🚀 go-pugleaf

In article 95241@netnews.upenn.edu, fhuang@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (RECKLESS ABANDON) writes:
>
>     Which tire, the Panaracer Smoke (reigning champ) or the Specialized
>More Extreme (up-and-coming challenger), in the net's opinion is a better
>rear tread?
>
>
>-bogueman

May want to qualify this. They're several Smoke's, and while riders I know find
that the 2.1 is excellent, others I've talked to claim the 1.9 Lite sucks. However,
which ever Smoke you choose (1.9, 2.1, or 2.2), they all have approximately the same
tread pattern.

The More Extreme, on the other hand, comes in 3 entirely different tread patterns.
The most  well known is the standard 1.95 wire bead version that's shown in the 
Specialized ads. However, Specialized also has a 1.95 Kevlar in soft Gray Compound
that has an entirely different tread pattern (smaller, narrower 'shovels', more
bidirectional and intermediate knobs). The 2.5 More Extreme looks closer to the
Gray 1.95 than the standard 1.95, but is still significantly different (It's shown 
in the new features section of this month's MTB Action).

So, assuming you choose the medium, 2.1 size Smoke Comp with a Kevlar bead (why wire?)
and skinwall (there was a side puncture thread a while ago, but I've never had 
problems with skinwalls) vs. the well known 1.95 wire bead More Extreme featured
in the Specialized Ads, I'd take the Smoke hands down. The main reason: weight.
I know Smoke's are reknowned heavy tires, but the 2.1 Comp is a respectable 620g
whereas the 'little' 1.95 tips the balance at a porky 690g (that's what specialized
claims, MTB Action and A bike store dude I talked to have both independently weighed
the More Extreme at a boat anchor like 790g). And you're not getting that more for
the weight, the 2.1 is still much wider, with aggressive square side knobs and 
*truly* bidirectional "bowties" that grip better than just about anything else
on the market.

Michael Wong
msw10@ras.amdahl.com

In article <0arj02.R297F01@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com>, msw10@nepenthe.as (Michael S.
Wong) says:
>
>May want to qualify this. They're several Smoke's, and while riders I know
>find
>that the 2.1 is excellent, others I've talked to claim the 1.9 Lite sucks.
>However,
>which ever Smoke you choose (1.9, 2.1, or 2.2), they all have approximately
>the
>same
>tread pattern.
>
>The More Extreme, on the other hand, comes in 3 entirely different tread
>patterns.
>The most  well known is the standard 1.95 wire bead version that's shown in
>the
>Specialized ads. However, Specialized also has a 1.95 Kevlar in soft Gray
>Compound
>that has an entirely different tread pattern (smaller, narrower 'shovels',
>more
>bidirectional and intermediate knobs). The 2.5 More Extreme looks closer to
>the
>Gray 1.95 than the standard 1.95, but is still significantly different (It's
>shown
>in the new features section of this month's MTB Action).

be careful on the names versus treads.  Specialized makes a Ground Control
Extreme, the More Extreme, and The Extreme.  The More extreme is currently
only available (to the general public) in the 1..95 version (standard
metal cord, black rubber).  Accorind to my Specialized Rep, there are plans
in the making for selling a kevlar cord, gray compound more extreme - with
something like 150 g in weight savings.

So your comparison of the Kevalr bead smoke to the standard more extreme
in terms of weight, isn't all that relevant.  I'll admit the More
Extremes are heavier comparing steel bead to a Kevlar beaded tire.

>and skinwall (there was a side puncture thread a while ago, but I've never had
>problems with skinwalls) vs. the well known 1.95 wire bead More Extreme       d
>feature

I've always hade sidewall puncture problems.  WIth Smokes, Ground control's
(and Extremes) and the More Extremes.  My only remedy has been to do all
of my training with a Ground Control Black Max on the front (where
most of my problems have been - I still use a More Extreme on the
rear).

As far as tire width, I would bet that if you put the two tires side
by side, you wouldn't notice the difference in width.  Granted, the extra
size in the 2.1 " smoke does provide some natural suspension, however.

But as a rear tire, I haven't found a tire that has better traction
over the widest range of conditions, that the More Extreme.

Have Fun!!.

Bryan