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.
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.