FORCE XC COMPETITION LINE vs High Roller II review

In this entry we are going to compare and review Michelin FORCE XC COMPETITION LINE vs Maxxis High Roller II tyres. Both manufactured by different brands, Michelin and Maxxis respectively, these tyres have been designed to be used for different purposes. Whilst Michelin FORCE XC COMPETITION LINE is better for mtb activities, Maxxis High Roller II is a great choice if your needs are more aligned to mountain activities.

FORCE XC COMPETITION LINE

High Roller II

Thanks to GUM-X3D technology which is a combination of three special rubbers: an outer traction compound, a Race Compound base layer and a special side grip compound

The most agile cross-country tire for a competition use

Aggressive tread for loose conditions

Thanks to GUM-X3D technology which is a combination of three special rubbers: an outer traction compound, a Race Compound base layer and a special side grip compound

The Maxxis High Roller II uses an open and aggressive tread design intended to find traction in loose conditions. A large channel between the the center knobs and side knobs provides a looser, drifty feel desired by some riders.

Features

Single compound, dual compound, 3C MaxxTerra, 3C MaxxGrip, and Super Tacky options
60 TPI, DoubleDown (2×120 TPI), or Downhill (2×60 TPI) casing options
Wide Trail (WT) sizes are optimized for 35mm inner width rims
Select specs are Tubeless Ready (TR), confirm in table below

Usage

cross country

Usage

Trail

Enduro

Downhill

Technologies

3C MaxxTerra An intermediate compound configuration used in select mountain tires. 3C MaxxTerra is softer and offers more traction than 3C MaxxSpeed, yet provides better treadwear and less rolling resistance than MaxxGrip.
3C MaxxGrip 3C MaxxGrip uses the softest rubber compounds to offer the ultimate in grip and slow rebound properties for unparalleled traction in downhill applications.
Wide Trail Wide Trail (WT) construction optimizes the tire’s tread layout and profile on today’s modern, wider rims. Traditional tires are designed around older, narrower rims and can create an overly square tire profile, leading to less than optimal performance. WT tires are optimized for a 35mm inner rim width but are proven to work over a range from 30-35mm inner rim widths, depending on the rider’s preference. Maxxis Wide Trail XC tires are optimized for use with 30mm internal width rims, but they will perform well on rims as narrow as 25mm. Maxxis does not recommend rims wider than 30mm or narrower than 25mm
Tubeless Ready Tubeless tires provide the rider with many benefits: the ability to run lower air pressures, which improves traction; lower rolling resistance when compared to a tube-type tire; and less chance of flatting because there is no tube. Liquid sealants should only be used in the following types of tires: tubeless road, tubular, and tubeless ready. The use of liquid sealants in any other Maxxis tire will void the warranty.
EXO An extremely cut-resistant and abrasion-resistant material added to the sidewalls of select mountain tires. This densely woven fabric is also lightweight and highly flexible, ensuring that the performance of the tire remains unaffected. Choose EXO Protection for exceptionally rocky, treacherous trails where the chance of sidewall cuts and abrasions is high.
Downhill (DH) Two layers of casing material are used from bead to bead, providing additional protection and sidewall stiffness for downhill applications.
Double Down (DD) DoubleDown (DD) is the next step in the evolution of the dual-ply tire casing for enduro racing. Two 120 TPI casing layers reinforced with a butyl insert provide the enduro racer with the support and protection of a downhill tire, but in a lighter package.

Specifications

26

Part #: TB73307000
Size: 26X2.30 ETRTO: 58-559 TPI: 60 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 804 Compound: DUAL Max PSI: 60 Tech: EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

Part #: TB73307100
Size: 26X2.30 ETRTO: 58-559 TPI: 60 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 846 Compound: 3C MAXXTERRA Max PSI: 60 Tech: 3C/EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

27.5

Part #: TB85923000
Size: 27.5X2.30 ETRTO: 58-584 TPI: 60 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 834 Compound: DUAL Max PSI: 60 Tech: EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

Part #: TB85923100
Size: 27.5X2.30 ETRTO: 58-584 TPI: 60 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 878 Compound: 3C MAXXTERRA Max PSI: 60 Tech: 3C/EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

Part #: TB91052100
Size: 27.5X2.40 ETRTO: 61-584 TPI: 60 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 926 Compound: 3C MAXXTERRA Max PSI: 60 Tech: 3C/EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

Part #: TB85983000
Size: 27.5X2.50WT ETRTO: 63-584 TPI: 60 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 966 Compound: 3C MAXXTERRA Max PSI: 50 Tech: 3C/EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

Part #: TB85983100
Size: 27.5X2.50WT ETRTO: 63-584 TPI: 120X2 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 1151 Compound: 3C MAXXTERRA Max PSI: 50 Tech: 3C/DD/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

Part #: TB00055100
Size: 27.5X2.60 ETRTO: 66-584 TPI: 120 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 929 Compound: 3C MAXXTERRA Max PSI: 40 Tech: 3C/EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

Part #: TB96910100
Size: 27.5X2.80 ETRTO: 71-584 TPI: 60 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 941 Compound: DUAL Max PSI: 35 Tech: EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: FAT BIKE/PLUS TIRES

Part #: TB96910000
Size: 27.5X2.80 ETRTO: 71-584 TPI: 120 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 919 Compound: 3C MAXXTERRA Max PSI: 35 Tech: 3C/EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: FAT BIKE/PLUS TIRES

29

Part #: TB96769000
Size: 29X2.30 ETRTO: 58-622 TPI: 60 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 899 Compound: DUAL Max PSI: 60 Tech: EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

Part #: TB96769100
Size: 29X2.30 ETRTO: 58-622 TPI: 60 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 945 Compound: 3C MAXXTERRA Max PSI: 60 Tech: 3C/EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

Part #: TB96803000
Size: 29X2.50WT ETRTO: 63-622 TPI: 60 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 1038 Compound: 3C MAXXTERRA Max PSI: 50 Tech: 3C/EXO/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN

Part #: TB96803100
Size: 29X2.50WT ETRTO: 63-622 TPI: 120X2 Bead: FOLDABLE Weight (g): 1236 Compound: 3C MAXXTERRA Max PSI: 50 Tech: 3C/DD/TR Color: BLACK Application: MOUNTAIN