MTB tyre test: Who builds the best tyre combination for enduro bikes?

A mountain bike tyre is a compromise. High puncture protection or low weight? Plenty of grip and traction or good durability and low rolling resistance? All these properties can be optimised with the latest technology - but we bikers will probably have to dream forever of the one bike tyre that can do everything perfectly. So: set priorities.

Three MTB tyre combos for enduro bikes tested

All-round combination:

• Continental Kryptotal Fr Trail/Re Trail
• Maxxis Assegai EXO+ / Minion DHR II EXO+
• Schwalbe Magic Mary Superground / Big Betty Supertrail

Extreme combination:

• Continental Kryptotal Fr/Re DH
• Maxxis Assegai DD / Minion DHR II DH
• Schwalbe Magic Mary / Big Betty SuperG

(Click to go to the individual rating)

You can find these topics in the enduro tyre test:

The compromise: all-round or enduro combi?

Test summary of the all-round and extreme combos

All carcasses from Continental, Maxxis, Schwalbe at a glance

How the tyre combinations differ

How BIKE tests tyres

All laboratory data at a glance

Which bike tyre is best for me?

Which tyre is the best for your personal area of use depends crucially on the tyre structure and the rubber compound. The tread pattern, i.e. the size, shape and positioning of the lugs, is by no means the decisive criterion. You could say that the true strength of a tyre remains invisible from the outside.

At first glance, a combination of Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II always looks the same. But anyone standing at the shop counter theoretically has to choose one of 48 possible combinations of these two profiles. In the case of our two test candidates from Schwalbe, there are as many as 54 variants! This does not include different wheel sizes and tyre widths.

Why are there only MTB tyres from Maxxis, Schwalbe & Continental in the test?

According to our current reader survey, the three brands Continental, Maxxis and Schwalbe cover 70 percent of tyres purchased in 2022. All other brands land in the low single-digit percentage range. To find out how much the different carcasses, sidewall constructions and rubber compounds differ from each other - and whether you can really feel the differences in practice - we asked two tyre combinations from each of these three manufacturers to take part in the test: an all-round combination and an extreme combination. The highlight: the tread and tyre dimensions are identical in each case. The differences lie solely in the tyre construction and the rubber compound.

We have selected the most popular and versatile profiles for downhill biking from each brand:

From Maxxis the two classics Assegai and Minion DHR II; from Schwalbe the Magic Mary and Big Betty; and from the German rubber giant Continental the all-round combination of Kryptotal Fr (front) and Re (rear) from the new Gravity series.

The most obvious difference in the intra-brand duels: the weight. The light bike tyres weigh a good 1000 grams as 29ers, while the heavy tyres come in at around 1300 grams. Also exciting: 60 per cent more puncture protection, 69 per cent higher rolling resistance, 23 per cent heavier.

The three extreme combos in the test behave completely differently to their three lighter counterparts. The differences between the brands and therefore also between the treads are significantly smaller in the laboratory. But what does the practical test say? Are the differences also noticeable when riding?

Compromise to the power of two: all-round or enduro tyre combo?

In a direct comparison between light and heavy, the difference in weight is most noticeable during normal riding. Almost 300 grams more rotating mass per wheel make the ride noticeably slower. Steering movements at slow speeds or playful riding manoeuvres, such as jumps, become much tougher.

But there are also positive changes. When riding fast on rough surfaces, the bikes with the thick tyres are more stable. The increased grip from the soft tyres is also noticeable in direct comparison. Even with identical tyre pressures. If you let a little air out of the tyres, which the thicker carcasses easily allow and in some cases even require, grip and traction increase even further.

The subjective riding safety and cornering grip of all three extreme compounds are noticeably better than the grippiest all-round compound (Maxxis). However, the thick carcasses also have a disadvantage when travelling slowly. The stiff construction reduces riding comfort, as the tyre is less able to hug bumps. This can be a disadvantage, especially on technical uphills. This effect was most noticeable on the super-stiff Contis with DH carcass. Maxxis, on the other hand, manages to breathe a lot of comfort into the heavy combination. The light versions are suitable for all-round use on demanding tours and trails.

Conclusion & summary of the MTB tyre test

The extreme tyre combos excel in tough enduro terrain with nasty rock gardens and in bike parks when maximum grip and puncture protection are required. The heavier the biker and the wilder the riding style, the more a thick tyre combination makes sense. However, the high weight of the tyres makes bike handling more sluggish. And that brings us back to the subject of compromise. You'll never get round it, but our detailed laboratory and practical test makes the advantages and disadvantages of the individual compromise solutions as clear as possible.

You can also find more articles on the subject of bicycle tyres at:

>> Disposing of old bike tyres: Schwalbe now offers tyre recycling for everyone

>> Bike-Project Europe: These wheels and tyres are built in Europe

>> Six tyre manufacturers name their best combos: The best MTB tyres for enduro bikes

All Continental, Maxxis and Schwalbe carcasses at a glance

Continental Cryptotal Re

The still young Gravity range from Continental is clear in its variety of models. Three carcasses and three rubber compounds are available from Kryptotal. The light Trail casing and the medium Enduro version are each only available with one rubber compound (Endurance or Soft). Only the robust DH carcass offers a choice between soft and super soft compounds - we opted for soft. The trail tyres are the lightest and offer the least puncture protection. The thick DH tyres set the maximum value for puncture protection, but are also among the heaviest.

1. Kryptotal Re Trail Endurance: 1018 g / 313 mm / 18 W
2. Kryptotal Re Enduro Soft: 1181 g / 425 mm /33.9 W
3. Kryptotal Re DH Soft: 1386 g / 638 mm / 35.6 W

Maxxis Minion DHR II

Five tyre constructions, three rubber compounds, countless possibilities to combine: spoilt for choice with the Maxxis Minion MTB tyres. EXO, EXO+ and Doubledown are very close to each other in the lab. Significantly higher puncture protection is only available with the DH casing. Wear tip: the harder dual rubber compound on the DH carcass with wire core. Top for continuous use in hard terrain and also cheaper.

1. Minion DHR II EXO MaxxTerra: 1033 g / 325 mm / 29.3 W
2. Minion DHR II EXO+ MaxxTerra: 1079 g / 363 mm / 28.9 W
3. Minion DHR II DD MaxxTerra: 1212 g / 413 mm / 32 W
4. Minion DHR II DH MaxxGrip: 1335 g / 613 mm / 49.9 W
5. Minion DHR II DH wire Dual: 1380 g / 613 mm / 35.5 W

Swallow Magic Mary

At Schwalbe, we had to use the front tyre for the comparison, as the Magic Mary is available in all four relevant carcasses, while the Big Betty is only available from Supertrail upwards. With Supertrail and Supergravity, you can choose between the Soft and Ultrasoft rubber compounds. Compared to Maxxis, the puncture protection of the stronger carcasses increases evenly and significantly.

1. Magic Mary Superground Soft*: 1039 g / 300 mm / 24 W
2. Magic Mary Supertrail Soft*: 1152 g / 375 mm / 28.3 W
3. Magic Mary Supergravity Ultrasoft*: 1327 g / 525 mm / 42.2 W
4. Magic Mary Superdownhill Ultrasoft*: 1387 g / 625 mm / 43.5 W

Differences between the MTB tyre combinations in the test

Thick or thin carcass? Soft or hard rubber compound? From the outside, the tyre models of the individual manufacturers are almost indistinguishable. The differences are hidden in the inner workings of the bicycle tyres. We explain the advantages and disadvantages of the individual models.

Puncture protection for bicycle tyres

On average, the heavy-duty combos offer 60.4 per cent more puncture protection than their lightweight counterparts. The tyres achieve this with more stable carcasses (1), i.e. several layers of fabric on top of each other, and puncture-resistant protective layers (2) or rubber inserts (3). More material, more puncture protection. However, this also increases the weight by 23 per cent on average. You should pay particular attention to good puncture protection on the rear wheel, as the rear usually hits rough obstacles with less caution but with more momentum. Also, the majority of the rider's weight usually rests on the rear wheel.

Grip and traction

In addition to the tread (4), the rubber compound (5) plays a major role in the cornering grip and traction of the tyres. Especially on hard surfaces or in the wet. Softer rubber adapts much better to the ground and literally interlocks with obstacles. This noticeably increases riding safety, especially on the front wheel. A thick carcass also allows lower air pressures, which further increases grip.

Rolling resistance

The extremely puncture-resistant and grippy tyre combinations roll on average 69 percent more slowly than the all-rounders. The softer rubber compound is largely responsible for this. The soft lugs literally stick to the ground. If you value efficient rolling and often pedal longer distances on tarmac or hard surfaces, you should opt for harder rubber, at least on the rear wheel. This is where around 75 per cent of the weight is borne. The rolling resistance of the front tyre therefore costs significantly less energy. A stiffer carcass also increases rolling resistance, as additional flexing work is required. However, this influence is less than that of the rubber on our test tyres.

Wear and tear

Everyone knows this from school: a soft eraser rubs off faster than a hard one. It's the same with tyres. The magic words Ultrasoft, Supersoft or Maxx-Grip promise massive traction, but the soft compounds also wear out much faster. This is impractical for anyone who rides a lot in the park or generally covers a lot of metres. The rear wheel is particularly affected. A super-soft rubber should therefore only be used carefully.

How BIKE tests MTB tyres

Laboratory test of bicycle tyres

In order to get the hard facts under comparable conditions, we tested all bicycle tyres in the test laboratory of tyre manufacturer Schwalbe. All tests were carried out at a tyre pressure of 1.7 bar on uniform rims. During the puncture test, a 19-kilo drop axe is dropped onto the tyre. The drop height is increased until the tyre runs out of air. The higher the drop height, the better the puncture protection.

To simulate a puncture or slitting of the tyre, a metal spike penetrates the tyre. Once on the tread and once on the sidewall. The maximum force is measured until the tyre carcass is punctured. The rolling resistance is determined on a drum test rig at 20 km/h and a load of 50 kilos. This procedure maps the rolling resistance on tarmac and very hard surfaces.

Practical test of tyres

We had three identical all-mountain bikes at our disposal for our practical test. With an identical setup, we were able to switch quickly and easily between the tyre pairs and test the rubber in direct comparison with each other. Three additional 29er wheelsets enabled us to ride all tyre pairs back to back and in constant alternation in defined terrain situations. This allowed us to filter out the differences in detail.

From cornering grip on hard and loose surfaces to traction on steep climbs or roots and braking power on downhill trails, a total of four testers tested the relevant capabilities of a tyre combination. The autumn conditions provided the perfect conditions to get to the bottom of the wet grip of the rubber and the self-cleaning properties of the treads.

The opinion of the testers

Statement from Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor:

Minimum tyre pressure means maximum riding pleasure, because the grip increases massively! But this only works with a stable tyre, which is why puncture protection is my top priority. Above all, you spend a lot of time travelling with shuttles and gondolas on an enduro bike anyway. The higher weight and greater rolling resistance of thicker tyres don't bother me anyway.

Statement by Laurin Lehner, FREERIDE magazine:

Admittedly: In direct comparison, you can feel the advantage of the soft rubber compounds. But these are only nuances. The increased wear is out of all proportion. Your wallet and the environment will thank you if you choose the harder rubber. In addition, the tough rolling behaviour of the super grippy tyres makes climbs a pain.

Statement by Florentin Vesenbeckh, Test Manager EMTB:

A lot helps a lot? It doesn't make sense to just blindly reach for thick and heavy tyres. The higher weight on the wheels makes handling noticeably slower. A real disadvantage on long tours or with a playful riding style. That's why I think: A thick tyre is only worthwhile for wild terrain and riding styles.

All laboratory data of our tyre test at a glance

No matter which MTB tyre you choose: The full potential can only be exploited with the right tyre pressure.

Test all-round combos: Low weight and good running characteristics - Results

Continental Kryptotal Fr/Re Trail

Lightest combi, lowest rolling resistance - but also weak puncture protection. That's the short version of the lab data for the Kryptotal combination in the trail version. The Continental MTB tyre also lands on the tame side in the practical test. Traction and cornering grip are behind the competition with the hard rubber, but it performs predictably. The same applies at the limit. This saves the rider a few scary seconds on the trail. If you prioritise weight, rolling resistance and, last but not least, price, you've come to the right place. We know from experience: The wear is low. Tip for trail fans: For more grip, opt for the grippier Enduro version with soft rubber >> e.g. available here.

Manufacturer information Kryptotal Fr (v) - Kryptotal Re (h)

• Price: 59.95 Euro* | 59.95 Euro
• Rubber compound / TPI¹: Endurance / 60 tpi - Endurance / 60 tpi
• Carcass / Size: Trail / 29 x 2.4" - Trail / 29 x 2.4"

Laboratory test Kryptotal Fr (v) - Kryptotal Re (h)

• Weight / rolling resistance: 1033 g / 21.8 watts - 1019 g / 18 watts
• Tyre width / height: 59.8 / 58.7 mm - 59.2 / 58.20 mm
• Puncture/stitch²: 313 mm / 702; 407 N - 313 mm / 657; 390 N

Result of the practical test Kryptotal Fr (v) - Kryptotal Re (h)

BIKE judgement³: Good - 39.7 points

Maxxis Assegai / Minion DHR II EXO+

A lot helps a lot! This motto applies to the lug-packed tread of the popular Assegai front tyre. The cornering grip is superb, especially on hard surfaces. Even if the tread looks less like it, it also offers good guidance on deep terrain. Only the braking traction is slightly better on the other enduro tyres. The classic DHR II tread pattern on the rear wheel offers the best traction in the test. The combination is the heaviest among the all-rounders, and the rolling resistance is also the highest. On the other hand, it offers the best puncture protection. However, the sidewall is not very robust. Tip: The Assegai Exo+ is also available with sticky MaxxGrip rubber.

Manufacturer information Assegai (v) - Minion DHR II (h)

• Price: 79,90 Euro - 79,90 Euro
• Rubber compound / TPI¹: MaxxTerra / 60 tpi - MaxxTerra / 60 tpi
• Carcass / size: Exo+ / 29 x 2.5" - Exo+ / 29 x 2.4"

Lab test Assegai (v) - Minion DHR II (h)

• Weight / rolling resistance: 1171 g / 27.9 watts - 1066 g / 28.6 watts
• Tyre width / height: 61.3 / 59.4 mm- 59.5 / 57.9 mm
• Penetration/stitch²: 375 mm / 603; 335 N - 388 mm / 597; 327 N

Practical test result Assegai (v) - Minion DHR II (h)

BIKE judgement³: Very good - 41.8 points

• BIKE tip: All-round

Schwalbe Magic Mary Superground / Big Betty Supertrail

Schwalbe's Supertrail tyres have shed 200 grams compared to the last test two years ago. Also new: the Magic Mary in the thinner Superground version. Anyone looking for a lightweight front tyre with top traction and good cornering grip will find it hard to avoid this enduro tyre. Especially as the rolling resistance is also at a very good level. The Big Betty on the rear wheel could not quite keep up in the practical test. All in all, this combination offers a good compromise between weight, puncture protection and riding characteristics. The front tyre with its aggressive tread also works excellently on deep ground.

Manufacturer information Magic Mary (v) - Big Betty (h)

• Price: 74,90 Euro - 68,90 Euro
• Rubber compound / TPI¹: Addix Soft / 67 tpi - Addix Soft / 67 tpi
• Carcass / size: Superground / 29 x 2.4" - Supertrail / 29 x 2.4"

Laboratory test Magic Mary (v) - Big Betty (h)

• Weight / rolling resistance: 1039 g / 24 watts - 1120 g / 24.7 watts
• Tyre width / height: 62.2 / 56.8 mm - 62 / 57.1 mm
• Pierce/stitch²: 300 mm / 566; 366 N - 388 mm / 630; 395 N

Practical test result Magic Mary (v) - Big Betty (h)

BIKE judgement³: Very good - 42.9 points

Test results for extreme combos: Massig grip and puncture protection for extreme terrain

Continental Kryptotal Fr/Re DH

In the DH version, the Cryptotal in the practical test is much closer to the Schwalbe and Maxxis combos. Grip and cornering grip are excellent with the soft rubber. Continental even scores top marks for puncture protection thanks to the very stiff carcass construction. At low speeds and identical air pressure, the MTB tyre is less comfortable to ride than the thick tyres of the competition. Advantage: Even at extremely low air pressure, the knobbly tyre remains stable on the rim and does not bend. Good uphill traction with soft rubber. Also very good-natured and predictable in this version. Good wear values despite the soft compound.

Manufacturer information Kryptotal Fr (v) - Kryptotal Re (h)

• Price: 84,95 Euro - 79,95 Euro
• Rubber compound / TPI¹: Supersoft / 110 tpi - Soft / 110 tpi
• Carcass / size: DH / 29 x 2.4" - DH / 29 x 2.4"

Laboratory test Kryptotal Fr (v) - Kryptotal Re (h)

• Weight / rolling resistance: 1276 g / 40.3 watts - 1386 g / 35.6 watts
• Tyre width / height: 60.3 / 59.3 mm - 59.5 / 59.1 mm
• Penetration/stitch²: 538 mm / 696; 515 N - 638 mm / 737; 488 N

Result of the practical test Kryptotal Fr (v) - Kryptotal Re (h)

BIKE judgement³: Super - 43.1 points

Maxxis Assegai DD / Minion DHR II DH

In the practical test, this extreme enduro combination turned out to be the testers' favourite. The cornering grip is unbeatable and the MTB tyre remains extremely controllable and good-natured at the limit. Traction on the rear wheel also sets the benchmark for this test. The snappy DHR tread gets the bonus of the super-soft MaxxGrip compound, and you can feel it. However, the tyre also rolls the hardest and wear is high. Not for kilometre collectors and frequent riders. Also exciting: no top score for puncture protection, despite the highest combined weight. Good: supple casing with high riding comfort, even at low speeds.

Manufacturer information Assegai (v) - Minion DHR II (h)

• Price: 84,90 Euro - 79,90 Euro
• Rubber compound / TPI¹: MaxxGrip / 2x120 tpi - MaxxGrip / 2x60 tpi
• Carcass / size: Dubledown / 29 x 2.5" - DH / 29 x 2.4"

Lab test Assegai (v) - Minion DHR II (h)

• Weight / rolling resistance: 1311 g / 52.5 watts - 1335 g / 49.9 watts
• Tyre width / height: 60.5 / 57.9 mm - 59.3 / 56.9 mm
• Pierce/stitch²: 438 mm / 554; 454 N - 613 mm / 647; 514 N

Practical test result Assegai (v) - Minion DHR II (h)

BIKE judgement³: Very good - 40.9 points

Schwalbe Magic Mary / Big Betty Supergravity

Swallows Magic Mary is a classic in the all-mountain and enduro segment. However, the very soft Ultrasoft compound is only used on very few bikes. The cornering grip is superb and the traction when braking is outstanding. The tamer Big Betty tyre can't quite keep up. On the other hand, it offers by far the lowest rolling resistance of all the extreme combination tyres. The weight remains within limits, but this is accompanied by the weakest puncture protection of the three comparison rear tyres. Noticeable: Magic Mary is heavier and more puncture-resistant than Big Betty. The Supergravity sidewall is the most robust in the stab test!

Manufacturer information Magic Mary (v) - Big Betty (h)

• Price: 74,90 Euro - 74,90 Euro
• Rubber compound / TPI¹: Addix Ultrasoft / 67 tpi - Addix Soft / 67 tpi
• Carcass / Size: Supergravity/29 x 2.4" - Supergravity/29 x 2.4"

Laboratory test Magic Mary (v) - Big Betty (h)

• Weight / rolling resistance: 1372 g / 42.2 watts - 1276 g / 25.5 watts
• Tyre width / height: 60.6 / 55.8 mm - 59.2 / 54.9 mm
• Pierce/stitch²: 525 mm / 742; 730 N - 575 mm / 660; 854 N

Practical test result Magic Mary (v) - Big Betty (h)

BIKE judgement³: Super - 44.9 points

• BIKE tip: Test winner

Threads per inch

²The first value was determined on the running surface, the second on the side wall. In each case with a 5 mm blade.

²The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super, very good, good, satisfactory, with weaknesses, unsatisfactory. Due to different weightings, the rating may differ from the rating in our sister magazine EMTB.