Panaracer Smoke question....

[MiniNinjaRob]

I'm pretty good at remembering stuff from BITD, but I think my memory may be failing me or something.
Were Panaracer Smokes originally designed to be used on the front and rear of a bike, then the Dart introduced later? I've seen plenty of bikes with the Smoke/Dart combo but I can't recall seeing Smokes both ends, as I remember them when they first came out.
I love the look of Smokes and would LOVE to get a pair but I never see any for sale. I can't stand Darts, no idea why!!

 

[Matthews]

I've always used smokes both ends without any probs, still do BTW.
Matthew

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

I've always used smokes both ends without any probs, still do BTW.
Matthew

Sweet - I wish I'd seen those re-issue ones available a bit back, it's a nightmare trying to find some. :-(

 

[benbonty]

Were Panaracer Smokes originally designed to be used on the front and rear of a bike, then the Dart introduced later

Thats correct, smokes arrived in 1991 and were sold as front AND rear, they were often specified on new bikes both front and rear. Dart apperared in 1992 when front and rear specific tyres started to appear.

 

[neil__j]

My 1993 KHS came fitted with Smoke Lites front and rear, though I did end up buying a Dart soon after.

 

[benbonty]

My 1993 KHS came fitted with Smoke Lites front and rear, though I did end up buying a Dart soon after.

My 1993 Diamond Back Apex had front and rear smokes, like you I soon upgraded to a dart, BIG improvement! wish they were all still available....... In amberwall of course!

 

[Maxipedia]

A little question in this context: when did the Duster appear (and I don't mean the Plymouth pony by that)? As far as I can remember it was visibly bigger than a Dart, meaning that it had a bigger volume...

I also keep in mind that the last issues of the Dart were sold as Dart/Smoke. Is that correct?

Mx

 

[FluffyChicken]

My 1993 KHS came fitted with Smoke Lites front and rear, though I did end up buying a Dart soon after.

My 1993 Diamond Back Apex had front and rear smokes, like you I soon upgraded to a dart, BIG improvement! wish they were all still available....... In amberwall of course!

They are
though not in amber
http://www.panaracer.com/eng/products/mtb/xc.html#i

 

[minor_LEGEND]

yeah my Diamond Back Apex had 2.1 smokes fr & back. Lethal on the front. The square profile giving literally no warning when it was going to break away & wash out.

I too never liked the Dart, it just looked like it wasnt going to work all that well, so I much preferred a Tioga Psycho up front. Smoke lites in the 1.9" width were great in sticky/wet conditions.

 

[dicoverybmw]

Am I right in thinking that it was the done thing to run a wide Dart on the front and a narrower smoke on the rear or is my memory failing too????