Classic & Vintage - Question please re wider (35-37mm) Paselas

I generally use 23mm tires on my road bikes. Lately, I have been putting 28mm Panaracer Paselas on my sports/tour bikes and like them. They ride well on a variety of surfaces and have proven to be durable.

I'm thinking about trying 35's or 37's. What do you think of the wider tires? What difference can I expect in terms of performance?

Thanks

Bicycle Quarterly has a few articles on tire sizes, pros and cons.

The Dangers of Narrow Tires (http://janheine.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/the-dangers-of-narrow-tires/)

The Downsides of Wide Tires (http://janheine.wordpress.com/)

I've been pondering the same thing: putting some 700c rims on one of my 27 1/4" bikes, and riding bigger, lower pressure tires. It'd be cheaper than going full blown 650b route, and the 4mm difference should make room for some bigger tires.

jeirvine, I did just that and was able to fit a 37mm tire on my old gitane sports tourer. I went with a cheapy tire though, kenda kwest, and it kind of deadens the ride. so if you try it , it might be worth spending up a nicer tire. I have one I'm going to put on come spring.

If it's on a road bike, >32mm tires makes the ride too sluggish for me in my opinion. 28-32 is the sweet spot for a sport-tourer IMO.

If you want to try the Pasela in a 35 width, I have one of them that won't fit the intended recipient bike. If you would like it, you can have it for what it costs to ship it to you.

FWIW Pasela Tourguard 35s measure 32 for me. I used to ride 32s, which measured 28.

I generally use 23mm tires on my road bikes. Lately, I have been putting 28mm Panaracer Paselas on my sports/tour bikes and like them. They ride well on a variety of surfaces and have proven to be durable.

I'm thinking about trying 35's or 37's. What do you think of the wider tires? What difference can I expect in terms of performance?

Thanks

Wider tires are a gateway drug. Pretty soon you'll be exploring gravel and dirt roads. Next thing you know you're considering brevets, or -gasp- gravel grinders.

Wider tires are a gateway drug. Pretty soon you'll be exploring gravel and dirt roads. Next thing you know you're considering brevets, or -gasp- gravel grinders.

Actually, gravel grinders sound like a lot of fun.

I have 35mm Kenda tough pavement tires on one of my rides. Outfitted to be more robust than weight-conscious. At max pressure, the ride/resistance is not an issue for me on tarmac. After returning from dusty trails, I can see the bike is riding on < 10mm of tread on roads.
They've allowed me to tackle horse trails, canal paths, small gravel. I've enjoyed the versatility of wider spec tires and have been flat-free since Fall.

I have 35mm Kenda tough pavement tires on one of my rides. Outfitted to be more robust than weight-conscious. At max pressure, the ride/resistance is not an issue for me on tarmac. After returning from dusty trails, I can see the bike is riding on < 10mm of tread on roads.
They've allowed me to tackle horse trails, canal paths, small gravel. I've enjoyed the versatility of wider spec tires and have been flat-free since Fall.

Have you tried the SRP canal path east of Pima across the reservation? I rode part of it with 32's, which were generally OK accept for a rough spots and washouts.

If you want to try the Pasela in a 35 width, I have one of them that won't fit the intended recipient bike. If you would like it, you can have it for what it costs to ship it to you.

I'd be interested in that tire if the OP isn't. I have a set of 35's but one has the rubber molded off-center at one spot. It looks goofy and I swear I can feel it hop when I ride it but that could be my imagination I suppose. In any case, if the OP doesn't take you up on your offer, let me know and I'll find something to trade for it.

I just ordered a pair of 35s for my early 80s Peugeot. I'll post pics if it works out.
-J

I'd be interested in that tire if the OP isn't. I have a set of 35's but one has the rubber molded off-center at one spot. It looks goofy and I swear I can feel it hop when I ride it but that could be my imagination I suppose. In any case, if the OP doesn't take you up on your offer, let me know and I'll find something to trade for it.

Please go ahead. I just ordered a pair of 37's for my cross bike. Never in my life did I think that I'd put 37mm road tires on a bike. This should be fun.

I have different widths on different bikes. Pasela 35s on one bike measure 33 and I like them a lot. Conti and Pasela 32s on a couple other bikes measure 28 and 31 respectively. I am with Puget Pounder, in feeling that 28 - 32 provide the best widths for sport touring. Plenty of cushioning for a nice smooth ride while feeling nimble.

I have different widths on different bikes. Pasela 35s on one bike measure 33 and I like them a lot. Conti and Pasela 32s on a couple other bikes measure 28 and 31 respectively. I am with Puget Pounder, in feeling that 28 - 32 provide the best widths for sport touring. Plenty of cushioning for a nice smooth ride while feeling nimble.

I agree about 28's being the sweet spot for sport touring. I'm going to put these on my cyclocross for gravel trails.

I went from 25mm Pasela TG to 32mm. I think there was a slight increase in rolling resistance but that could be all in my mind cuz the ride is sooooooooooooooo smooooth, they just gotta be slower right? Both tires were ridden at max pressure. IMHO, go for it!

Paselas are nice. I'd also look at the T-Serv Pro for Messenger-- tons of wet grip, puncture resistant, tolerably lightweight with a folding bead, and reasonably priced. Nicer ride than the Paselas for my money, too.

Also, the Challenge Parigi-Rubaix are really a lovely ride, though a bit more expensive.

Have you tried the SRP canal path east of Pima across the reservation? I rode part of it with 32's, which were generally OK accept for a rough spots and washouts.

No, but looks like a nice one to try. I haven't managed to find a 'public' route to cross the Salt River at about Red Mountain-North Mesa. Google Maps claims bikes can cross at the end of E. Thomas Rd. But it's gated and looks like a construction quarry. I also tried at Power Rd/Bush Hwy. At the dam that feeds most of these canals. But I faced a DO NOT TRESPASS sign. The only known route presently is to head north on Gilbert Rd. to the Beeline Hwy. Off my beaten path.

Last week I tried the Consolidated Canal and Western Canal in the Southeast, to put in a birthday ride. Lot's of fun, I was on my cross bike, the wider tarmac tires had no trouble and I confidently kept a good pace on the loose stuff.

RFC, I'm semi new to running 35 mm tires on a road bike (rebranded Pasalas). Because of the drought causing extensive road damage I actually rode the touring bike much more than my roadie equipped with 23 mm tires last year, and probably will again this year. I haven't had a problem with setting tire pressure at 65 PSI when unladen.

Performance wise I do notice that the much heavier wheelset and tires are slower to accelerate, but not too different at cruise.

Brad

No, but looks like a nice one to try. I haven't managed to find a 'public' route to cross the Salt River at about Red Mountain-North Mesa. Google Maps claims bikes can cross at the end of E. Thomas Rd. But it's gated and looks like a construction quarry. I also tried at Power Rd/Bush Hwy. At the dam that feeds most of these canals. But I faced a DO NOT TRESPASS sign. The only known route presently is to head north on Gilbert Rd. to the Beeline Hwy. Off my beaten path.

Last week I tried the Consolidated Canal and Western Canal in the Southeast, to put in a birthday ride. Lot's of fun, I was on my cross bike, the wider tarmac tires had no trouble and I confidently kept a good pace on the loose stuff.

Last summer, on the spur of the moment, I rode part of the canal path from Pima east. It was a very hot day and I got about 10 miles in when I realized I would run out of water long before I got to Red Mountain and back, so I high tailed it home. There are no 7-11's on the reservation. I am going to ride it again this spring with adequate water. Those are mostly agricultural lands with lots of open ditch irrigation along the canal that appears to run year round. As a result, there are a whole series of "mini" ecosystems. I probably saw 30 species of birds, including a number I have never before seen in AZ.

RFC, I'm semi new to running 35 mm tires on a road bike (rebranded Pasalas). Because of the drought causing extensive road damage I actually rode the touring bike much more than my roadie equipped with 23 mm tires last year, and probably will again this year. I haven't had a problem with setting tire pressure at 65 PSI when unladen.

Performance wise I do notice that the much heavier wheelset and tires are slower to accelerate, but not too different at cruise.



Brad

Yes, acceleration is where you would notice the difference in weight. I didn't realize the TX drought damaged the roads.

Has anyone tried the Clement Strada folders in 700x28? Prices are very reasonable and, unlike many wider tires, they are available in all black. I prefer all black because I've found that tan sidewalls get really nasty looking after riding in the rain a few times.

I'm using Conti GP 4 Season 28s right now and they are excellent, relatively light weight and low rolling resistance. However, the prices for Conti tires have gone through the roof lately.

I'm running 32 Pasellas on 2 of my bikes, 37s on another and 35s on yet another. I really like them. I'm using Vittoria Hyper Randos (35) on my Bianchi Volpe and REALLY like them, roll fast and give a nice ride. That said, Pasellas are my favorite reasonably priced tires. Run em!

I recently bought Pasela TGs in 27x1-1/4 (630-32) and found they measured 31.3 mm at 80 psig. They also had the newer V-shaped tread. Very smooth ride. You may want to stay with the 27" rims.

I changed my Trek 400 from Panaracer Dual 28s to Pasela 32s. Loved the change.

Changed the Trek 620 from 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 Paselas. Loved the change

I've got an old Trek 736, it's a "race" bike and it's rolling with 20s on it... Is it wrong to want to find some Pasela 28s for it? (the 32s won't fit- I tried.)

I changed my Trek 400 from Panaracer Dual 28s to Pasela 32s. Loved the change.

Changed the Trek 620 from 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 Paselas. Loved the change

I've got an old Trek 736, it's a "race" bike and it's rolling with 20s on it... Is it wrong to want to find some Pasela 28s for it? (the 32s won't fit- I tried.)

I think the 20 mm tires are more out of place on a 620, which I always thought of as a sport tourer, than the 28 mm tires would be.

Brad

I've used both the Pasela TG 32s and the non-TG 35s, and I much prefer the latter. I agree with other posters that they're undersize. I commute in NYC and haven't had any punctures with either one, but the TG tires feel "dead" compared to the non-TG. Some of the Paselas seem to be a bit roundness-challenged (radial runout), but while it's aggravating, it isn't enough to notice while riding; though if you have fenders, and the fit is tight, that might be a problem.

Update: The 35's I got for my U014 Peugeot did not fit - just not enough clearance. The good news is that the 700c wheelset with the Pasela 35s fit just dandy on my Super Course, and I love 'em. I keep them at about 85psi and they roll nice and smooth. And since VO had fenders on sale, I went ahead and did the fake 650b thing. Why not?

http://www.thejennifers.com/Bike_Pics/SuperCourse/p1000127a.jpg

That's pretty... Need a cork stopper for the water-bottle, though. :-P

The bike looks great!

I have Pasela 35's on my Cross Check. I haven't given them a good test, because the bike turned out disappointingly heavy. My vernier caliper says they are 37mm in actual width. I'm using CR18 rims. I have a feeling that my favorite will prove to be 28mm, but I don't know yet.

Read about the Vittoria Hyper Randonneur tire. It gets incredibly favorable reviews. It's available in 35mm. Do not confuse this with the Vittoria Randonneur. You definitely want the Hyper. I know at least one person who switched from Pasela to the Hyper Rando and say it's even awesomer than the Pasela.

I've always enjoyed the 27 x 1 1/4 ride; 28 - 32 x 700 is a similar ride to me, and one that I really like.

I have Pasela 35's on my Cross Check. I haven't given them a good test, because the bike turned out disappointingly heavy. My vernier caliper says they are 37mm in actual width. I'm using CR18 rims. I have a feeling that my favorite will prove to be 28mm, but I don't know yet.

Read about the Vittoria Hyper Randonneur tire. It gets incredibly favorable reviews. It's available in 35mm. Do not confuse this with the Vittoria Randonneur. You definitely want the Hyper. I know at least one person who switched from Pasela to the Hyper Rando and say it's even awesomer than the Pasela.

I have the VHS in 28 on one bike. LOVE it!

I've always enjoyed the 27 x 1 1/4 ride; 28 - 32 x 700 is a similar ride to me, and one that I really like.

A little nit-pick: 28mm = 1-1/8". 32mm = 1-1/4".

A little nit-pick: 28mm = 1-1/8". 32mm = 1-1/4".

Absolutely correct - I'm only saying that the "feel" of the ride at 28 - 32 is very similar to my experience on 27 x 1 1/4. Given the history of the 27, perhaps the reason so many of us find the 700c sweet spot to be in the 28 - 32 range.

Hmm. I've had a totally different experience from everyone else! I decided to try 28mm Paselas on my Raleigh Pro and I felt like they turned my nice racing bike into a mountain bike. I'll wear them out because I paid for them, but to me it feels like riding on two fat slugs. Never again for me, but to each his or her own. They look great on the Super Course above.

http://www.thejennifers.com/Bike_Pics/SuperCourse/p1000127a.jpg

My, that's a pretty bike.

That's pretty... Need a cork stopper for the water-bottle, though. :-P

Thanks. The fashionably retro aluminum bottle was 95 cents at Goodwill.

Update: The 35's I got for my U014 Peugeot did not fit - just not enough clearance. The good news is that the 700c wheelset with the Pasela 35s fit just dandy on my Super Course, and I love 'em. I keep them at about 85psi and they roll nice and smooth. And since VO had fenders on sale, I went ahead and did the fake 650b thing. Why not?

http://www.thejennifers.com/Bike_Pics/SuperCourse/p1000127a.jpg

That looks awesome! :thumb: