Mountain Biking - Tire help...

I'm looking to upgrade my stock tires to something a little better and I need some advice. I'm looking at the Panaracer Fire XC Pro ATB tires:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=8378&siteid=zoQVN.o8yT0-i7nYWsexDuDpcVE0Yisv3A

Is this a good tire?

Also, the link is to the wire bead version. Should I spend the extra $10 and get the Kevlar version of the same tire?

Draft

Yes its a good tire. Also consider the trailblaster. Definately go for kevlar since its lighter and less rotating mass matters.

I have that exact tire. I used to have it front and rear, but found it to be a better rear tire than a front tire. Like Math said get the Kevlar bead, it'll be less likely to pinch flat. I really didn't like it as a front tire. It seemed as though it would wash out a little quickly and then it was hard to pull back in. As a REAR tire it's awesome though. It hooks up well, never had a pinch flat, and never leaves me high and dry.

Good Luck

What do you suggest for a front tire?

Thanks,
Draft

i've found that the IRC Mythos XC has been working very well with it. Similar kind of tire and tread, so it works out well and the IRC has a round profile. I've has the Mythos for about 2 months and no complaints

It's a solid tire. I run it front and rear on my Jekyll. It doesn't corner as well as my Michelins, tho, and it loads up with mud like crazy. Other than that it's a decent tire, just not one of my favorites.

I meant the Panracer XC Pro, by the way.




And the Michelins that I'm currently running are the Front S, and the XLS in the rear, both tubeless, but you can get them in the tubed variety also. Best combination I've found, and works in ALL conditions very well.

Are you talking about the Michelin Wildgripper Comp S? If so, can anyone else recommend this tire? It'll be used for a front tire.

Thanks,
Draft

No, I'm talking about the Michelin tires called the "Front S" and the "XLS" tire. But the Comp S is a pretty solid choice as well.

Sorry Jim, but I went with a pair of Fire XC Pro's. I got them in the mail today, slapped them on, and have been loving them ever since. Anything is an improvement over the pieces of garbage that were on there before. They're a little wider, a lot lighter, and they handle like a dream compaired to my old tires.

I may try to upgrade my front tire to a Michelin in the future, but right now, I'm happy with what I've got.

Thanks for the advice.

Draft

Still a solid tire. I run them on the Jekyll. They a good performer in all conditions, not to mention they're very reasonably priced. My Michielins ran me like 60-70 for the set, but I got my XC Pros for my other bike for 25 bucks per pair.

I have the mythos xc and like them.However i just upgraded to continental explorers and i love them.A little pricey though. It really depends on the terrain you ride in though.Btw go for the kevlar.

Yeah, I got the kevlar. So far, I think the weight difference is worth the extra price.

Draft