The Fast Trak Pro tire was designed specifically for the world’s premier mountain bike racers. Its exceptional light weight, low rolling resistance, and large volume combine to make this the fastest cross country tire on earth. Its tightly-spaced center tread with ramped edges guarantee speed, while wellspacedshoulder knobs and the large cornering footprint guarantee traction.
Submitted by
JAKE61
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2009
Strengths: Above average in hardpack, granite, degraded granite caliche. This tire hasn't let me down yet. I run fairly high pressures on dual suspension yet they grip very well on local trails at higher speeds. No rock pinches so far in rock gardens. Smooth, light, and fast with good controllability on granite,caliche, and hardpack. Seems to be wearing well too. I may buy these again as I really have no complaints so far.
Weaknesses: None experienced so far.
Bottom Line:
This tire will serve well for riders that can go fast without pounding rocks(pick good lines)too hard. Fairly light sidewalls-Look for heavier sidewalls if you're gonna pound alot of rocks/drops/roots, etc(just perception here). I like it!
Similar Products Used: Specialized ground control, crossroads, GEAX Sedona
Bike Setup: K-2 1000, Noleen 80mm front(Smart Fork/Noleen Nitrogen rear, deore LX Groupo, Avid, HD tubes w/slime & kevlar
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Leeroy876
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol, UK
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2009
Strengths: Fast, Rolls very well on hard pack, gravel, and light mud. High volume, comfortable, controlable when it does break away, even in deep mud. durable, has lasted two years.
Weaknesses: thin side walls, low puncture resistance,
Bottom Line:
This is a very good tire for the right conditions, those using it outside of its intended cross-country/race use, are always going to find it unsuitable. I've found this tyre excellent value, for such a fast, grippy and controllable product. It does suffer from pinch flats, but then its thin sidewalls and XC intentions mean it was never really ment to meet them that often. The dual compound works well, with the centre knobs being very quick even on tarmac, but a bit more puncture protection would be nice.
Bike Setup: 2005 Kona Cindercone, Rockshox Revelation 426 coil, Hayes HFX, Easton Bars
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
b4dboy
a Weekend Warrior
from Devon, England
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2008
Strengths: very low weight, high volume, dual compound, fast rolling, exceptional longevity!
Weaknesses: pinch punctures, dry and hardpack trail use only
Bottom Line:
a very good tyre for summer trail riding or winter road training. rolls really well on hardpack and dry trails but can loose grip on really mucky stuff. it is a very 'tuneable' tyre in so far as you can mess around with pressures and stick in heavier gauge inner tube if you need to. I wouldn't recommend it for heavier riders or those who can't finesse a bike down a trail, however if your looking for a race day tyre or something to put on your summer rig then you really cannot do better for the price. (If you have actually tried these on a freeride or agressive full susser and though they were CR*P then don't bother reviewing them as CR*P cos it ain't helpful! That is not what they were designed for!)
Submitted by
Stephen G
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2008
Strengths: Low rolling resistance
Weaknesses: This tire is a pain in my butt. As a front tire I don't have too much to complain about but as a rear tire its terrible. It doesn't clear mud at all, the side knobs are far too soft for cornering (powerslides on a bike are not welcome), and it constantly pinch-flats on rocks and roots.
Bottom Line:
I hate these tires. I have had too many rides interrupted or cut short because of this tire. I am sure its great for some conditions but apparently I don't ride them, maybe you need to be a smaller rider, I am 230lbs and had to keep the pressure on these tires well above 40psi. I switched back to an old pair of maxxis calibos and was much happier.
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2007
Strengths: Light, look pretty good.
Weaknesses: Jittery around corners, tend to slide a lot (front and back).
Bottom Line:
Ever since using these tires I have wiped out about 3 times on the front. Before these tires, I hadn't done that for a long time. I just don't trust them at speed around corners. And when they decide to go, they go fast! (ie. all you remember is picking yourself up off the ground!).
These are definitely no good for loose gravelly conditions. They are fine going fast on fireroads, but are crap on single track - very jittery.
Submitted by
Simon
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, California, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2007
Strengths: Light weight
Weaknesses: Easy to get a flat tire, side wall edge reinforcement peels off tire wall after 1 1/2 years of light use.
Bottom Line:
I use this bike often for commuting on Southern California's crumbling streets. They are light and handle o.k., but after a year and a half and about 1000 miles mostly on roads, the side wall reinforcing strips are separating from the rest of the tire both on the front and back tires. I keep them at 80-85 psi and I suspect they cannot really be kept at that high a pressure for that long without things separating. I have ridden off road around a dozen times with these things, and I was not that impressed with them. The traction in wet or sandy conditions is not that good. Riding in the infrequent California rain on the street was o.k. with enough traction, but they do clog with mud easily on the trail and then lose traction easily. Very frustrating to have tires that are no where near worn out be rendered unusably by side walls that are peeling apart.
Submitted by
Steve Goneau
a Weekend Warrior
from Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2007
Strengths: Light weight and fast
Weaknesses: Terrible in the mud and weak on cornering.
Bottom Line:
These tires came stock and I found they ran well for the first month or two. Went out riding after a rainfall and they turned out to be terrible in the mud, they were not shedding the mud and I was sliding around all over the place. Lately I have found that the lugs on the sides of the tires are just not strong enough to hold on hard corners especially with speed. Maybe its because I am a fairly big and heavy rider but I am not impressed at all. Riding hardpack at 30km/h and having a feeling of your backtire sliding sideways is pretty scary at times. As for sand, it sucks! I want my Panaracer Dart back. Already switching my old Calibos back on for time being.
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2007
Strengths: Fast on gravel, hard pack, and fire roads.
Weaknesses: These are not all weather tires! They have absolutely no grip in even light mud! They cannot hold their own on anything technical like rocks or roots.
Bottom Line:
If you only ride on hard pack, concrete, or gravel then these are the tires for you. They are by far the fastest mountain bike tires for concrete I have ever used. But if you are a weekend warrior and ride rain or shine and technical single track then keep looking!
Submitted by
Merlion
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2007
Strengths: Light weight and road riding.
Weaknesses: NO traction when turning. No traction on roots.
Bottom Line:
Front washed out under me on 2 runs out of three, was under able to clip out and got nasty bruises and scratches. FYI, I am not an aggresive x-cty rider! Have to be so cautious when turning in on single tracks, and it takes the fun out of riding. So, I have already ordered my pair of Fire XC Pro to bring some confidence back to my riding.
Strengths: Low rolling resistance Light weight Corners well on smoother trails
Weaknesses: Made for racing smooth XC Flat resistance throws up a lot of small rocks and debris Absolutely suck in Sand
Bottom Line:
I should have asked my LBS to trade out these tires for the Specilaized Roll-X. The Fast Traks are made for racing and riding groomed trails. Tried to lower tire pressure for more traction but got pinch flatted. You need to be a very good bike handler to ride these tires on rooty and wet trails. I absolutely did not like them in sandy trails. If you race well groomed trails, you may like the Fast Trak. Hence the good 3 star rating. It is too much of a racing tire than a good all-arounder so 2 stars for value.
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from North Shore Boston
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2007
Strengths: Light, foldable, super easy on and off, fast rolling. Great on rock surfaces and dry and wet trails. Tune these babies to your riding style with large volume. They do look good on your wheels!
Weaknesses: Not for every condition, meant to be a hard-pack racer.
Bottom Line:
I initially gave these a shot b/c I'm a bit of a Specialized loyalist. Smooth rolling on my road ride to the trails. Large volume lets you vary the pressures for different riding styles and conditions. Soft compound tread grips really well on dirt and rock surfaces. Soupy mud may pose a problem, but with the pressure set right, these shoes will go about anywhere. Be aware of pinch flat risks with the pressure down around 30-35. All in all, I feel confident whipping through corners, climbing and descending. Like any adjustable component, tune them to your riding conditions. They aren't going to ride that much different then similar tires in its class.
Strengths: Fantastic in the turns, light weight, Large volume for your hardtail
Weaknesses: none yet
Bottom Line:
These tires seem to be getting a bad rap. I did a back to back comparison with a new set of Velociraptors and there was no question that these things hook up really good in the corners and everywhere else. I'm having a hard time adjusting my riding style. My mind says break for the turns but the tires say don't. Get a pair
