Front and Rear MTB Tire Combinations by Brand: Maxxis, Michelin, Pirelli, Schwalbe
Running the same tire front and rear is simple, but most mountain bike tires are designed with a job in mind. The front tire steers and brakes, so it needs grip you can trust in corners. The rear tire drives and brakes too, but it also does most of the rolling, so a faster or more durable tread often makes sense. Below are the front/rear combinations recommended by Maxxis, Michelin, Pirelli and Schwalbe, plus a few proven pairings our riders ask for. Prefer to choose by riding style? See our front and rear tire combinations by riding style.
Buy 2 or more items and get extra savings with code PAIR5 at checkout. Or shop our ready-made front/rear tire combos: extra savings applied automatically at checkout.
Maxxis
| Front | Rear | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Minion DHF | Minion DHR II | Aggressive trail and enduro. Maxxis calls it the ultimate aggressive trail combo. Shop the combo |
| Minion DHF or Assegai | Aggressor | Dry, hard and rocky terrain. The Aggressor is a durable, fast rolling rear. Shop the combo: DHF + Aggressor or Assegai + Aggressor |
| Assegai | Minion DHR II | Enduro and technical terrain with maximum grip. Shop the combo |
| Dissector | Forekaster or Rekon | Fast trail riding in dry conditions. Maxxis recommends the Dissector up front on 130 to 140 mm trail bikes. Shop the combo: Dissector + Forekaster or Dissector + Rekon |
| Assegai or Minion DHF | Dissector | Fast enduro. Maxxis rates the Dissector as a fast rear tire on 150 mm+ bikes. |
| Forekaster | Rekon or Ikon | Downcountry and light trail, mixed conditions. |
| Rekon | Rekon Race | Technical XC. Maxxis designs the Rekon Race as a rear for a more aggressive front. |
| High Roller III | Minion DHR II | Enduro on loose, dusty and changing terrain. |
| Aspen | Aspen | XC racing, maximum speed. |
| Shorty | Shorty | Deep mud and very loose terrain. Maxxis recommends it front and rear. |
Michelin
| Front | Rear | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Wild AM2 Competition | Force AM2 Competition | All mountain. Michelin says a Wild at the front and a Force at the rear is the preferred choice of high level riders. Shop the combo |
| Wild Enduro MH Racing Line or MS Racing Line | Wild Enduro Rear Racing Line | Enduro racing. MH for mixed and hard terrain, MS for soft terrain. Also available with dark sidewalls (MH DK, MS DK, Rear DK). |
| Wild Enduro MH Performance Line or MS Performance Line | Wild Enduro Rear Performance Line | Enduro and trail riding with more durability. |
| E-Wild Racing Line Front | E-Wild Racing Line Rear | E-MTB, racing level grip. |
| E-Wild Performance Line Front | E-Wild Performance Line Rear | E-MTB, durability for everyday riding. |
Pirelli
Pirelli codes its Scorpion tires by terrain: S for soft, M for mixed, H for hard, and R for rear specific.
| Front | Rear | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Scorpion Enduro M | Scorpion Enduro R | Enduro. Pirelli calls the Enduro R the perfect rear when paired with an Enduro M up front. Shop the combo |
| Scorpion XC M | Scorpion XC R | Cross country, mixed terrain. |
Schwalbe
| Front | Rear | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Racing Ray | Racing Ralph | XC racing. Schwalbe designed the Racing Ray as the front wheel specialist for the Racing Ralph. Shop the combo |
| Tough Tom | Rapid Rob | Everyday MTB and recreational riding. |
| Magic Mary (Trail Pro, Gravity) | Big Betty | Enduro and gravity. Big Betty works on the rear combined with Magic Mary. |
| Nobby Nic or Magic Mary | Wicked Will | Trail with more downhill focus. |
| Wicked Will | Racing Ralph | Fast XC combination. |
| Albert Ultra Soft | Albert Soft | Trail (Albert Trail Pro) or gravity (Albert Gravity Pro). Schwalbe suggests the softer compound up front. |
Tires made for both wheels
These are designed to work front or rear, so running a matching pair is a safe choice: Maxxis Minion DHX, Maxxis Dissector, Maxxis Forekaster, Schwalbe Romy, Michelin Wild XC, Michelin Force XC2 and the Michelin DH22 and DH16 downhill tires.
Mullet setups
Running a 29" front and a 27.5" rear? Most of our front/rear combos are also available in mullet sizes (29" front, 27.5" rear, same width).
Quick tips
- Put the grippiest tire up front. Losing the front in a corner is harder to save than a sliding rear.
- Match casings to your riding. A heavier rear casing protects against pinch flats and rim strikes.
- Check your frame and fork clearance before going wider.
Need help choosing? Contact us through the chat and we will recommend the right pair for your bike and trails.
➤ Fix It whit Park Tool
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