course through the rough. Can be a little sketchy in the wet or on mud, or when pushed very aggressively, say at uplift centres, but for general trail riding this is a brilliant rear tyre.”
Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, August 2019
“Bought this to replace my trusty High Roller 2 at the rear, for summer. Yes it rolls faster. I thought this would mean there'd be a horrible grip trade off, but no. It's still remarkably grippy, even in some pretty wet conditions. It does spin up a bit more easily on slippy, out of the seat pedaling climbs. But on the whole--it's a superb tyre. I'm a lover of technical descents, and I'm no slouch when I'm riding them. I can see myself keeping it all year round! Great price too.”
Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, August 2019:
“Granted this would still be lethal as a front tyre but I wondered how it would be on the back, whilst the uk trails are bone dry... Turns out they’re legit! Fast-rolling and the side knobs give you great cornering grip - you obviously sacrifice some braking and climbing traction with a centre tread like this but... They’re way better than an Aggressor (for example) in both cornering grip and rolling resistance. As soon as things get wet again, the DHF will go back on the rear, but whilst it’s dry, surprisingly this thing rips!”
Interested in the Minion SS tyre for your mountain bike? Scroll down to use our dealer locator to find a tyre fitter near you.
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