Panaracer Fire XC Pros

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Product: Panaracer Fire XC Pro MTB tube-type tires, folding bead. Configuration: 26 x 2.1. Actual width: 46.5 mm (1.83”) across the casing; 51.8 mm (2.04”) across the outer knobs. Test Platform: Kona Dawg Primo and Sette Riddick. Reviewed by: Rich Ries. Cost: $40 MSRP unknown; typical street/online price under $25. Mass (weight): 660 g. (1 lb. 7.3 oz.) actual. Recommended? Yes.

Executive Summary: Excellent all-around tire that's 4-season suitable.

Ratings

(1 is lowest, 5 is highest)

Comments

Traction

Can pack up with muck

Acceleration

A little quicker than similar tires from other manufacturers

Cost/Value

About average but watch for even better sale prices

This is the second full season for these tires and they continue to impress me. The only traction issue is that they can pack up with mud. They're not terrible at that; the characteristic is only worth mentioning because they have no other traction shortcomings. Wear has been about average, given that some of that great traction comes from a relatively soft compound. Not one-season, racer soft, but not as durable as some other tires. Ride quality is good. I typically ride 2.3-inch tires, maybe a little wider in summer and maybe a little narrower in winter. The Fire XC Pros' width of just over two inches coupled with their excellent traction make these among my all-time favorite winter tires. Just be aware that they cling to mud a little more tightly than their Cinder brethren (which are reviewed here.)

The Fire XC Pros benefit from ASB - Anti Snake Bite chafer - which is supposed to reduce the likelihood of a snake bite flat by an average of 40 percent. These are not tubeless tires. I run the front at about 22 psi and the back at about 24 psi. No snake-bites. But then I never snake bite even when running pressures lower than these on other 2.3-inch tires, so I'll stop short of giving Panaracer the credit. I've had no flats, which may be due to the inclusion of BAX Tire Tech, Panaracer's high-density cord that's woven into the casing. BAX is supposed to reduce the risk of damage from cuts and abrasion. The Fires have seen plenty of sharp rocks in their tenure and so far - no cuts.

If you're looking for good all-around tires that offer above-average performance, Fire XC Pros are a good choice.

Fire XC Pros are available with steel or Aramid (folding) beads in 26 x 1.8" and 26 x 2.1” sizes. Other Fire models are available for UST (tubeless), muddy, free ride, downhill, and cyclocross applications.

Note: if I took any photos of these tires when they came out of the box I've lost those pix. Everything here is shot after many miles of riding. So here's a tread shot from the Panaracer Web site just so you know what the new knobs look like.

Sorry for the lo-res. That's the Web for ya.

These well-worn Fire XC Pros still grab the trail.

Despite their tired appearance, these Fire XC Pros are still providing very good traction and reliable handling.

Fire XC Pros have nicely rounded profiles.

The round profile makes cornering smooth and predictable with no jarring transitions from upright to heeled-over and back again.

The strong side knobs give good cornering.

The side knobs are well-supported for squirm-free cornering.