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Submitted by
Barkleyfan
a Cross Country Rider
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | traction, wear | | Weaknesses: | recovery | | Similar Products Used: | to many to list | | Bike Setup: | several | | Bottom Line: | The Smoke is the best climbing tire I've used in 16 years of mountain biking. It hooks up on any surface, in any conditions, even ice. For a front tire, I tried the Dart up front, but I have to say the Ritchey Z-Max worked better for me. The only issue I had with the Smoke is that once you actually do break traction with it (which takes alot of effort) it is skechy in the corners. It slides, then gets grabby, making a slide unpredictable. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
beedubs
a Cross Country Rider
from BG, KY
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Sal Hallow | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | Timeless design, long lasting (stay off pavement), clears well, grips great. | | Weaknesses: | Panaracer has reduced availability internationally, lite combos are apparently no longer available. | | Similar Products Used: | Tioga, multiple others | | Bike Setup: | Old school V2000 Cannondale, Stumpjumper, Giant Warp, now Marin Mt. Vision Pro 05 full gear | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding for over 15 years (semi-pro back in the day... before I got fat and lazy!). I've tried a dozen or so different tires over the years and have always given them away or thrown them out... except for the smoke/dart combo. They are eventually worn down (on dirt) and used for rail/trail or riverside riding with the gf before being tossed out. I've never ridden downhill and don't do much technical or jump. I'm basically hard-pack singletrack and this setup is the best that I've found. I'll never buy another combo. Best of all, they're perceived as cheap now.
BW
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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 | | Strengths: | Great all round performance | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Tioga, Maxxis | | Bike Setup: | Claud Butler Ravana, full disc conversion, Suntour XCM's. SRAm cassette. | | Bottom Line: | First used the Smoke/Dart combo 8yrs ago. Took me 6 months to track down somebody in the US to ship them to the UK as they no longer sell them here!?!?!
They were well worth the effort.
Cant fault these tyres at all.
Grips on everything i ride on, great in really muddy conditions.
Best tyres ever!! | | 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, and price. | | Weaknesses: | Nowhere near stated width of 2.1", maybe 1.95"... with me on the bike.
Doesn't seem to grip all too well in more hard packed conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | Old stock Bontrager Jones. | | Bike Setup: | Old Trek Hardtrail w/Manitou fork, XT components, Crank Bros pedels, etc. | | Bottom Line: | This is a decent tire... for the money. I replaced the old stocker Bontrager Jones tires on my bike with the Dart/Smoke combo and am more happy with the grip increase in the front, but have seemed to have lost a bit of grip in the rear, and that's even when swapping from a worn tire to a new one. The only thing that I can come up with to explain the loss of grip is that the few times I've ridden on the new tires since I've gotten them have been more hard-packed conditions than normal. Though, in the loosened-up sections, it seems to grip well. So, maybe I just haven't gotten it in it's element yet. The weight seems decent, but the whole 2.1" width thing is way off. This could be another attributing factor to the bit of lost grip. Ironic, I go from a 1.95" Bontrager Jones that measured 2.1", to a 2.1" Smoke that measures 1.9". Ugh. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Andover, NJ
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Kitatinny Valley | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | LHS | | Strengths: | Durability, grip and confidence | | Weaknesses: | Wet surfaces, rocks and roots. | | Bike Setup: | Yokota - Yosemite Comp Hardtail, Smokes FR & RR | | Bottom Line: | Looking for new tires as I have thoroughly have gotten my money's worth out of these by being able to rotate my tires. Looking to try a Dart/Smoke combo this time. | | 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 ($16 combined for the Smoke/Dart combo--$8 per tire!), durability, good traction/stability. Avg. rolling resistance. Not a single sidewall cut since I've had them on. | | Weaknesses: | Size. I went to a smaller tire to avoid sidewall tears, but these tires are not even close to the advertised 2.1 width; they're actually about 1.8 or 1.85. When you're used to higher-volume tires, these tires feel much harsher. I really wish these tire companies would use accurate measurements! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Resolution Pro 2.1's (great tires, horrible sidewalls); Panaracer Fire XC's (good tires, but these are better). | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpy 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
Jhomper
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | DR/MW/Halls Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Descent treads and traction. Pretty light. Moderate durability. | | Weaknesses: | A little slippery on the mixed rock with sand terrain. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB velociraptor, Maxxis, Conti gravity and survival pro, Tioga Psycho | | Bike Setup: | Giant VT, XT drivetrain, Manitou Minute and Swinger SPV shock setup about 5 inches of travel. Velociraptor front and Smoke in the back | | Bottom Line: | The rear tire is quite good for digging into loose gravel. Took it to Moab a few weeks ago and it did great on slick rock along with plowing thru the sand patches. Had some snow experience, and it did quite well. I am a little nervous on the mixed dry sand on rock terrain. The rear Velociraptors were a bit better for this. Climbs well on loose rock/gravel like the Vraptors and a bit lighter. For the price and performance, this tire is a great value.
Riding style: I bike xc and all-mountain and like mixed terrains with some technical rock gardens, including some rough jagged rocks. The terrain in the Front Range is dryer with interspersed loose rocks and gravel. Climbing is always a part of a fun ride for me. | | 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 | | Strengths: | Grips like hell over any surface. What else could you want? | | Weaknesses: | Slings pooh like a pissed-off monkey | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Fire XC Pro, Hutchinson Python AirLite | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2006 Giant Anthem | | Bottom Line: | This coupled with the dart up front makes for a hell of a ride. Buy these tires and forget about them. Thats the best compliment I can give a tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Holly Springs, Georgia, USA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Blankets Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$19.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike Online | | Strengths: | Grips roots like a lumberjack, and corners like an indi car. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Hutcheson POS factory installed tires. | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rainier. Sram X-7rear marzochi EXR pro shock. | | Bottom Line: | I bought these based on the reports I read here. THANK YOU. So far this tire has been a huge improvement from the Hutcheson crap that came on the bike. Buy them you won't be sorry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$17.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Light, easy mount and dismount. Super grip on any surface. | | Weaknesses: | Some rolling resistance, but not much. Tends to pop off rim at times. | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos, Kenda Klaw XT, Maxxis | | Bike Setup: | Iron Horse Warrior Comp with lots of upgrades | | Bottom Line: | I ride these tires on just about every kind of surface and they seem to be the best I've tried. They work best on hardpack singletrack. Cornering is good. Great grip on roots. A little sketchy on loose gravel though. They are a little loose so make sure they're on the rim right otherwise expect a blowout. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mel Stewart
a Cross Country Rider
from Steamboat Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Eye-to-eye | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Great grip, cheap | | Weaknesses: | DO NOT USE WITH STAN'S NO-TUBE | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos | | Bike Setup: | Yeti ASR-SL | | Bottom Line: | Great tire, but DO NOT use with Stan's no-tubes. Found out the hard way with two flats from rock punctures on the first four rides.
Bottom Line: Good tire in multiple condition, just use with tubes and tire liner. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex bob
a
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | grous mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Purchased At: | bike docter | | Strengths: | very gripy
and they go very fast on grass. | | Weaknesses: | not very good on really fast corners. | | Similar Products Used: | kenda hamers. | | Bike Setup: | GT agrressore 2.0 aluninum dh bike. | | Bottom Line: | A very good tire for eny bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from santa rosa cal usa
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | ok for back tire | | Weaknesses: | very week tire for the front when you make turns going downhill you can feel it slipping | | Similar Products Used: | maxis other | | Bottom Line: | I wrecked hard with this tire going down hill in the dry feels very slippery making turns I dont like it | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank Durso
a Cross Country Rider
from Brookhaven, PA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Middle Run | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$17.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bikes | | Strengths: | Durability, Cornering ability, climbing ability | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Fire XC
IRC Mythos | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Jamis Exile with Mavic 222's, Manitou Skareb Comp | | Bottom Line: | I have used these tires exclusively for close to 9 years. The Smoke and Dart Combo are the best all-around riding and racing tire I have used, and they are very economical.
I pay about $17 per tire when they go on sale at Performance Bikes, and that 50% sale happens a couple of times a year | | 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
Jesse
a Cross Country Rider
from Selinsgrove, PA
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Marsh Lake, PA & Roaring Creek, PA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | It's freakin' classic. Works great in mud, snow, and other wet coniditions. Seems to run good in dry stuff, but its been so wet since I put it on. | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than the Contis I usually run. | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Rocky Mountain Element 70 | | Bottom Line: | I've been running it in this crappy winter slop. Central PA has been blessed with snow, rain and cold with a few 50 degree days thrown in so I usually get out on the bike at least once a week. It has tackled the mud, snow wet ground really well. Climbing on snow seemed like a breeze. The Smoke sheds mud and snow like a snake sheds its skin. It handles slick rocks as well. If you're looking for a great off-season or wet conditions tire go vintage, get back to you roots and throw on that old school Panaracer Smoke. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Landl
a Racer
from Helena, MT
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Many :) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | bikesdirect/nashbar/performance | | Strengths: | Super tire for climbing/stopping on fast decents.
Hooks up excellent in all conditions. Price! and Light! | | Weaknesses: | Wear out quickly. Prone to punctures on rocky trails. | | Similar Products Used: | Just about every tire you can think of...Favorites are:
Mitchelin Hot s
Continental Survival PROtect | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Specialized FSR Pro Top of the line everything.
2003 Treck Fuel 98 Top of the line everything. | | Bottom Line: | My wife and I have been riding these tires on the rear of our mt. bikes for over three years...even tho they aren't ust, she runs tubeless with the Stans set up, and I run tubes. We have never had any problems when it comes to everyday riding, but when we get down and dirty while racing we have both blown these tires several times. I am light at 145 and so is she at 125 so I would expect these tires to hold up a little better. We still ride these tires everyday, but when it comes to race day I ride the Mitchelin Hot s in back and she rides the
Conti Survival Pro. haven't had any punctures with these to yet, and they wear much longer. FYI we both run the Panracer Fire Xc Pro 2.1 with snake bite in front..Sweet/light/excellent tire
If you dont go to bananas the in the rocks the Smoke Classic is the ultimate tire for everyone!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Tustin, CA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Lots of grip | | Weaknesses: | none so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Jones AC | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4900 Stock | | Bottom Line: | I typically ride a couple miles on street to get to the trailhead. The trails in Southern california are pretty hard packed dirt & sand with no water/mud/grass.
I rode the Jones AC tires for 1000 miles before they wore out so I was very aware of the capabilities when I switched the rear tire to the Panracer Smoke. The difference is night & day. I no longer spin the tires as I try to climb hills. It is like they are glued to the trail. I'm easily getting up all sorts of hills that were very challenging before.
I did finally get my first flat while riding with these tires. It was a 2" nail so I don't think I can count that against the tire.
Also, there were many negative reviews about the significant rolling resistance on pavement. I have mine pumped up to ~50psi because I'm 200+ lbs. The tire is designed so there's a good contact patch going down the center of the tire so it rolls very smoothly in a straight line. However, if you turn a corner and roll on the side of the tire, you'll slow down a lot.
Finally, I doubt these tires will last 1000 miles like my previous tires because the rubber feels softer. However these cost $18 versus $40 or $50 to replace the Jones AC's. For the increased performance I'll gladly replace them a little more often.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivan
a
from C-Springs
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | The traction this tire provides (especially when new) is quite impressive. nice big lugs will reach out and grab trail features. | | Weaknesses: | Durability. Went through two tires in 6 months. First tire lasted only a few rides before ripping the sidwall on Horsethief bench in Fruita. When I replaced the dart I had on the front wheel, I checked the smoke and noticed missing lugs etc. I'd like to think I'm a manimal, but in reality, its soft rubber (which may be why its such a shovel). Touch heavy in Kevlar (in wire its a boat anchor) | | Similar Products Used: | WTBs, IRCs, Tiogas, etc | | Bike Setup: | black bomber | | Bottom Line: | If you can find these tires with the kevlar bead for less than 20$ you should consider the tire. Overall durability leaves a bit to be desired, but the traction is quite nice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Belgian Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Dreaming Spires
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | *This is a follow up review to that submitted as 'Red kites'.*
Grip, more grip and... yup, still more grip! Smoke and Dart combo is excellent for traction in all loose and sloppy conditions. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, a bit sluggish and not ideal therefore on pack and road. | | Similar Products Used: | aligators, mythos, roll-x, explorers, veliciraptors... I could go on. | | Bike Setup: | 'Hopper Pro, with whatever tyres, pedals, saddle I'm trying out this week! | | Bottom Line: | Having used these tyres for over a year, I am happy to say that my earlier review was unduly harsh.
The smoke (rear) tyre shifts loose mud, soil and rocks like a miner on speed, and feels very positive on off camber loose stuff like rocks flints and soft mud.
Its partner tyre up front, the Dart, takes a little getting used to, as it's tread design means it wants to go in a straight line, regardless of what you try to do with your bodyweight. This means it isn't a tyre whose handling you can take for granted for the first couple of rides, but stick with it, because what the Smoke offers in rotational grip, the Dart offers in lateral grip. You can ride ACROSS a very steep, slippery camber with this tyre and it will tend to climb the slope, not descend it, it has that much traction.
Because of the spacing between the blocks (paddles, knobs, blades... whatever) they don't shed very sticky thick mud or mud and leaves too well, so don't use them in clay/ chalk soils in the wet!
Bottom line? I got mine for £25 a set at my LBS (Beeline), and now I love them. I'd definitely buy another set.
Value rating is for the price I paid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mister Big
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Marin Headlands | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 15.00 | | Strengths: | Grippy, confidence-inspiring, pushes through tough terrain, feel like I'm on rails. | | Weaknesses: | Slow, lots of rolling resistance, on the street you feel like you're pulling an extra 15 pounds. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Innovader, Panaracer Fire XC, Specialized stock stuff | | Bike Setup: | Marin Pine Mountain, steel hardtail | | Bottom Line: | You will find yourself riding with more speed an confidence, but you will pay the price in rolling resistance and if you have to ride on the street to get to your trail. A word of difference between these and the less knobby Ritchey Innovaders. Those are fast, but I find myself slipping and struggling to avoid wipe outs.
Put on the Smoke/Dart combo and it's like you are glued to the trail. You can ride on the sides of these tires and in ruts. Well, mountain biking is about riding on trails and, for me, not falling or wiping out, so I like them even if they make me ride slower because of the rolling resistance. | | 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: |
$19.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Grips like a champ, and you cant beat the price for Kevlar! Better warn the guys behind you when you give them a face full of mud. | | Weaknesses: | none so far ! | | Similar Products Used: | IRC, Bontrager -AC Jones | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 90, Dart / Smoke (40psi) | | Bottom Line: | I wish I had switched sooner ! You cant compare the feeling of riding with control vs. out of control in wet conditions. I have never had a problem getting hooked up with a line over wet roots. These tires shead mud like a dog in the summer heat. I ride in all kinds of conditions but I havent met one yet on the East side where these tires didnt get the job done. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Poway
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Twin Peaks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | Preformance Bicycle | | Strengths: | Great Traction
Holds a line
Cleans itself well | | Weaknesses: | ??? | | Similar Products Used: | First MTB | | Bike Setup: | Giant DS2 | | Bottom Line: | Great tire for the riding i do. holds a line on a downhill. sticks like glue on a climb. i cant get teh thing to break traction. the smoke/dart combo is great. would wanna give it 10 chillis for value. 10 for overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Red Kites
a Weekend Warrior
from Oxford
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Afan Argoed trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Corners well enough for a knobbly on blacktop, very good traction on wet grass when climbing steep inclines. | |
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$ 35.00
