[Rynamite]

Well first I'd like to say awesome site. This is my first post... but I've been lurking around for awhile trying to learn a few things.

I got my set of Fire XC Pro's last night via UPS. I ordered them from pricepoint for $34.98 for the set. I figured I had nothing to lose for that price. I just got back from my first ride this morning and I must say they are a good tire. I was riding on some pretty hilly, rocky, rooty, loose sandy soil. (We can't figure out why it's sandy... I live in the middle of Pennsylvania.) Anyway... The first test they got was speed. To get to where I ride I take a flat, hardpacked dirt road. I was pleased at how fast they are. The next point in the ride was a pretty steep climb with lots of rocks and roots. There were times when I was sure I was going to spin out and lose traction... but these tires stuck it out. They did especially well in the loose stuff that used to give me trouble. After I hit the apex... it's a downhill singletrack with a lot of switchbacks and some pretty loose soil and loose rocks. I took the turns pretty fast to see how the tires would handle them. They seem like they pushed for a split second and then they'd bite and go right around the turn. Only once did they fail me, and I have some trailrash on my leg to show for it.... I'm not sure if any tire would have taken that turn though. I won't be able to comment on how they do in wet/muddy conditions until we get some more rain. I hear that's where the weak spot is with these tires... but we'll see.

All in all I am very please with these tires. I recommend them to anyone looking for a good XC tire at a good price.

 

[bagofdonuts43]

Those tires do pretty good for flat protection also. I personally don't like tires with striaght side blocks for cornering. I can corner and feel the edge of the tire biting but you push past that point and bye-bye....

I'm a Ritchey tire fan myself. Used those for about 6 years now. Can really go full speed ahead into the turns and feel that sucker BITE. Love it!

Had a friend who had those tires and he said the same thing about wet riding with those Panaracers, yikes...

 

[mtnbikej]

Here in So. Cal. those are very popular tires. I Have been running them for several years. More than anything, I used them for a rear tire these days.

mtnbikej

 

[Meat Foot]

I won't be able to comment on how they do in wet/muddy conditions until we get some more rain.

Yes a great tire for most things but the wet (as you have already heard). They do pack up and take a while to shed the cr@p. I like them a lot in the dry hard pack, loose topsoil/pine needles, and small gravel. Anything bigger like baby heads and what not I like the big brother Panaracer Fire 2.4 FR. It is a nice front with the 2.1 in the rear or a 2.25 Cinder in front. Oh, only pinch flatted the 2.1 once in 2.5 years, and I have had the same set on the bike for a long time. I switch back and forth between wet weather tires and the Fires.

Cheers!

 

[AustinM]

i use to ride fire xc's, switched to specialized roll-x, lighter quicker, better grip in the wet. Just as nice in the loose. Nice tires though

 

[Tenchiro]

I have ridden alot of the Fire XC's and but I like the Fire FR's even better. They seem a bit more sure footed but still pedal nicely.

 

[JRogers]

Fire XCs are a bit too hard compound with knobs that are a bit too small and close together to be of much use in the wet. I used them for quite a while. Solid choice, can be had pretty cheaply. Flat protection was so-so in my experience. I don't think I'd use them again, though. I've been using Conti Vertical Pro 2.3s for over a year and they seem to be an improvement.

 

[bluebug32]

I just a pair of these on my bike. My initial impression was that they worked really well for climbing on loose dirt/gravel. I haven't done much fast, tight cornering yet or ridden in wet mud, but I've been impressed so far. For a price, they're a great deal.

 

[Tenchiro]

I ride in the wet with them quite a bit and they seem to be ok. They do get a bit sketchy on slick roots but if you are prepared for it, they do ok.