[Pedaller]

I saw a set of Panaracer Fire XC with gray sidewalls on ebay. Does anyone know if this is the better quality Japanese version. The Panaracer website does not list a gray color.

 

[Wombat]

If the website doesn't list them I would assume that they are the lower quality version. But to be honest, I can't tell the difference between the kevlar 127 tpis and the steel 60 tpis when they are on my bike.

Wombat

 

[RED5]

the grey wall Panaracers are made for SomaFab. Soma gets them mfg. by Panaracer and has them marked with their own label calling them Inferno XC 2.1's, but they are the exact same tire as the standard 127tpi Fire XC Pro.

Chances are these are overstock that Soma didn't take so rather than dump them Panaracer justed labeled them as a "Special Edition".

check em out...SomaFab Inferno XC 2.1

Tech info from Soma site regarding the Inferno:
• HyperTex casing layer with ASB chafer means double the pinch-flat resistance.
• Exact same tread and compounds as the Panaracer FireXCPro (cuz' it's made by them)
• Multi-height hard compound knobs for performance in all terrain.
• "Cruiser white" silica side walls adds stability to the tire
• Multi-directional by flipping the direction of the tread.
• Kevlar bead

Pic of the Inferno

 

[bigdamo]

Yeah i just received 4 of the panaracer fire xc pro limited edition grey side wall tyres and on 3 of thoses tyres where the tyre knobbs where joined in the middle of the tyre casing where out of alignment by 2-3mm ie thet didn't butt up together.

 

[shiggy]

Older thread about the gray Fire XC:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=131158

 

[Pedaller]

Thanks for all the information guys. I had my doubts about them before but I think I'll get them now.