by Igor
Tires. Oh man, I'm about to open a can of worms. You know what? No. We've tested, used, and worn out a lot of tires over the years and the Panaracer Pasela is the best balance of comfort, smoothness, weight, handling, durability, affordability, and aesthetics for on-road and light offroad touring. At the end of the day, it's not the tires that make a bike or rider, it's the motor that's turning the pedals.
Maybe it's just Clint and me, but a variation on the old black and tan is in order. We've been eyeing these Fairweather tires from our Japan dealer BlueLug for a while. They're made in collaboration with Fairweather's styling specs and Panaracer's manufacteuring. Are they a bit on the bold side? Yes, but BlueLug does a lot of bold custom paintjobs on their imported frames. Check out their Flickr: https://secure.flickr.com/photos/bluelug/
We've imported 2 colors in the 700x28 size: Rust and Algae. 243g each and feature a light herringbone style tread.
And 2 colors in the 700x38 size: Cream and Brown. 369g each and feature the classic Pasela style tread pattern.
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24 comments:
I like my tires like I like my coffee--strong and black. I ride in too much foul weather to keep tan sidewalls clean, and ISTRC Jobst making some comments on the role of carbon black in tires that struck a chord or two.
I've been running non-TG Pasela blackwalls for past couple of years without any trouble. I'm currently trying some Vittoria Randonneurs that are incredibly thick and that measure about 25mm (instead of the advertised 28mm) but which are "OK". I got 'em used and cheap, so I can live with them for a little while.
It's good that there are choices, though.
700x32 would get me to try them. Currently running Jack Browns on my Pass Hunter.
I have 32mm Paselas on my town bike. They are rugged and well made, but not any where near as comfortable and smooth rolling as the 37mm Continental Contacts on my Surly. I bought Comfort Contacts for the Camargue, which will be set up for riding unpaved rail trails.
How 'bout 700x35; avoid light creamy colors that soil easy -
Do these have the hypertex or tourguard casings from Panaracer? I've had really good luck with the hypertex - flat resistant like tourguard but more supple.
The tire colors are a nice touch!
So the 28 is a Cerf for $10 less... sounds perfect. What would I like to see in my next tire? A black and tan Fairweather 700 x28 :)
Black and tan may be more quotidien than these Fairweather color options but it works on any bike.
Thanks for giving us more options!
Oh yeah, I'd be very happy if I could still buy non-tourguard/pt paselas in black/tan with a folding bead - the perfect inexpensive tire. Seems only the PT version is available with folding bead now.
Would love to have a nice lightweight 700x40 smooth skinwall for my tandem and campeur. How about 650bx42 skinwall? The only option now is the GB Hetre and it's quite pricey.
Wow, they look just like my old Criterium Setas.
Phil Brown
Rust in 42mm!
I like the idea of crème colored tires but they go pretty shabby looking after a ride or two.
Are these puncture-protected in any way?
@ A- no puncture proof belt under the tread on these tires. Just the panaracer original ZSG compound and made from natural rubber.
Glad to hear there is no puncture protection! Too heavy and slow. I love the algae color. A 650 x 42b in algae would be awesome!
Do you know what the ACTUAL width of the tires are when mounted and inflated? Every "700x28" Pasela I've mounted has been about 26.5mm. After riding a supple tire that's a true 28mm wide (Schwalbe ONE), I don't have much interest in going back to something narrower than advertised. Cheers.
@tamaso,
Mounted on a PBP rim, it measures 27.8mm. On a Ksyrium, it measures 28.3mm. Both inflated to 105psi and ridden this morning.
It's definitely not uncommon for tires to be labeled one size and measure smaller for weight, especially true when you get into the high dollar racing and event tires.
@VeloOrange, Great! Thanks for the info!
Do they make a Traveler with the herringbone tread in a 700 x 32? Because that would be awesome and would be a nice replacement for my 700x32 Soma New Express tires (in brick) once they wear out.
How about actual width on the 38c's?
Thanks!
Those tires look fantastic, and true that Panaracer tires roll so nice...... I've tested many an all road tire in my day, and the Panaracer Paselas are quick and grippy.
the low hysteresis of Panaracers' tire carcass are what makes panaracer made tires (generally) so plush and fast.
Way to bring some natural toned tires out, i think they look great.
I see the Fairweather 700x28 is available in Black & tan on their site...
Import the 700x28 black and tan please! It's the replacement for the no longer available folding bead, non-belted Pasela in black/tan. Would love to be able to buy these though VO.
Those Fairweathers look like what I've been wanting! Plain ol' Paselas, but with a folding bead and without those stupid sipes in the tread. Please do try to import some of the regular black and tan ones, as boring as they may be. :)
@Web and ThermionicScott
The Black & Tans have arrived. Should be available shortly.
Anyone find these to be hard to mount? I have a pair of paselas on my other bike, and didn't have any trouble mounting those, but these were pretty difficult to get on and I got a pinch flat on my first ride. Liked the ride though and the rust looks great!
Please! A very supple, light 28 mm to 35 mm 559 bsd tire!
ok, ok... my 'too good to pass up" meter is flickering madly, just one question: what's the casing thread-count? Whether or not this matters is up for debate... just curious!
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