Dannihilator

Going to separate each into categories: Tire weight, Traction, Tire stability, overall performance, tire wear and cost. Both sets were set to the same psi and are similar durometers.

Round 1: Tire weight: There is a big difference between tire weights, the minions are pigs weight wise, while the bontragers are light. This will eventually come back to bite the Big Early Square on the rear. If you are not concerned about weight it doesn't matter, if you are concerned about weight then advantage: Big Earls

Round 2: Traction: While the Big Earls do grip well, the minions blow them out of the water in the traction department. I was able to accelerate alot harder with the minions when under the same hard acceleration the big earls break loose. Advantage: Minions

Round 3: Tire stability: When cornering you can feel the big earls folding, Minions felt sturdy. Advantage: Minions

Round 4: Tire wear. Wore the Big Earls out after 4 shuttle runs. The 42 compound that Bontrager used is softer than the 42 Maxxis uses. Advantage: Minions

Round 5: Cost: The bontragers are $28 dollars cheaper than the Minions. Advantage:Big Earls

Overall:The Big Earls a decent tire but remember you also pay for the downfalls as well and the Minions are nowhere perfect as well. But I did have more overall consistent runs witrh the minions. So overall my nod goes to the minions.

swifferman

What are shuttle runs? And holy jaheebus, if you wear out tires that fast you probably use $500 a year in tires alone!

Maelstrom 

Its not uncommon for a dhiller to burn through enough tread on tires in one or two days, to make them useless. 20 to 1 he has enough tread left to still sell them to an average rider. (mine become useless at 60% or so tread)

snoopz666

shuttle runs are when you get a ride to the trail head. and then when you get to the bottom you get a shuttle(truck van whatever) back to the top again