IRC Formula Pro X-Guard TL tubeless tyre

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

IRC says, "With an extra-wide tread and a new puncture-resistant belt, the Formula Pro Tubeless X-Guard is the toughest tire in the Formula Pro line. The X-Guard Belt++ covers the tire sidewall from bead to bead with a 40x40 TPI anti-puncture protection barrier.

"Unlike other puncture-resistant tires, the X-Guard sacrifices nothing when it comes to riding in dry and wet conditions. If road hazards are a concern, this is the tire for you."

It's a fast rolling tyre that has the durability for year round use.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From IRC distributor The Cycle Clinic's website:

Introducing the new IRC Formula Pro X Guard TL tyre. By covering the entire surface of the tire with a 40x40tpi mesh puncture-resistant guard, we have achieved amazing puncture-resistant performance. By adding a new RBCC to the strongest road tubeless tire that is also strong against side cuts, we achieved a dramatic improvement in grip from the previous work.

New RBCC installed in all FORMULA PRO series products

The RBCC, which has gained tremendous support for its firm grip in cornering and wet conditions, has been installed in all products in this series. While maintaining rolling resistance, grip, abrasion resistance, and significant weather resistance have been improved. The new tyre allows a wider setting range of air pressure due to improved grip.

Redesigned tread with a pattern that emphasizes controllability

Adopted tread & pattern to enhance controllability

Continuing from the previous work, which was renewed from the slick, this time the center has adopted the Sugime pattern. The behavior near the limit, such as the start of tire slippage, is easier to understand and the controllable character is strengthened. In addition, rolling resistance was reduced by adding four grooves in the circumferential direction.

Compatible with disc brakes and wide rims

The tubeless tyre, which has a structure in which the tire bead is pressed against the rim from the inside with air to retain air, is characterized by high safety due to the high degree of adhesion between the rim and the tire, but with the new FORMULA PRO series, the key is Further strengthening around the bead. We have succeeded in further improving safety so that it can withstand the stronger force applied by the disc brakes and pothole impacts. In accordance with the tubeless rim standards reviewed in 2019, it is also compatible with wide rims.

25mm tyre is 300g, 28mm tyre is 340g and 30mm tyre is 370g.

80psi is the suggested max pressure. IRC state a max pressure of the sidewalls which half the max pressure at which blow off occurs in tests. I.e 90 to 115 psi means blow occurs at 180 to 230 psi. Hense my max suggested pressure. You dont need higher.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Fast rolling and can cope with the debris found on winter roads.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

A great balance between performance and durability.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

A struggle to fit when new on some rims.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

They are at the upper end of the marketplace, but are reasonably competitive against the likes of the Michelin and Goodyear offerings mentioned in the review.

Use this box to explain your overall score

They can be a little tricky to fit initially, but once in place their performance and grip levels are very good indeed.