Panaracer Pro xc

[Divscotty]

I need new xc tires badly. Has anybody ever used Panaracer Pro xc. They look good to me.

[wooglin]

Haven't used those, but if you're in Oregon you probably need either mud or good wet weather tires. For mud I use Michelin Comp Ss, and for wet loamy stuff I'm real happy with the Mythos XCs I've got on my SS. Both can be had for under $20 online if you dig around.

Racer folks around here swear by Hutchinson Mosquitos and Pythons. Can't remember which is better in wet conditions, though, but I think I've seen them on the cheap too.

[carlvoss]

The best tire depends on so many variables. The type of riding, the location, your size, your budget. I have been fairly happy just buying whatever I can get on sale, as long as it loosely fits my riding style and location.

[Rotifer]

E-Bay is a great place for tires, just make sure you go with someone that has a decent reputation (lots of positive feedback).

[Divscotty]

Thanks for the info. I found the panaracers for about 27 bucks. I am not a great technical rider so I need all the edge I can get.

[jimilton80401]

I loved this tire when I first got it. It worked well in the soft soil of the New England trails that I cut my teeth on. Plus, it wasn't that heavy.
Once I relocated to Colorado, I had problems with the tread lugs ripping off of the casing. This could happen to a tire with only 10 or fewer rides on it.
In fact my last one ripped on a medium-fast single track trail. The tread still had plenty of life left in it.
I'm wondering if the Trailblaster would hold up better in dry, hardpack/rocky conditions?

[wooglin-at-home]

Originally posted by jimilton80401
dry, hardpack/rocky conditions?

That sounds like semi-slick <gasp> country.

[Divscotty]

nearly all rides out here have lava rock one minute, and sand the next with a sprinkling of slippery roots. The tire tearing worries me some I don't typically carry an extra tire.

[jimilton80401]

The last time this happened, I was able to boot my XCs with a Clif Bar Wrapper and ride for several more miles/hours.
The problem with using slicks is that there are times when you REALLY need some tread, although slicks would work, maybe 60% of the time.
It's just that when you need knobbies, you really need them, otherwise you're walking.
So a high-volume, low rolling weight tire works well. The Conti Survival Pros are great, they just don't last long enough! They're not really made for my riding area's conditions, but they do work well when new.
Has anyone tried the IRC TrailBear?

[wooglin]

Originally posted by jimilton80401

The problem with using slicks is that there are times when you REALLY need some tread, although slicks would work, maybe 60% of the time.
It's just that when you need knobbies, you really need them, otherwise you're walking.

Yup. I've yet to see the trail where semi-slicks would always work, and around here they'd work far less than even 60% of the time. OTOH, I once spent an afternoon playing on top of Mt. Cardigan in NH. Nothing but granite. Some nice semi-slicks with real low psi would've been fun there.

[wherd]

if you want panaracers i suggest looking into the trail blaster or megablaster depending on the size you like to run.

for east-coast-xc-trail-fun i have found them awesome they never pack up with mud and have real nice traction.

i run mega/front and trail/rear 2.5/2.1 and they consistantly put me right where i wanna be. and don't seem to wear out too quick.

there are less knobs to worry about rippin off; and i don't think i paid over 20 bucks for either tire.

[Divscotty]

thanks for the info I do appreciate the input.