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Submitted by
derailin_palin
a Cross Country Rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Foothills, Skeggs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Low rolling resistance, great in hardpack | | Weaknesses: | Sketchy on dusty or sandy hardpack | | Bike Setup: | FS rig, 6" travel front/rear | | Bottom Line: | This is for the 2.1" Dart.
The good: Rolls light and fast.
The bad: It's fairly narrow and sits up high, and the ridged tread point up like a flattop haircut, giving the tire a square profile on the side. This makes for a sketchy feeling in dry, sandy conditions. The more you lean into a turn, the more those vertical knobs deform and squirm out of the way.
I've had this tire for 5 months, riding the same trail day in and out in wet and dry conditions - wet to moist, it does great. But for dry conditions it's too sketchy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AndrwSwitch
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | St. Ed's, so far | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | holds a line really well, low rolling resistance | | Weaknesses: | it's a little low-volume for a 2.1", can pack with mud, can get a little sketchy off-camber, sits a little funny on wide rims (22mm internal width) | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos XC front, Specialized Resolution | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Hardrock with a Manitou R7 fork and stock wheels, Panaracer Smoke on the back | | Bottom Line: | This tire was a huge upgrade! It holds a line much better than the Specialized Resolutions that came on the bike, in everything I've thrown at them. They also roll better, though, and that's pretty awesome. I inflate mine to 25 psi (I'm 145 lbs) and haven't pinch-flatted yet. 20 made me nervous. I've had them on concrete, dry hardpack, mud, wet leaves, snow, ice, slimy wet roots, etc.
On concrete, they're a little more comfortable ride than a lot of knobbies. On dry hardpack, they're pretty kickass. Panaracer says that's what they're for. I felt like they might have been a little slower on concrete than the Resolutions, but they grip and roll much better in every off-road circumstance I've had both tires in.
In the mud, you need to be a little careful. I've found that they can pack up and don't shed very well at low speeds. Before you start that muddy descent, make sure you're comfortable with finishing it, because they may not stop you. I've never had a crash because of this, but I can imagine it being more of a problem on a long, sketchy downhill. Snow can pack them up too, although not as much.
They don't have the miraculous ability to grip roots or icy death cookies when approached from the side. I doubt that any tires can do that. They'll lose traction on ice if you push them too hard, but they're surprisingly capable.
I suppose a higher-volume tire would handle drops and really sketchy traction situations better, so this tire is for someone who's also interested in speed. I've had them in all the conditions mentioned above and they've worked well for me, so it's also for someone who doesn't want to swap their tire much. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pos51
a Cross Country Rider
from Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, UK
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Bathpool | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay.... | | Strengths: | Great all round performance. | | Weaknesses: | None....at all. | | Similar Products Used: | Tioga, Maxxis | | Bike Setup: | Claud Butler Ravana, full disc conversion, Suntour XCM's, SRAM Cassette. | | Bottom Line: | First used these tyres around 8yrs ago. Took me 6months to track down somewhere in the US to ship me a set as they no longer sell these in England?!?!?
Went to all that trouble because i have never used such a confidence inspiring tyre, ever.
They grip in any condition.
Cant rate these highly enough!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bart
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Technical Roller Coaster Rides | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | PerformanceBike.com | | Strengths: | Price, weight, price, fairly decent grip, and price. | | Weaknesses: | 2.1" width must mean 1.9" to the Japanese 'cause this tire sure ain't nowhere near 2.1". | | Similar Products Used: | Crappy stock Bontrager Jones. | | Bike Setup: | Old Trek Hardtail, Manitou Axel Comp fork, Shimano XT components, Crank Bros pedals, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Great tires... for the money. I'm sure there are way better tires out there, but I'm poor and wanna ride so this will have to suffice. I paired it up with the Smoke rear, and although the rear didn't seem to grip as well as the front, it was still a bargain at the end of the day. On one particular drop that has a quick cut-back at the bottom, I would always loose grip and wash out with the old Bontrager Jones tire, but the Dart has seemed to solve the problem. The only real downside is that the stated 2.1" is a joke. It measures 1.9", 1.95" at best, in width. Maybe something got messed up with the whole Metric conversion thing when it came over to America... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Andersen
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | McDowell Mtn Loops | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Price; decent weight; stable; durable. | | Weaknesses: | Size. Says it's a 2.1... guess again, not even close! According to my measurements, it's a 1.80 or 1.85--very narrow. | | Similar Products Used: | Last tires were Specialized Resolution Pro's (2.1), which were good tires but horrible sidewalls... I was getting sidewall tears in the rocky AZ conditions just about every ride. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR, '07. | | Bottom Line: | Decent tires at a great price. Been riding them for 3 months now, and I can see why the Smoke/Dart combo gets such high ratings. I just wish the tire was a true 2.1, b/c they ride a lot rougher than the higher-volume 2.1's that I had on there before--so much so that despite liking their performance, I'm probably still going to replace them with a higher-volume tire. These tires would be great for a hardtail and/or single-speed. I've used Panaracer Fire XC's in the past, and I'd rate the Smoke/Dart combo as better and more durable in AZ conditions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Pacific, MO
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Chubb Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | bikenashbar.com | | Strengths: | I love this tire up front! It is very responsive and sticks to the loose stuff as well as the packed stuff. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 90, Rock Shox Psylo SL, Fox Float R. | | Bottom Line: | I just put a new one on to replace the same tire. I love this tire. It is very good responsive tire. Plus you can't beat the price!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Billings MTUSA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Hellroaring Plateau Road | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$19.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance, REI | | Strengths: | Directional Stability? OK on rocks. Pretty good rolling resistance on pavement. | | Weaknesses: | Poor directional stability in gravel, particularly downhill. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Jones, IRC Trail Bear | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel EX 7 | | Bottom Line: | After years of using Darts and Smokes on the front I tried the IRC Trail Bear and it has been a great surprize. Comparitively the Dart is not nearly as solid in deep pebbles as the IRC - It's the Trail Bear that really goes where you point it in round gravel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodstock, Ga, USA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Blankets Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | This tire is simply great. Must be the reason they have been popular for so long. Point it where you want to go and it tracks. Lean it over and it sticks. It just inspires confidence. I put 60 miles on this thing up at Tsali this weekend and it performed wonderfully | | Weaknesses: | Smaller than stated size | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Fire XC Pro, Hutchinson Python AirLite | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2006 Giant Anthem 3 | | Bottom Line: | Great front tire. Paired with the Smoke, this is a great way to ride. I cant imagine I would change this set up. Buy this tire and you wont be dissapointed | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Mancuso
a Weekend Warrior
from Haskell, New Jersey, USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringwood Skylands Manor | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Pad in New Jersey | | Strengths: | I have been using the Smoke Dart combo since 1992 and love them. Have tried other tires and always go back to this combo. I even have the newer riders in my bunch using them. I am 175 pounds and ride ruff cross country, all mountain stuff. I took the 2.35's off my 06 Trek Remedy and swapped the smoke/dart combo on. Ruff rock gardens, mudd, even with suspension,, I mean when these tires came out there was like no such thing as suspension,, they are the best tire yet I have used. Will keep on ordering them. | | Weaknesses: | none,, they do wear but 2 sets of tires for a season,, maybe one set if you ride the last 2 months or so with worn tires,, thats enough time out of a set of tires for me. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2006 Trek Remedy 6 | | Bottom Line: | Good stuff | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pierre bourgon
a Cross Country Rider
from cornwall, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail I find | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | don't remember | | Strengths: | excellent traction in all conditions. throws off mud and snow well. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | kenda kinetics front. | | Bike Setup: | 1. 1995 UNIVEGA Alpina 505, Deore LX components.
no suspention
2. 1992 Nishiki Arial, Deore XT components,
dart front, tioga Psycho rear
dart front, kenda kinetics rear | | Bottom Line: | this tire is a classic because it provides great traction in almost any terrain.
I used to use this tire front and rear on downhill runs because of the extream cornering traction. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivan
a
from C-Springs
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Initial out of the box traction / steering is good on most conditions. Durability seems pretty good too, but see below for more info. | | Weaknesses: | Per strengths, when new I really liked this tire. It plows a bit in downhill gravel, but all 2.1" tires will do that. I put a dart on the front and a cinder on the back at the same time. The front tire lasted half a season before I began washing out on hardpack (ouch). Front lugs still looked large and in good condition, but the edges of the long straight lugs were round. Rear tire (a smoke) was still doing well. Strange that a front wouldn't last as long as a rear. | | Similar Products Used: | WTBs, IRCs, Tiogas, etc | | Bike Setup: | Black Bomber | | Bottom Line: | I won't go back to this tire. If you can find it on sale (<20$), you may consider picking it up. Be prepared for the tire performance to fall off an edge after a few months of service (and do replace each time you replace your rear tire). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clint R
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin County, CA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Whites Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Very Directional - allows you to point and go. Durable, light, wears well. Good stability on downhills. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't work well in sand or lose gravel. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer trailblaster 2.10 (good - wore quickly), Panaracer XC Firepro (heavy), Wilderness Trail Bike Velociraptor (light but not enough tread). | | Bike Setup: | 2002 K2 Razorback 4.0 w/rock shock SID front shock. | | Bottom Line: | Panaracer makes some of the best tires I have ridden for the Marin Headlands, GGNRA and MMWD. The Dart matches up well with the firepro, trailblaster, or Smoke. If you want a good all round durable rear use the Firepro. Climbing and need a light rear tire use the Trailblaster. The smoke has less tread than the trailblaster and is also a good tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
geddes geddes
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, Ga
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Nasbar | | Strengths: | Fast, good grip, great combo with the Smoke ! | | Weaknesses: | You cant call it a weaknesses, but some riders arent used to going where they point their front tire. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager - AC Jones, IRC | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 90 , Dart / Smoke (40psi) | | Bottom Line: | You point this tire in a direction and thats where you will go ! You couldnt ask for a better front tire with great rolling tread. I think tire pressure also makes a huge factor in tire performance, just find the right PSI for your riding conditions and this will be the last front tire you will ever buy. Again for the people who seem to think this tire has a mind of its own, its called learn how to ride. You point this tire in a direction and thats where you will go ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from L Vegas
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | 1 track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | online - nashbar.com maybe | | Strengths: | Fairly light, pretty good trade off between easy rolling, traction, and weight. Seem durable, no chunks out of the tread yet from rock hits. Reasonable price online on sale (a few months ago). | | Weaknesses: | "Dart" off the trail on occassion. | | Similar Products Used: | Yes, most all except Nokian and Love's. | | Bike Setup: | Bought two tires and put one on the front of a Trek Y and one on a Specialized Comp Hardtail. Good components, Bonti Racelite wheel and the other a M517/XTR hub. Darts are the Kevlar 2.1 | | Bottom Line: | Decent tire but just replaced them with Panaracer Fire XC Pro's. Initally bought the tires as a durable all around trail tire based on the reviews here. Seemed to be great but but both me and another rider (intermediate XC) had problems jumping off the trail once or twice per ride (2hrs). Trail is well used, rough stretches, lot of off angle/camber. When you hit just the right trail surface, if you are not real quick, you're in the bushes (cactus). A few crashes later, no injuries, I called a senior pro level rider over on the coast and he said he used to ride these tires on fire roads and for that they are great - but sometimes have a mind of their own on trails. Maybe something to do with the longer, slightly angled tread bars.
Strange thing is that I really like riding the tire until I'm off the trail. So now they're on (front and back) the knock around, ride to the store, hit the dirt/dust/rock piles behind the house bike. Rear mounted reverse direction rotation. Oh well.... overall good.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivan
a
from C-Springs
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Similar Products Used: | Mythos, Fire XC, Smoke, Wildgripper, and a handful of specialized team tires | | Bike Setup: | G-spot w/ Z1 SL | | Bottom Line: | In loose eroded granite the tire plows. Above listed tires plowed when worn (especially the Mythos and team control); but the dart plows out of the box. Decent on hardpack (but what isn't). No excessive pinches / punctures. If you can find these on sale and you don't ride loose rock, consider picking them up. Else pony up a little more dough for something else. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria Australia
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere - plenty round here | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Gilmore Cycles, Bendigo | | Strengths: | Light, predictable | | Weaknesses: | A tad narrow for a 2.1 Hates loose rocky stuff. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Duster pro, Syncros HC, Onza Rip / Rail | | Bike Setup: | Alloy mongoose hartail, 4 inch Judy SL, Formula discs | | Bottom Line: | I got this as a spare, it's a folding 2.1 skinwall. As always, I found it to be a bit narrower than expected when I fitted it. This seems to be normal for this brand. I've found it holds on well in the corners, except for really rocky loose stuff. Can really crank it over with your leg out the side. Gets a bit upset in loose rocky stuff tho. I'm keen to get a set of Smoke / Dart in the white Magic compound to try. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Racer
from Webster, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Private AND any new trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | Forgot... | | Strengths: | Best front tire I have ever used. Period! | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos kevlar 2.1 front(worst tire ever used for front-crap), Velociraptor (V.good), Panaracer Fire XC (v.good) | | Bike Setup: | 2001 K2 Razorback | | Bottom Line: | Best front tire out there. Continues to outperform any other front tire that I try or my friends have allowed me to try. Great cornering in the loose stuff. The diff from my Mythos XC was night and day. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pixelninja
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | They were free | | Weaknesses: | Cornering in loose conditions | | Similar Products Used: | Continental Cross Country
Micheline Wildgripper Lite
IRC Mythos | | Bike Setup: | 96 Kona Lavadome | | Bottom Line: | These tires came with a wheelset I bought from a friend. I'm glad that I now run IRC Mythos. The classic Smoke/Dart combo is NOT what you want if you ride loose, rocky steep stuff. I never felt confident cornering. Front would always feel like its about to wash out, and several times it did. The Wildgripper Lites that I had previously had amazing grip. Not sure how those stack up against my current Mythos, but both sets were/are much better than the Smoke/Dart.
I'll give them 2 chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | SugarBottom | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$5.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay baby! | | Strengths: | Great traction in corners
Higher air volume than other tires | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Team Master, Mythos, Velociraptor, Bontrager Jones | | Bike Setup: | ProFlex 856 | | Bottom Line: | These tires are great! It feels like my bike is on freaking rails. The tread pattern is mysteriously familiar...oh yeah, same designer as the Velociraptors. Great tire...gonna hafta try out the Dart. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Puzman
a Cross Country Rider
from Wallingford, CT
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the ones covered with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | cornering grip good on soft soil
may help speed up steering on bike with slack head angle | | Weaknesses: | slips easily on wet roots
turns in *too* quick, gives steering a twitchy feel
weight heavier than advertised
could roll quicker | | Similar Products Used: | Fire XC Pro 2.1
Hutchison Alligator 1.85
Hutchison Python 2.0
Duster II | | Bike Setup: | Titus LocoMoto
Z3 | | Bottom Line: | I beg to differ with the other reviews here, but I found these tires detrimental to my bike's handling. Had been riding an Alligator 1.85 in front, which had incredible grip (probably due to soft compound), but wore out quickly (probably due to soft compound!). Replaced with the Dart, and my bike's handling went to hell. Wiped out 4x in two loops of a very familiar course, where I rarely if ever wreck. Steering became very twitchy, and the front end washed out easily on wet roots or big round stones (e.g. creek bed). Replaced with a cheap Korean wire-beaded Mythos XC, and it felt like a huge improvement- much more predictable handling at the limits, with better steering feel. I think there's better options out there these days. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from denver
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | buffalo creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Decent all-around tire | | Weaknesses: | cornering | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin Wildgripper Lite, Continental Crosscountry | | Bike Setup: | 96 Kona Lavadome | | Bottom Line: | Most people here seem to think this tire corners very well. I have to disagree. While its a decent all-around tire, it doesn't corner nearly as well as my last set of tires - Michelin Wildgripper Lite. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Thompson
a Cross Country Rider
from Leicester / uk
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Outwoods, Quorn, uk | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came wiv bike | | Strengths: | bomb proof, you can take corners like a lunatic, and they chomp through terrain like a war hungry tank. | | Weaknesses: | their width (2.10) makes them sluggish for the tarmac ride back home. | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin wildgripper cream comp | | Bike Setup: | Viper f-40 elite frame (www.woollyhatshop.com), wieniemen 512 rims, Panracer , avid sd 2.0 brakes, shimano stx groupset, Bomber Z4's | | Bottom Line: | Well what can i say about these.... they are part of mountain bike legend, the design hasn't changed since the 80's. If you have limited cash and want some beefy durable tyres for thrashing through the woods then these are a must.
• REMEMBER • The dart is designed for the front only and the 'panracer smoke classic' as the back tyre, and with that combo... your laughing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a
from Halifax
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | COrnering! Cheap! | | Similar Products Used: | Tioga psycho, Specialized ground controls | | Bottom Line: | Almost a decade and these are still the best cornering tires out there. They stick like nothing else ever made. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Confidence inspiring.
Hold a line and maintain their grip in dry/loose conditions. | | Weaknesses: | Not for the road - but hey, it's a mountain bike tire so that's not really a weakness! | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson, Michelin. | | Bottom Line: | There are not many products out there that will make you a better cyclist. A good set of tires will. For me, the Smoke/Dart combo (the Dart is the front-specific tire that goes with the Smoke which is a rear tire) is that set of tires.
After being betrayed (2 wrecks and a flat in 2 rides) by a pair of Hutchinson Pythons which were very skittish and didn't seem to hold a line, I put a Smoke/Dart combo on my bike. Man, what a difference. The first ride out I could tell they were connecting much better and holding a line where the Pythons had been washing out. In fact, that first ride out I rode the same basic loop that I'd ridden a day earlier (the trail conditions where exactly the same) with the Pythons and was able to clean several sections that I hadn't been able to with the Pythons. The Smoke/Dart hooked up so much better in the dry/loose trail conditions without the constant washouts that seemed to plague the Pythons. With the Smoke/Dart it's simply a matter of pointing the front tire and pedaling - as long as you can do those two things the Smoke and Dart will do the rest. I haven't found any conditions that they can't handle - except for maybe ice, but heck who wants to ride on that anyway? ;-)
Finally, I'm a firm believer in using a product as it is intended to be used. This tire is an off-road mountain bike tire. If you're looking for a tire to use on the road and on the trail, this probably isn't that tire. I'd recommend semi-slicks for that purpose.
Bottom Line: 5 flaming chilis - the Smoke/Dart combo rocks!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Novi, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Maybury and Island Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Didn't pay anything cuz a friend gave em to me and man I am glad that he did. These tires by far have the best cornering ever. They are really smooth and grip well on turns. | | Weaknesses: | Not a fan of the whitewall look. Not good for long road rides (ex. riding to the trails) | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Velociraptor 2.1 (front and rear) Another great tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Martin
a
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$14.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Equipment Co-op in Canada | | Strengths: | The best cornering out of any tire I've every tried. Good low rolling resistance. Extremely durable, has amazing grip, good climbing. Fast anytime and on any surface. | | Weaknesses: | This is an amazing tire. It has no weaknesses. | | Similar Products Used: | So Many! Michilen, Panaracer, IRC, Ritchey, Mavic, Continental etc. This is the best! | | Bottom Line: | You don't get any better than this! I have tried so many tires that I have my own tire pile in my garage. I have concluded that this is the all round best cross country tire! It is fast at any time, durable even on pavement, corners like a ferret with its tail on fire, good mud shedding, climbing is great and this tire will never let you go no matter how hard you ride it. Looks aren't the best but if you want an outstanding all round tire, this is the one for you!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richie B
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hartshorne Woods | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Excellent cornering in any condition I have encountered. Still on my bike, so old they are dry rotted. | | Weaknesses: | still looking... | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V | | Bottom Line: | Just look at the tread anyone who has a brain will under stand why it is great for the front of a bike, long knobs on the front, paddles on the rear, need I say more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from South Texas
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Yes | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Durable, tracks where you aim it in almost any conditions, takes any abuse I've been able to dish out. | | Weaknesses: | No way. | | Similar Products Used: | More than I can remember. | | Bike Setup: | Aluminum hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | This is the ultimate tire for cross country. Nothing seems to confuse it or dismay it. Yeah, it sucks in mud. You should go around mudholes anyway. I just can't say enough good about this tire. Last weekend I got surprised on a new trail and set the Dart down on hardpack about 6-8 feet beyond the point where it left the ground. I touched down with the bar turned slightly, hard enough to bottom the fork. The Dart dug in, sprayed dirt and gravel into the weeds and went where it was pointed. Suits me. It even rolls pretty easy. I've ridden it in sharp rocks, pine needles, wet roots, sneaky baby heads, sand, loose gravel, and everything else and I've never had a problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lennart
a Weekend Warrior
from Bockenem, Germany
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Strengths: | None (Could not find out) | | Weaknesses: | Very poor puncture resistance. | | Similar Products Used: | Farmer John + Cousin | | Bike Setup: | 87 TREK | | Bottom Line: | Went out for a short ride had to walk home the last mile :-((
This tire is so poor against punctures I only managed 3 miles without a flat. The Smoke I put on in the rear went out of air even sooner....not happy. I put my Farmer John back on, never had any trouble with them.
Only good thing about is was that I got the tires for free with a set of wheels I bought @ ebay. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | corners great, seems fast enough, no problems with wear, reasonable weight | | Weaknesses: | I,m sure there are plenty of other tires with less rolling resistance | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR | | Bottom Line: | I've been amazed with this tires ability to hold a line in corners. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JRD
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hancock Pass, CO | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Durability, grippiness, and all around traction | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized junk | | Bike Setup: | Y-22, AD-10, Mars1, full xtr... | | Bottom Line: | These are great tires for all conditions. They track well, handle loose, wet, dry, and rocky. They've lasted me for a long time and b/c of their performance I just keep buying more. Want a durable, and good traction tire? Then get these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
old school
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, va
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | wilder ranch , santa cruz ,ca | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Lbs | | Strengths: | I love this tire! It rolls smooth and corners great. In loose or hard pack this thing eats it all up. | | Weaknesses: | I couldn't find it. It seems they stopped making them for a while. Now they are BACK!!! as a classic!! they are so good they had to bring em back. | | Similar Products Used: | junk, Bontreagar Jones , Bontregar Revolt, Specalized ground control extreme, VelociRaptor | | Bike Setup: | cannondale- full upgrades across the board. newer Bontragar wheels. Just made the commitment to go all American- going to full SRAM set up. | | Bottom Line: | These tires are soooo Great! I had an old heavy large piece o sh*t bike that just crashed through every turn. I pleaded with my bike mechanic to help me with out spending the $$$ on a new bike. hey just winked and pulled down a smoke dart (old school name). I slapped it on. it was like a whole new bike!!! I was riding OLD BLUE HEAVY (my buds used to tease me) and i was smoking past all my buddys on their 1000$$ bikes. When i finally broke down for a sweet new Cannondale; I had them put my old tires on it!! Thats how great these are. They grip like velcro. Roll smooth like Butta. They climb like a mountain goat with a Hornet up his ass! Man I love this tire! 5 red hot smokies! buy it if you can find it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Golden
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Superb directionality at speed and goes where you point it,
regardless of surface.
| | Weaknesses: | Tend to grab and creep towards the uphill side on a severely
slanted trail at low speed. Clearance problem with my old
Manitou fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Ground Control, Team Control. Ritchey Z-Max,
Alpha & Omega. | | Bike Setup: | Merlin MTB w/ Shimano XT & Grip Shift, Marzocchi Z-5 Fork. | | Bottom Line: | This front tire is great for speed work on all off-road
surfaces. It really inspires confidence while cornering
and generate excellent braking power. The only dislike is
how they tend to creep uphills on a slanted trail if ridden
at a walking pace. Kind of disconcerting. Otherwise a
great all around choice for anything from slick rock to
soft clay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Sedona, AZ. USA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Looks good. Low rolling resistance. Good tire for casual weekend warrior. | | Weaknesses: | Cornering knobs very weak. Doesn't hook up in loose AZ terrian. No traction at all in mud. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Velocirator
Maxxis Worm Drive | | Bike Setup: | Ibis Mojo
Manitou Mars, XT/XTR, Mythos rear tire | | Bottom Line: | I let the look of these tires fool me. After a few months and many washouts, I'm putting on my old Velociraptors. The Dart Classic is a good tire for slow, nonaggresive riding. Not built or designed for the serious XC racer or riding conditions here in Arizona. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rockohaulic
a
from Palmdale, CA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | Awesome front tyre. The front tyre is the most critical - so you better have one that performs - and this one does. It's fairly light, rolls smooth and fast, and grips great.
At Mt Pinos last weekend there was one turn that I screwed up by cranking too hard on the handlebar. The front started to slip because I screwed up, but then the edges grabbed hard and kept me from going down.
Most impressive.
5 hot ones. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, Ca
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Smooth low resistance rolling on center knobs but lean it over and the edge knobs hold like new velcro. Very nibble handling tire. Holds well off-camber too. | | Weaknesses: | None apparent so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Z-Max & Alphabite, Bontrager Revolt ST & Jones, Panaracer Fire Pro XC, Specialized Team Control & Dirt Control Team Edition (all being front tires) | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar Team w/Judy SL | | Bottom Line: | I have been hunting for the perfect front tire balance of traction and low rolling resistance. Here were my findings to date:
1. Ritchey tires-Good performers but not enough edge grip at higher speeds.
2. Bontrager Revolt ST-Good edge grip but not knobby enough for general conditions.
Bontrager Jones-Good all-around but not as much edge grip as the Revolt ST when laid over. One of the better choices for general use.
3. Panaracer Fire Pro XC-Unpredictable as a front tire. You didn't know when it would hold an edge or washout.
4. Specialized Dirt Control-Not good. Too narrow, poor edge grip. Maybe a racer's tire, not a trail-rider's tire.
Specialized Team Control-The best I found until the Dart. However, it was a little too big & knobby for smooth rolling, a little slow in handling due to its size. But it had the best edge grip around.
Enter the Dart Classic. A couple people at 2 different shops had recommended it. Even though its an old design, I had never tried it. I didn't think it would grip well on edge, as the profile is vertically oriented & I tend to like edging knobs angled to the sides. Got nothing to lose by trying it, so I did.
WOW, what a tire!! The Dart rolls smoothly on its center knobs and has a nimble feel to it. Lay it over on edge and it grips without a hint of washout. It grips without sliding on hillside off-cambers. Slow or at high speed (for trail riding), the tire is very consistent.
My hunt is officially over! The Dart wins! The best front tire I've used. The other good part-cost. Performance & Nashbar has them. Nashbar has them for $19.99, but right now they're on sale for $15.95. Performance will price-match that. This is for the 560 gram kevlar model. What a deal on a great tire! I'm running it with a Specialized Dirt Master Team on the back. The perfect combo. Try it, you'll love it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robin
a Cross Country Rider
from Exeter, England
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | woodbury xc course | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Traction, direction, light weight in kevlar, easy to pair with faster,narrower rear tyres, way better than the smoke. Easily installed. | | Weaknesses: | Minor ones- one or 2 of the cornering nobs have torn. Not sure about the lateral grip on wet smooth rocks,thick mud | | Similar Products Used: | Pana smoke, xc pro, ritchey speed max, kenda's | | Bike Setup: | db alu hardtail full Xt 99 dart front/ wcs speedmax or xc pro rear latex tubes | | Bottom Line: | The front tire is the most important part of ya bike for grip on the flat and descents this tyre gives serious grip and confidence when tearing downhill and on loose terrian, I had never weighed this tyre until today and found it was only 610g in the 2.1 which is 40g lighter than my 1.8 steel xc pro-bonus! Even though this is a old skool tyre it's $hit loads better than it's rear partner and is seriously quick when paired up with my Vitorria latex- nearly as fast as my wcs speedmax!! Though it does like to throw up little stones at you-ouch! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Sell
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | saw pit | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | SUPERB TRACTION EVERYWHERE. No kidding. And it is cheap.
It also measures lighter than most of the competition,
Kevlar or wire bead respectively. | | Weaknesses: | There is some buzz on pavement. I don't care. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Duster Front (soft dirt tire), Ritchey Mega Bite (awful tire), Ritchey Climb Max used on front to replace MB | | Bike Setup: | Trek Y-22 (full susp. 3" travel). I ride technical, slow, steep, and cover long distances between. | | Bottom Line: | This tire rules!!! This tire has rock-solid grip on the hardpan I usually ride, is predictable in deep sand, usually sheds mud, and rode good even when the lugs were worn low and rounded off by all the gravel.
It's super durable. I rode it about 800 miles of dirt and 100 miles of road in 2 years. I took it off with about .1 inch (2.5 mm) lug height remaining, which is astounding. It's just that for the low price of tires I'll take a NEW Panaracer Dart Classic.
The replacement is a Dart Classic Compe with Kevlar bead. The weight claim of 550 g is honest, says my kitchen scale, unlike some competitors.
Don't confuse the Dart Classic (big lugs) with the Dart HC whose small lugs are weak in soft dirt and sand.
This tire is the very best for XC and technical downhill, unbeatable traction everywhere. Ask a downhill racer if it works at hi speed, but it feels good to me on fire roads. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Ceppetelli
a
from Webster, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Grip, weight, durability | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Velociraptor | | Bike Setup: | 98 K2 2000, LX vbrakes, 2000 xt: shifters, crank, bb, chain, cassette, hubs w/ mavic517, specialized body comp seat | | Bottom Line: | Great tire. For my weight (210lb.) these tires hold excellent. THey stay online where you point them. THey are very light and subsequently fast. I am writing this the day after I fish tailed in mud front end heading for a maple and the Dart hooked up and pulled me out of it! Fantastic tire setup(smoke and dart). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a Weekend Warrior
from North Hills, CA., USA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Abyss | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Works great compared to the Z max it replaced. Inexpensive.
Tracks like I'm on rails. Builds confidence and is predictable. | | Weaknesses: | NONE! but some are lighter. | | Similar Products Used: | Tioga farmer johns, Z Max, Ground Controls, ? | | Bike Setup: | GT Avalanche, ridgid front fork
GT avalanche, Ridgid front fork | | Bottom Line: | So far AWESOME!! In the short time I've had this tire, it has performed better than I could have expected. I went to the bike shop planing on purchasing another tire, but the shop was out of them, so I looked around and everything was sooo expensive...and I didn't want to buy junkers. Anyway, I saw this tire hanging with a 9.95 price on it...turns out it was the last one..just my luck for that price I'd try it. It was a white dart 2.1 "magic". I wish they had more of 'em as this is a great front tire. It rolls well and hasn't shown any wear on several radical rides. Where can I buy more?? BUY THIS TIRE FOR STRONG CORNERING AND PREDICTABLE HANDLING - IT'S EXCELLENT!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lost Oakleys | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | *price-damn, for $13 CANADIAN each, these things rip
*traction-wet/dry/loose/hard/it doesn't matter. they hold
*longetivity-ive had mine for about 2 years now. nuff said.
*looks-mine are white =0) | | Weaknesses: | *ok, maybe they are a bit heavy
*if you like to bash into things, like sharp rocks or other right angled objects, you will pinch flat and/or break off knobs
*could roll a little faster
| | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mtn. Spice 99
Lx
Judy 100
Avid 1d brakes + levers | | Bottom Line: | Great tires for a great price. Cant beat the value. Unless you are a hard core dher or a xc racer(weight freak) you cant go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin D.
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, FL
Date Reviewed: December 22, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Great on sandy and muddy terrain
Hold up well | | Weaknesses: |
Haven't found any | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
Raleigh M-80 with Rock Shox - Dart/Smoke. | | Bottom Line: | I've owned these tires for quite some time and they have held up well...even on the logs and roots that we have a lot of here in FL. I can't speak for how they will hold up on rocky terrain as I haven't ridden it yet. Tires are light and corner well. A great tire for the price. I give it 4 chiles only because I always believe that there is something better if I look hard enough and am willing to pay for it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Byrns
a Cross-Country Rider
from Blackwell, AR
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mocassin Gap | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Grips well on corners.
Low rolling resistance compared to other tires Ive tried.
Light, (550 GR.) | | Weaknesses: |
None found yet | | Similar Products Used: |
Bunches of em. | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Attitude Race. | | Bottom Line: | This is a really light tire. And it seems to hold the corners well. I just came in from the roughest trail I ride (Boulder field) and it still has all the knobies left on it.
Some things just feel right and this is one of those. I think I have found the tire Ive been looking for.
P.S. I have a Smoke on the back and it is killer!
Best rear tire in the world!
I give it 5 flaming flat tomatoes! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gump
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boulder,CO
Date Reviewed: August 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
rough,fast,techy ST | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Weaknesses: |
knobs too small and soft | | Bike Setup: |
TrekY;smoke/dart | | Bottom Line: | The dart (and smoke) came stock on my Y a couple years back. They worked OK on some smooth trails, but faster rough-n-rocky descents and climbs shredded the knobs terribly. The dart's knobs were both too small and too soft too hold up to any serious rough stuff. The smoke followed suit. If you like to take it easy, maybe these scratch-offs will work. I'm going to rate them for MY kind of riding... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
STEVE
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ft. Bragg,NC
Date Reviewed: August 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
long life
great tracking not terrain specific
sand | | Weaknesses: |
somewhat slow on fire roads | | Similar Products Used: |
psycho's
mythos
GEAX Sedonas | | Bike Setup: |
Breezer Lightning w/xt nuke proof hubs, sun 0 deg rims | | Bottom Line: | Awesome tire.I have been using a Smoke/Dart combo for about 6 years now. I have tried other tires and no others have compared in overall handling. They are not the fastest tire out there but if you want predictable handling in all types of terrain you want a Smoke/Dart combo. Good sand tire; anyone who has been to this part of NC knows that's all there is here.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Eckardt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Huntington, IN
Date Reviewed: August 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Franke Park | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Light
Durable
Handles great | | Weaknesses: |
Packs with mud | | Similar Products Used: |
Ritchey-Specialized-Tioga | | Bike Setup: |
Giant ATX AL1.75 frame-RS Q21R shock-LX/XT | | Bottom Line: | Like the Smoke, the best general-purpose tire made. Corners great, low rolling resistance, long lasting. Do not use this tire in mud, it always packs up and then you're basically running a slick. Other than that, it sticks like glue. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josef
a Weekend Warrior
from Prague, Europe, Czech
Date Reviewed: August 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
any | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Front - stable and fast
Rear - good traction on all conditions
Durable | | Weaknesses: |
Rear - slow on hard surface (roads)
Front - wet rocks a roots | | Similar Products Used: |
IRC MythosXC, Hutchinson Python Gold, Schwalbe Black Schark | | Bike Setup: |
Schimano LX, no schock, frame MongooseIboc | | Bottom Line: | Very good tires for all round XC if the speed is not decisive. For universaloff-road use very good tuned combination. Front is relatively fast and steer very good on both - soft and hard surface. Brakeing is suficient, but not excelent on wet. Rear has good traction even in mud. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
roy
a Cross-Country Rider
from lake forest
Date Reviewed: July 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
whiting ranch | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
south calif all around front tire | | Weaknesses: |
hard to find | | Similar Products Used: |
specialized control and master, irc mythos | | Bike Setup: |
fisher oclv hardtail, irc mythos rr semi-slick | | Bottom Line: | to me these are the best front xc tire i've used. they just stick, sometimes they slide a bit but will grip again. they never let me down. another plus is they have very low rolling resistance, you can also see it by the roundness of the tire when on the rim. they brake good in the turns as well as stopping straight. also they're reasonably light compared to a lot of tires. they work great with my irc mythos semi-slick in the rear. i personally will never use another front tire besides the dart. happy trails | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TK
a Weekend Warrior
from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Bottom Line: | Not very happy with these I'm afraid. Sure they're OK on buff singletrack, but for my kind of riding (lots of loose, sketchy, rocky trails n fireroads, with very fast descents) they are NOT up to it. They wash out in corners too easily, plus they dont seem to track very well at speed, plus I've had 3 flats in 3 mos. My previous Kendas were MUCH better in every respect (except they're 20% heavier).............I need to find new front partners for my excellent rear Smokes | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony H.
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, B.C
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Ladies Only | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | I'm using the Dart front and the IRC Mythos rear tires on my bike, and have no gripes at all. The long thin knobs on the front hold great, even when you go hard over and skid the tire out. It looks cool, it's cheap (compared to the velociraptors), and it lasts a helluva long time! Note: The tire's pretty thin, so if you're big, or like huge fat downhilling *all* the time, maybe you should try 'em first.Five fat chilis. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ric
a Cross-Country Rider
from Arizona
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
excellent traction and linear stability | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
Mythos, Veloraptors, onza | | Bike Setup: |
KillerV900 all the goodies, and now on a CAD2 KillerV that my daughter uses. | | Bottom Line: | I used the normal black compound for years then bought a set of gray (soft) Kevlars. The rear wore out way to quickly, but the traction was absolutley amazing. The front on the other hand, is still being used to this day, 1 year later. This Gray compound Dart is worth the money. It tracks like a blood hound and keeps a solid squirmless line under hard braking. This is important if your a hard front brake user like I am. I have used this tire for everything. The sharp edges are now gone, but since I moved to Arizona last month, I dont need them. Especially on the rocky/sandy terrain I ride here, they shine. Buy the Grays 5 stinkin dead rats for these, hehe, you could get traction over those as well I'm sure !!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Wullaert
a Cross-Country Rider
from De Klinge, Belgium
Date Reviewed: May 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
La Roche, Belgium | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Grip, cornering | | Weaknesses: |
None really... | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized, WTB, Tioga | | Bike Setup: |
Aeroline | | Bottom Line: | Excellent tire ! One of the best I've ever used, although a tad heavier than some. Excellent cornering abilities ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake
a Cross-Country Rider
from West Chester, Ohio
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Holds up to sharp objects such as glass, or small nails. Dosn't slide easily. It sticks just enough to keep you from sliding and falling even on loose gravel. But it dosn't stick enough to flip you or cause you to make a boo boo. They are also good for on-road cycling, but work the best for off-road cycling. | | Weaknesses: |
Gets stuck in very thick mud. About three to four and half inches of mud and you're maxed out. Not to good to long sharp nails, but is resistant. | | Similar Products Used: |
I havent really tried another brand other than the brand that came with my first street bike and tose tires were punctured by a jagged rock. And glass cut right through it. I tried the tires on my dads bike, and the tires he has are Bontragers, and they aren't really a match for the typre of bicycling that I do. So these tires are honestly the best chopce for people who like to cycle a lot even when the trail is covered in inches of mud or if it covered with shard or jagged objects. | | Bike Setup: |
I have a Diamondback Mountain Bike. It dosn't really have any shocks, but that's why I use these tires because they do act as shocks and suspension. | | Bottom Line: | Best tires I've tried and riden on. Use them, Youll thank me. There really great. 5 + chiles. I honestly don't think that 5 chiles is enough for the rating of this tire. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trusty Terry
a cross-country rider
from Stow Ohio
Date Reviewed: December 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been riding smoke & dart tires for six years now.
These tires are the best off road tires you can buy. When
your riding, Your tires are what connect you to the ground.
I trust these tires with my life. The smoke & dart tires
always get me where im going. I wont go mountain bikin
without them. Thank God for these tires, and the trails I
ride on. The highest rating ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T.J. Fuell
a racer
from Utah
Date Reviewed: November 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I ride the 2.2 Smoke/Dart combo. and love it. The first time I rode with them I was riding Darh hollow at Brianhead and flipped because they stuck so well. However, I tried the Dart 2.1 and personally do not like it at all. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jef f Wu
a cross-country rider
from Hsin Chu
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
One of the best all around cross country tires I've ever used. Stability is very good. Corners well and brakes well. Roling resistance is low. It lasted for 8 months. Reasonably light for a full krobby. Really good front tire, but I think WTB's Velociraptor is even better. The first front specific tire. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SQUISH
a racer
from Redfield, South Dakota
Date Reviewed: August 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I am running a Smoke\Dart combination. I tell ya what, this tire rips if you run on dry dusty hard packed trails, and they seem to work well when it's wet, and on soft trails. They have been used for two seasons almost. First by my dad now by me. They are just now starting to show there miles, and wear out. It's to bad they don't make em any more.Five flamming thingys. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stacy
a cross-country rider
from Tacoma, WA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Enjoyed them when they first came out, and enjoy them now that they are available again. A great overall tire for medium to soft terrain as well as rocky areas. The kevlar bead is not too heavy as well. Much better than the Continental navigator, or tiogas. They post a consistent ride and that's what is important to keep from crashing...... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dom
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Get the smoke/dart classic comp tyres- 600g or pure XC control, for most conditions. They fall over badly when you're up to you're axles in mud (but then what tyre won't) and can be a bit skittish in very hard conditions, but excell anywhere else. And whats with this 50 word limit now imposed?? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a weekend warrior
from Edmonton, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This tire eats lightning and craps thunder! It keeps you in control when you're going up those huge hills and helps you stay alive when you're burning back down. The Dart is a huge tire, so if you are a freek about size and weight don't get it. I'll give it a 5 becaues it looks so damn cool. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blitz
a cross-country rider
from Sterling, VA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Dart Classic is a great tire most of the conditions I run into here in NOVA. Terrain is mostly stream valleys with steep decents and acsents. Only complaint is that on extreamly slick conditions the tire tends to slide out. Where this tire excels is on soft to hard single track.I haven't used the Dart. So far the Velociraptor is the best rear tire I've used.Over all, I'll give the Dart 4 screaming chili's. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barron
a racer
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: February 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Smoke/Dart tire combination is one of the best tire combinations ever created. It may not be hyped as much as other tires but it sure does work. Why do you think Panaracer brought it back? My kevlar-beaded Dart is reasonably light, durable, and really works well on the terrain that I ride (hard-packed dirt, gravel, and grass). This tire has worked especially well on grassy downhill and dual-slalom courses where I have found traction in corners that I never thought possible. | | Overall Rating: |
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