I saw the Smoke at Performance Bike on the clearance rack for $17, and I figured: "Hmmm...what the heck, let's give 'em a try, they can't be any worse than the Bontrager Revolts on my bike now." Good Move. For the price...this tire rocks.
The Smoke is billed as a rear-only tire (with the Dart being its front end companion). On recent rides to Colts Neck and Schaeffer Farm this tire bit into everything it came into contact with, and helped me up every climb without even a twitch. The tire seems pretty soft and relatively sticky. I've had better luck with the Smoke than some tires that are twice its price. I've read some reviews that criticize this tire for not performing on paved surfaces, and I wonder to myself: "Why are you riding this type of tire on pavement? If you've got a MTB tire on your bike, ride it on an off-road surface." It seems to me that these folks are asking the Smoke to do something for which it was never designed to do. You wouldn't buy a black magic marker and use it for a highlighter, would you?
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a solid XC tire - that is easy on the wallet, its been found. Have a Smoke.
