I switched my DHF for an Assegai about a year ago and the main reason was for hoped better grip, and that is exactly what I got. I run Maxxis on my Norco Sight, Assegai up front and DHR in the rear and it performs fantastic. I do run a High Roller on the front and Rekon on the rear on my Giant Trance and those do well for that bike and for general trail riding with a little tech thrown in.
Great review as always...👍🏾...been using Assegai 2.6 upfront and 2.4 minions DHR at the back, both on 29er rims for almost 2 years now with no issues with grip giving confidence on downhill braking too..
@@LoveMTB Yup...I swap wheels for flatter single tracks (more gravel riding) with schwalbe hurricane 2.5 on both front and back. What would you recommend for the rear with less rolling resistance?
I got an Assegai / DHR as front / rear tire combo in my 160mm Enduro bike. It's a great combination for technical descents in sketchy terrain. But it's completely OVERKILL for general trail riding. Too much drag on the uphill. That's why I have a Dissector / Aggressor setup in my 140mm hardtail.
Have been using the Assegai 2.5 on both of my bikes in the front for the last two years. I used to run the Minion DHF first in 2.3 and after in 2.4, loved the DHF, maybe is the with on the Assegai that is the key, but the grip on the Assegai is unbeatable and I feel that my confidence is enhanced on them.
The Assegai is my favourite front tire. It has as much braking power as a DHR II, but corners better. I tend to use it in MaxxGrip (I live in BC so it can get real wet), and either DD or DH casing. Tbh I don't notice any difference in rolling resistance, I couldn't even tell the difference between a worn out EXO High Roller II and a new DH casing DHR II on the back. Most of my bikes have 150-170mm rear travel. I tend to use a DHR II on the back with an Assegai up front. Contiental's Kryptotal tires look interesting to me. The Fr looks like an Assegai and the Re looks like a DHR II, and apparently their compounds last longer than Maxxis.
I have been trying all the most popular front tires, and my top of new Nobby Nic (has side knobs similar to Magic Mary), old Snakeskin Magic Mary, both weigh around 800g. Then from Maxxis is DHF 2.5, a bit heavier at 1000g, but rolls well. I had the Assegai for a couple weeks, and it was pretty slow rolling, all the siping I think slows it down. And Vittoria new Mazza is like an refreshed DHF with similar profile but Vittoria 4c rubber, I really like it!
Assegai Maxxgrip EXO+ or DD all day every day for my front tire choice. The grip is amazing, consistent and offers rock solid braking on steep terrain. It is a bit heavy, but well worth it. Have not tried anything from Specialized, Schwalbe, WTB that gives me the same confidence and grip. Although the new Continental stuff does look interesting.
Got one on the front, slightly grippier in flatter loose over hard turns but not as much diff as everyone is raving about, really loose stuff there's no tire with enough grip.
I am using the Assagai 29x2.5 WT EXO on 52mm wide HUGO rims against all advice from Stans, my friends and all who spot them on the trail. They seal well, handle great and roll pretty darn good for so much rubber on the ground. Next pair will be the EXO+ version. I love my Assagai's. Thanks for the video.
Got two assagai to stick on the bike 2.6inch up front and 2.5inch rear. Can't wait to try them as my summer tyres. In winter I ride a shorty 2.4 inch up front and a 2.3 dhr rear. Thank for you content, always watch and have based a lot of my choices for components because of your videos
10 years ago I NEVER thought I'd be using tires over 1000 grams 😅. 5 years ago the thought of 850-950 made me cringe. Now look at us. Keep up the good work brotha. Love the videos
My experience with assagai is very different and based on some other reviews i read in forums I am not alone. Based on all the reviews commenting on the Assagai grip, I installed the Assagai on two of my bikes and started to wipe out way more often compared to DHF's. Assagai is great if you ride packed or the road and you can tell it has way more grip. It usually does as well as DHF except in two key scenarios. When there are pebbles or rocks from 5-30 mm, or loose twigs and leaves, the Assagai begins to surf on top and you lose all steering while DHF still manages to dig in. The second one is loose over pack as fast as I can possibly go, DHF sticks better - at least judging from the number of wipeouts with assagai vs DHF. Maybe my riding is just dialed in for DHF. After grade three AC separation, I am back on DHF for all my bikes and have not wiped since. If you live in San Diego and want a free assagai let me know.
The only tire that I've ridden that can compete with the assegai is the Michelin wild enduro. The assegai is better for dry conditions, but I feel its traction fails in wet/muddy conditions, whereas the wild enduro is great in wet conditions
Specilized butcher t9 compound fron and rear they were on sale just recently got another set front 29x2.6 and rear 27.5x 2.3 awesome tires. I also had the combo you just reviewed. And for a lil over 100 bucks for the pair on sale, the specilized are the for shure way to go.. My 2cents 🍻
I recently went from a DHRII to the assegai tested in the vid (on the rear). I’ve definitely noticed increased drag and can’t wait to go back to the DHRII which was lighter and plenty grippy enough. Assegai is definitely grippy though.
I didn’t like the DHR2 up front on my ride. Made steering a little too quick when initiating a turn. As a rear tire, it’s fantastic. Rolling resistance or drag is entirely unimportant to me, but for many it’s a dealbreaker
Aspen 2.4 for 95% of my riding, if im racing and its muddy and sticky, i will swap to my old vittoria barzo 2.25's for the day. Really impressed with the ground control 2.35 so far too as a fall/spring tire!
I ride dhf and assegaï and i prefer the dhf: better rolling resistance, lighter and much better cornering! The dhf is like a ski on his edge while the assegaï is not as precise as the dhf on the front wheel because the side knobs are "flexy" compare to the dhf side knobs. Maybe the assegaï as a better breaking but i'm not sure... I like the chanel with big and firm side knobs and central knobs oriented to maximise the breaking control in steep chute. So i will test the dhr on the front and the old highroller 2😉
Sorry, i've riden dhf and assegaï on the front wheel and for my next test with dhr and hr2 , it's for the front wheel too😉 Sorry for my bad english☺️@@LoveMTB
Recently put an assegai 27.5 x 2.6 on my hardtail, and imo its definitely an improvement over the dhf I used to run - same compound and casing in both but the assegai just feels 10x more compliant and gives me a lot more confidence.
This just shows how bad Schwalbe are at the moment. I try to save weight wherever possible so went for Hans Dampf and Nobby Nic. The 2.6 Hans weights 1150g and the 2.4 Nic is 910g... Might as well enjoy a world of gnarr and grip with an Assegai!
This has been my experience as well. Before they switched to their new casings, you could get a HD, NN, or Rock Razor all between 800-900 grams. Bought a new 29 Rock Razor and it was over 1100 grams. WTH! Also, side knobs still tear off.
@@MP-MTB Yes, it used to be so with the new Schwalbe Super line. But now, it looks like they either improved QC or altered the production processes since their latest batches come within stated weight: two weeks ago a pair of 29 Super Trail Rock Razors arrived and one was 850g while another 830g. I'm waiting for two NN Super Trail Soft 29 to come - those shall be within 1090g.
@@sensai_miagi The 2.6 Hans is the same width as a 2.5 Maxxis. The old 2.6 Snakeskin Hans was less than 1000g You might also want to check the wide availability of 2.4 Nobby Nics before making yourself look like a moron.
Recently bought a new Fuel Ex Gen 6. The stock tyres supplied didn't get rave reviews especially on wet rocks, roots etc which is standard fare where I live and ride. So I've bought an Assegai for front And Minion DHR for rear.
Assegai for summer and Magic Mary for winter works best for me. The Magic Mary cleans mud well and is still very good in dry cold or snow. The Assegai is unbeatable for dry, dusty and loose.
Yeah I'm going to start looking for a better winter tyre, last really steep techie ride was super wet and muddy, and the Assegai just sucked all the mud/clay into its tread and failed to let go until I got onto hard ground and really spun them out! Was a complete washout with the front wheel being so damn clogged up that it was just hang on for dear life down the steep chutes and hope it would give some sort of warning before letting out! Amazing in every other weather though, been amazing since running the Assegai up front and DHR II rear, just not today it would appear! (MaxxGrip front and Rear)
I went the opposite direction myself, because 95% of what I ride is slowspeed stuff(I also do a lot of elevation that is mainly transport just to get to trails), so I'd rather opt for less rolling resistance and just be cautious when I hit wet roots/rocks etc. I had Minion DHR/DHF combo, and I swopped it for a set of Conti Trailking which is way more suited for light and dry conditions.
Currently running a Maza F/Dissector R which seems similar to DHF F/Dissector R combo. Have a spare DHR2 which I'm going to put up front when the Maza finally needs replacing but never thought of the Assegai before. Bike came with a Maza F/Martello R combo and the Martello was good, but the Dissector has more bite in a similar weight combo. Got the Maxxis on sale from CRC so they were like $50cdn each at the time.
Great video! Just the kind of review I was looking for. I want to improve the bump compliance (and grip) of the front in dry/loose/over hard conditions and looking at Assegai in either 2.5 or 2.6 width. I currently run a 29x2.4WT DHRII. Any thoughts on the difference between an Assegai 2.6 and 2.5 WT? I'll be using this on my Tallboy 4 (140/120) and/or my Hightower LT (160/150).
@lovemtb. I had that same DC DHF on the front of my bike and replaced it with a DD assegai. Night and day difference. That DC DHF has too many vague spots and just never felt right. The assegai feels confidently planted, regardless of terrain. DC DHF Makes a really good rear tire though.
For my Terrain - the 2.5 Assegai EXO+ is my go to. Penticton, BC All Mountain Riding. Corners way better and wears better that the DHF in rocky terrain. More support for the side knobs. If you put one in the back - you really notice the drag - only do that in a bike park. DHR2 or Aggressor all the way for a rear tire. The Dissector is scary - especially when cornering on rock - not enough support on the knobs. When the Dissector gets worn - it gets really scary.
@@LoveMTB We have an area here that has tons of rock. A worn rear dissector basically broke loose on me after the side knobs collapsed on an outsloped slab feature. Never again - never again....
awesome review as always!!! I'm with you 100% on the assegai"s no more sketchy space between the side knobs like on the dhf's...The only thing I don't like about the assegai is the name...
I have two sets of Wheelsets , one has Maxxis Tires 2.5 Assegai / 2.4 Dissector. Second wheelset has 2.6 Schwalbe Magic Marry / Hans Dampf . I honestly to find the Schwalbe’s more responsive and I get more feedback on the trail than the Maxxis. Even though the two Wheelset’s have also similar Characteristics I also tend to find the Schwalbe’s to Roll faster.
Been riding only 1 yr and recently replaced a Butcher and Eliminator, both 2.6 with Trail casing, with Assagai, 2.6 Maxxgrip and DHR ll, 2.5. Maxxterra, both EXO+. Have slightly more grip front and rear, but also less feel for the grd. Not real vague, just more dampened than the Butcher which was already very smooth riding. This new combo is definitely slower rolling as I now pedal down very slight inclines that I use to accelerate down. The bike actually decelerates even with the weight of an ebike pushing the tires. I couldn't believe when that happened. Don't like this and it's only tolerable cuz I have help from a motor. On the plus side, my Levo doesn't take off going downhills as quickly as before, so it's more controllable and less scary for this new rider, but I also lose momentum quickly when the trail turns up hill, so it's more work on undulating trails, although safer too. Increasing psi helps it to roll better, but the ride becomes rougher. Has anyone compared the Maxxgrip to the Maxxterra on the Assagai? Does it roll noticeable faster, more like a Butcher with Trail casing? I love the Butcher. It has great grip, dampening and grd feel, but wouldn't mind more grip. Maxxgrip is great on steeper runs but is too draggy for me at other times, even with a motor to help.
One of the most popular trail tire!, haven’t try it yet, but I have read a lot of good reviews. Currently using the Maxxis Ardent 2.4 in my Giant Trance.
The Only Tire I Run On my CF Warden DD MG 2.50 27.5 Same as My CF DEMO8 Definitely the Best Mt Bike Tire I Know Of Does Everything Amazing 80 percent of DH Rental Bikes In Whistler Run Assegai F/R GUESS Why ..... I Live Ride Vancouver/ Whistler and Have Over 40000km of Off Road Experience . RUN 23psi . SIMPLY Amazing been on 2 Wheels since 1968 I know What im Talking About
@@LoveMTB Definitely The Assegai is the Only Tire i will be buying in seot i did 51 Cycles at Whistler about 150 trails 6 Days . They Preformed Without Issue Made Going FAST FUN 😎 Hit 65kmh on the Warden 😀
The grip of the Assegai is amazing. Didn't find any tire that comes close. Just that finding one that does not wobble, might be a challnege these days.
I've always had problems with maxxis going flat. I ran dhr/dhf, holy rollers, high rollers, hookworms and grifters in the past and always got flats. I've seen good deals on them on bike inn tho and thought about giving them a try again.
For my type of riding and my local rides I went from Maxxis minion DHR II / DHF to Rekon / Disector for my tallboy. I will be switching my Hightower to the same set up. My new yeti sb140 is getting the same. I don’t need a heavier tire. I will be switching to Continental tires as I prefer tires handmade in Germany ( road I have been riding for 16+ years on continental Grand Prix 4000 now 5000). I notice the tires from Maxxis are not well made (balanced). I think the Continental tires are under rated. To my opinion Continental makes fantastic tires.
Those Maxxis tires look great on the Prone😊. I run the Minion and really like them for my style of riding. That trail you rode looks amazing . Thanks again
Nice review, i think Maxxis tires run smaller than Schwalbe and Continental, i have tested DHRII 29x2.6 and it is measured as 2.5, the DHRII 29x2.4WT is actually 2.3
A lot talk about how slow rolling the Assegai is but I find that I can actually ride much faster with it because the grip is so reliable. It still is however a bit tough to pedal compared to like a Dissector
I still keep buying maxxis , mainly due to availability. However I’m over how the tire deforms (karcus breaks) so easy when installing with a tire insert and you end up getting tire wobble. My son run dissector (DD) on the rear and ass exo+ up front. I run dhr2 DD max terra on rear and ass DD max grip up front. I’ve noticed the dissector tread tears apart easily compared the the DHR2
I’ve been running the same Assegai EXO+ for 2 years on my Ripmo here in New England. Mega grip, still. Just when I think some off-camber wet roots are going to wash me out, it holds - and for middle-aged me the security of not eating it is worth the weight. I’ve run Dissector and DHR II out back - may try the new Forekaster next?
Have a old 2015 Giant Reign Advanced which I've been overhauling for the past few months, had 27,5x2.35 DHF 3C MaxTerra on the front and High Roller on the back. I could never get over the DHF float zone, it doesn't give me confidence, what tyre combination would you recommend for a xc/trail build? With predictable cornering and good rolling resistance? Cheers
@@troymortimer3487 I get that and you're right! It's slower but very grippy. I don't blast, just carve. All good bro, stay safe so you can keep shredding! Aloha!
Worst rolling resistance I've ever had on the front wheel. Felt like a third disk brake 🤣 and it drained my battery like hell. Changed it for a Maxxis DHF and couldn't be happier! Guys if you just ride "normal" trails and not steep dh, don't get the Assegai!
I’ve heard the Assegai is noticeably better at cornering than the DHF, but none of the friends who have told me that were able to quantify why. Did you find that? If so, do you have any ideas or opinions why they are better at cornering than the DHF?
What psi do you have on the maxxis assegai 29I’ve got these on the front and aggressor 29 what would this need to be the correct psi on and off the road.
I got bontranger tires on 2 bikes. rocket rons on another bike which are 2 XC for me but it came that way so liking the nobby nic better. but I do have a Rekon 2.8 in the rear on a 40 id rim and actually liking it. I tried the dissector thats a good tire but never tried the Assegai yet. Cheers
@@LoveMTB right now just the stock bontrager GR1's the bike came with not 100% sold on them. been eyeing up the WTB resolute. I just got a donnelly emp as a space I will try. what do you use?
@@LoveMTB Great grip in wet conditions and on roots.. big betty in the rear slips on wet rocks though. Maybe I could play with tyre pressure more. Both clear mud well. 1.25 & 1.15kg respectively for mm/bb in super trail addix soft. Both mm/bb measure 2.4 at the knobs with 29mm internal width, apparently the 2.6 mm needs rims with wider internal width to get to 2.6
Hi just wanna ask is a tubeless tire lighter that a wired one. It's just that I'm an XC Rider so lighter is better so i'm using a Ardent Race 29x2.20 wired is the tubeless version lighter?
@@LoveMTB Cool. Only made one trip there and didn't ride enough. I want to hit wolverine before the season ends and we head back to USA. Funny, the fire road climb back to the top had me wishing I owned an ebike🤣
@@LoveMTB no, not yet. Want to get to st Raymond before I run out of time too. We are staying next to MSA and have been riding that and Le Massif pretty regularly. QC riding is so good!!
Don’t snooze on the Vittoria Mazza. It’s as good or better than a DHR out back, but it feels noticeably heavy even in your hand. (I have not weighed it). DHF is a grippy, decent rolling front tire,and even becomes predictable once you get used to the transition point of the tread pattern. I think where you give up smoother stability with a DHF you gain in ability to shed soil/mud so effectively it is more predictable being more likely to not collect soil, and the opposite being true with Assegai with tighter knob spacing. There is no difference in the astronomical pricing of any Maxxis tire, though! 😮
Agreed totally. Absolute overkill for just about everything. Yet, the only sort of thing you can find at shops on the hooks. Lower, tighter spaced tread and lighter tires on terrain that is anything but strolling around on flat ground and zero problems.
I can not imagine picking this tire to ride anywhere, and certainly not in the examples that you have shown. I don't mean any offense to you personally by saying that. It has just gotten ridiculous in that these are the sort of tires that 95% of the riding population is putting on their bikes, and they are just purely overkill (and overweight) for 95% of where they're used. You can't go into a shop to see anything but these types of tires on the hooks these days. If anything, in most cases, they aren't helping with skill, they're dumbing it down, and giving the rider a sense that their turning prowess is something it's not. Not to mention, increased wear on the trail from the more aggressive tread. Not a fan, at all.
@@LoveMTB I think that's largely what it is in some form or another/ mix of the two, combined with riders thinking they actually 'need' these. Overkill, and just pure sickening that they've become what's largely available. Industry needs a reset.
Totally agree, folks be using DH tires on XC riding, LOL. I use Rekons both 2.6 and 2.25 and are great. Even in chunk on my 150/140 trail bike. My current bike Privateer141 came with MagicMary and HansKemfp and I think those are overkill for trail riding.
@@TheBarnaby25 I actually don’t agree, people should buy the best gear and equipment they can afford, overkill? So what, as long as they don’t break the bank. Riding bike or playing any kinds of sports is to have fun, developing skills? Sure, that’s a side effect, we all have our day job and family to take care of, we don’t live in the trails or trying to win gold medals. if we develop a skill that’s awesome. But if we can spend our hard earned money to make us feel good and enjoy a sport in a slightly higher and more exhilarating level with minimal practice required, why the heck not. For some one works 40+ hours and have kids and family to take care and only maybe 3-5 hours to play, they deserve to have some fancy gears to feel less exhausted from life and work
@@DaBinCheI use DH tires on XC, so I might not be the fastest, but get worked out in the shorter amount of time(because I don’t have infinite of those), i also used to ride XC trail with enduro bike and smash all the technical section with only months of cycling experience, it feels good and that’s enough for me. I have day job and family to take care of, not aiming to spend 5 hours+/day 7days/week to polishing my riding skills to win the uci, I just want to have fun when I get free from life, so I buy the fanciest gear to do that with minimal practice. Is there anything wrong with it? Or Ppl who have a jobs don’t deserve to enjoy life with the money they earn?
@@karlxu782 This is such a rambling rant of logical fallacy and outright stupid equivalency. I don't care that you disagree. What I care about is that the only tires that can be found at literally any shop are these sorts of OVERKILL tires. Nothing else. And that's because the industry is catering to the Dunning Kruger syndrome riders that they've been dead set on creating by narrowing what's made to satisfy BEGINNERS and then minimizing much of what they used to produce as alternatives. The rest of your qualifying reasoning as to why you think you need DH tires on an XC bike are just bogus. You've listed proximity to trails, time, not chasing gold medals, thinking you're smashing tech and having family amongst other sprinkled in whining as reasons to why you felt even a remote need to have anything to say about my post. Essentially, you're a terrible rider that needs crutches, and you got triggered and wrote a couple books to me and @DaBinChe with qualifying excuses to out yourself. You really should have just scrolled past. By the way, I have a strenuous job, a family, my 15 year old kid is a national champ, I've been riding for 30 years. Run what you want and keep your insipid excuses to yourself.