In the world of mountain biking, tires are one part that is often overlooked. The reason is a simple one – anyone who rides on some courses and terrain have figured out that some tires simply won’t cut it. Whatever the case, some riders still rely on their old pairs of tires – but they should know this pair is going to be different the moment they try them out for themselves.
Samples of tires that work best on this type of terrain are those from Maxxis, a brand that has been known as one of the most trusted names when it comes to MTB products. The latest two additions to their catalog, however, are set to change the game for good. These are the Maxxis – Ardent Dual Compound Tubeless MTB Tire and Maxxis Minion DHF Tire.
Two very good choices, but how exactly do they differ from each other? What makes them so different that it is enough to justify their purchase individually? For those looking for answers, then, the following discussion is going to be very useful.
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Maxxis 60 TPI vs 120 TPI: Differences
The Ardent is excellent for lighter riders while the Minion is best if you want something to cut through tough terrain.
The Ardent is slightly lighter, making it easier to handle throughout the ride. The Minion DHF, on the other hand, is better when you need something that can keep up with a heavy rider as its heavier design makes it more durable and stable in the long run.
Maxxis 60 TPI vs 120 TPI: Similarities
Both models are capable of more than one type of riding.
Both tires are great entry-level choices especially when you’re looking for models that perform well on various types of terrain.
The tires are both of great quality.
Maxxis 60 TPI vs 120 TPI Compared
The two Maxxis offerings are both designed for mountain biking and each has its intended purpose. The Ardent is primarily for cross-country riding whereas the Minion is a downhill-specific tire. Both tires use a similar tread pattern however their sizes have different dimensions in terms of height, width as well as weight so you will need to factor these into your decision making.
Construction for Tough Terrain
The Ardent is designed for cross-country riding with its lighter weight, lower air pressure and softer construction which makes it a rather forgiving tread pattern that will work well in multiple situations.
The Minion DHF tire is more of an all-mountain type design that has been developed to tackle the trails head-on with a tougher composition indicates that it is much more robust and ready for any terrain that you may encounter.
Winner: Maxxis 60TPI
Size
The rather large size of the 2.25 Ardent allows for higher air pressure which helps to ensure a smoother ride with less rolling resistance. It also offers great traction on mixed terrain and includes ramped knobs that help to provide a secure footing in muddy conditions as well as the ability to self-clean.
The softer compound and larger knobs of the Ardent give a smoother ride on hard-packed trails compared to most other mountain bike tires however it does feel a little unstable at higher speeds or over loose surfaces.
Winner: Maxxis 120TPI
Pricing
The Maxxis Ardent is a bit cheaper in terms of minimum price as its prices range from $55-$135 while the Maxxis Minion’s prices start at $94 which is on the upper side. However, the higher price also comes with the heavier construct.
Winner: Maxxis 60TPI
Speed
The 2.5 Minion DHF on the other hand is built for speed with its fast-rolling tread and tough rubber composition. The tires carcass is designed to be flexible when going over bumps so you can concentrate on picking out the best lines instead of worrying about your bike handling skills.
Winner: Maxxis 120TPI
Comfort
The Ardent has been designed with bead seat protection and proper folding in mind which makes it a great option for tubeless use. This gives you more control because of the increased traction and control and it eliminates any pinch flats as well.
This is a very important feature to consider especially if you plan on using your mountain bike for general road riding or commuting purposes.
Winner: Maxxis 60TPI
Control and Stability
The harder compound of the Minion DHF provides good grip in most conditions and is more suitable for aggressive riding trails as well as extreme rocky surfaces. The fact that the Ardent is a lightweight tire with lower air pressure does affect handling on some surfaces.
It can feel unstable at higher speeds or over loose terrain which means that you will need to adjust your riding style if it doesn’t work for you. The harder compound of the 2.5 Minion DHF also makes it less forgiving than the softer Ardent tires however it also gives you more wheel control and stability.
Winner: Maxxis 120TPI
Set-up
The 2.5 Minion DHF is easy to mount which can be a problem with some other tubeless compatible tires so it’s ready for use when you are. The Ardent tire does require more preparation but once they have been properly set up they work well without any issues. In addition, the lack of pinch flats means you can ride with confidence and concentrate on the trail ahead instead of worrying about flat tires or blowouts which may slow you down or result in expensive repairs.
Winner: Draw
Versatility
The 2.5 Minion DHF also offers good traction and control but is more suited to more aggressive riding and extreme trail conditions.
The Ardent support beads are larger for easier mounting and they work well for most users in the majority of terrain and weather conditions but if you want to ride with confidence on any surface then the 2.5 Minion DHF would be a better choice for your needs.
Winner: Maxxis 120TPI
Maxxis 60TPI Pros
It rides extremely well on a variety of surfaces.
The flexibility of the tread knobs, which appear to be in a “V” formation when viewed straight on, helps to shed mud and other debris which may have accumulated during the ride.
Many riders have reported that it does not suffer from burping or premature air loss of more than 1-2 psi
Able of handling the most aggressive of riders in terms of traction and shock absorption.
It is lightweight and puncture resistant with an overall supple feel on the trail.
Maxxis 60TPI Cons
You have to watch the tire pressure readings very closely.
Other tubeless tires respond better to rougher terrains.
Maxxis 120TPI Pros
Good stopper for sliding downhills.
Easy-rolling with good traction.
Lightweight, only 1 pound 13 ounces per tire.
Minimal downtime for the tires.
Maxxis 120TPI Cons
A little too heavy for anyone who dares to ride in areas with very few bumps.
Its stiffness gets translated into more vibrations throughout the bike frame.
The price might be a bit high for an inexperienced rider.
It is hard to determine which option would be better for a customer. Unless they know exactly what their needs are, their better option is to buy from a local bike shop that can give them advice on which tire would be more beneficial for their usage.
Ultimately, the Maxxis Ardent Dual Compound Tubeless MTB Tire and the Maxxis Minion DHF Tire are both great products; however, there may not be much of a reason to buy into one over the other – everything comes down to preference, weight and cost.
Which Is Better Maxxis 60 Tpi Or 120 Tpi?
Our #1 Recommendation
Maxxis – Ardent Dual Compound Tubeless MTB Tire
Rubber Compound: Maxxis Dual Compound
Flat Protection: EXO Sidewall
Tire Intended Use: Mountain, Trail, Downhill, Enduro
Tire Type: Tubeless Ready Clincher
Tire Diameter: 26″, 27.5″, or 29″
