Panaracer Fire Cross 700×45
Panaracer first showed this tire at interbike 2004. The 29er community gave it a lukewarm response, at best, because of its low volume casing.
Saturday I finally had the chance to put some trail miles on the Panaracer Fire Cross 700×45 tires. Mounted them on the BigShot and met Impy, formica and gabrielle (from mtbr.com) for a shuttle of the McKenzie River Trail (great day on the trail).
I intended for the narrower tires to slow my pace and require me to pick better lines. They did slow me slightly. I could still ride as quickly as the trail would allow. After 5-6 miles I stopped looking smoothest lines and rode over and through everything as I would normally. The Fire Cross handled it all very well. Good climbing, braking and cornering traction. Held the line I wanted most of the time and did not defect easily. No flats. No torn knobs. No harsh ride. Only bottomed the tires a couple of times (@ ~40 psi). Worthy tires!
In the thread I posted on the mtbr 29er board I was asked about the casing width:
“I’ve got the mutano’s now which claim to be 44/44, but they only measure out to about 41mm. I’m interested in the panaracers, but not if they aren’t actually 45mm.”
The Fire Cross is a much more capable off road tire than the Mutano 44/44.
If my previous comments about the volume vs rideability were not enough how about this: For most conditions I would pick the Fire Cross 700×45 over the Exiwolf 29×2.3. Compared to the Fast Trak, Ignitor, Panaracer Rampage, Jones XR and Fire Cross the Exi is harsh riding (even at less than 25 psi) and has traction issues.
Granted, the Fire Cross does not have a plush ride but it is much better than its volume would indicate.
A Day on the Middle Fork
With the Michelin All Mountain 2.20