Ode to the Pasela: A Redundant Thread
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
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Ode to the Pasela: A Redundant Thread
OK - I know that it has been said before, but the Panaracer Pasela tires are really nice.
I bought two pair when Bike Tires Direct had them on sale. One pair in 27 -1 1/8" and one in 1 1/4" Wanted the 1 1/4" but was not certain that they would fit between the chainstays on my 1985 ST500 Cannondale. Got them to fit (barely) and really like them. They have a nice smooth, fast ride and look "right" on the touring oriented ST500. I might get the Tourguard model if I was going cross country but otherwise very satisfied with the basic model.
Please purchase lots of Paselas so they keep making them!
I bought two pair when Bike Tires Direct had them on sale. One pair in 27 -1 1/8" and one in 1 1/4" Wanted the 1 1/4" but was not certain that they would fit between the chainstays on my 1985 ST500 Cannondale. Got them to fit (barely) and really like them. They have a nice smooth, fast ride and look "right" on the touring oriented ST500. I might get the Tourguard model if I was going cross country but otherwise very satisfied with the basic model.
Please purchase lots of Paselas so they keep making them!
#3
Forum Moderator
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 22,924
Likes: 10,352
From: Kalamazoo
I have used both the regular and the TG Paselas in various sizes on a number of bikes. Great tires at a very affordable price.






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Carbon: Fuji SL2.1 Di2.......Aluminum: Cannondale Synapse 105........Steel: Vintage Specialized Sirrus
...
Carbon: Fuji SL2.1 Di2.......Aluminum: Cannondale Synapse 105........Steel: Vintage Specialized Sirrus
...
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 740
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From: Ohio
Bikes: 1973 Mercian Pro, 1972-73 Peugeot Track, 1983 Lotus Competition, Early 1970s Bottecchia Pro/Giro, 2000 Bob Jackson Special Tourist, 2011 Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen; 1996 Franklin custom
I use folding Pasela TGs on the 2 bikes I ride the most. They might not be the absolute best tire out there, but they perform well and they're an excellent value, especially when purchased on sale.
#5
Thrifty Bill

Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
I "liked" them on Facebook. Consider doing that as well.
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Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Likes: 39
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
I've read countless praises on the Paselas through the years, but I just can't get over the tire's name..."Pasela" just sounds like some kind of Mexican food or something......not very sporty or "classic" sounding at all....Does anyone know if it even means something in some language?? I suspect we might be dealing with another "Haagen Dazs" here.....

Chombi


Chombi
#7
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
I've read countless praises on the Paselas through the years, but I just can't get over the tire's name..."Pasela" just sounds like some kind of Mexican food or something......not very sporty or "classic" sounding at all....Does anyone know if it even means something in some language?? I suspect we might be dealing with another "Haagen Dazs" here.....

Chombi


Chombi
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
I've read countless praises on the Paselas through the years, but I just can't get over the tire's name..."Pasela" just sounds like some kind of Mexican food or something......not very sporty or "classic" sounding at all....Does anyone know if it even means something in some language?? I suspect we might be dealing with another "Haagen Dazs" here.....



#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Likes: 39
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Good thing with Pledge is it is not too harsh on most things. Gum tire sidewalls tend to be sensitive to harsh solvents that can dry them out as are brake lever hoods.
Chombi
#11
Carpe Velo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,519
Likes: 18
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
Apart from a small village in Nepal, I've no clue.
#12
Carpe Velo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,519
Likes: 18
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
Just ordered a set in 26x1.5 to replace to replace the smooth tread tires I bought from Performance because it was what they had. I like the tread on them, just enough bite for some dirt and gravel if needed, but not overkill like knobbies. I already have a pair of TG's on my tandem.
#13
likes to ride an old bike
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: Madison
We have the 26x1.5" non-TG on my partner's MB-2 road conversion. Very cushy, nice and fast -- you don't feel like you're fighting the tires. *much* better ride quality than "commuter" tires.
Looking forward to upgrading the tandem to 700x32c Paselas. Not sure if I want the Kevlar belt or not...
Looking forward to upgrading the tandem to 700x32c Paselas. Not sure if I want the Kevlar belt or not...
#15
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 378
Likes: 3
From: Oslo, Norway
Bikes: 1951 Armand Carlsen, 1969 DBS Deluxe, 1949 Diamant, 1978 DBS Winner Tandem, 1955 Herkules... to infinity and beyond!
I've found a way to "drag" oil and grime off the sidewalls with a stiff nylon brush. Brush must be applied sideways with your thumb pressing the bristles hard down on the tire. The action feels like I imagine waxing off hairs does. There's a lot of resistance, then snap the brush drags a whole flake of grime off. Doesn't abrade the tire at all.
With this I just got a pair of White Paselas sparkly clean using a detergent no stronger than dish soap. Wish I discovered this years ago.
With this I just got a pair of White Paselas sparkly clean using a detergent no stronger than dish soap. Wish I discovered this years ago.
#16
I always thought it sounded like the name of a small gazelle or a similar animal--so to me it sounds both retro (naming things after animals) and sporty (gazelle are fast!).
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Likes: 39
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
#19
Larger Chainring
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 1
From: Corvallis, Oregon
Bikes: 1988 Schwinn Circuit. Bike-Boom-Puegeot. First "real bike" Trek 720 Hybrid in gross disrepair.

Excuse the mix-matched rims. Over 2,000 miles this summer and not a solitary flat on them.
I used to ride bottom-of-the-barrel tires and Paselas were my first "good tire." What an improvement. Then of course I got a new wheelset with high-zoot tires and they felt so slow. Then after like a hundred miles the other tires were flatting left and right. I decided I liked a little more sluggish tire that was essentially impenetrable.
#20
Forum Moderator
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 22,924
Likes: 10,352
From: Kalamazoo
I have had great results cleaning gumwall tires with Westley's Bleche White.
__________________
Carbon: Fuji SL2.1 Di2.......Aluminum: Cannondale Synapse 105........Steel: Vintage Specialized Sirrus
...
Carbon: Fuji SL2.1 Di2.......Aluminum: Cannondale Synapse 105........Steel: Vintage Specialized Sirrus
...
#21
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,172
Likes: 6,404
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I'm so grateful to bikeforums for learning about the Pasela. It would be a bargain even if the price were higher. It makes any bike feel lighter.
The sidewall is a little delicate, so it doesn't suit every purpose, but I love them. I haven't tried the Tourguard version yet or the folding version. Are they the same? I should try it already, huh?
The sidewall is a little delicate, so it doesn't suit every purpose, but I love them. I haven't tried the Tourguard version yet or the folding version. Are they the same? I should try it already, huh?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#22
likes to ride an old bike
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: Madison
The sad part is that they don't sell Non-TG/Folding Bead. Maybe they think of Non-TG as a budgetary decision only, like everybody would get TourGuard if they could afford it? I'd buy Non-TG/Folding if they offered it.
#23
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 139
From: Rural Western Wisconsin
Bikes: Down to 4 vintage touring machines
+1 - I hadn't heard of them before BF and all of the good comments coaxed me to try some. I put a 23c set on my le Champion and love them. Again thanks to BF for a sale thread a couple of weeks ago I ordered a set of TG 27 x 1 1/4 for my Cannondale ST400. I love the extra width and took them out for a 40+ mile inaugural ride yesterday and they provided a very comfortable ride with minimal rolling resistance.
#24
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,172
Likes: 6,404
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I seem to be the only one who notices how tires sound. Does anyone notice the whooshy sound Paselas make? I hear it from the front wheel. It's a good sign.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#25
Doing my bit.
I "discovered" pasellas when the owner of a bike shop I go to in a nearby city drug out a pair of 1" non tour guard in 27". He said that he had been hanging on to them only because I was the only person in the world he knew of who could use them. Really liked them, so started buying them in larger sizes for other bikes.
Funny thing, the 1" tire looks about half the width of the 1-1/4". Of course, they are on different rims, but the difference is amazing.
An old guy around my area likes them because he claims they give the closest to a tubular ride for the money than anything else he has tried, not sure about how right that is, but it made me feel better about not spending to much on my tires.
I "discovered" pasellas when the owner of a bike shop I go to in a nearby city drug out a pair of 1" non tour guard in 27". He said that he had been hanging on to them only because I was the only person in the world he knew of who could use them. Really liked them, so started buying them in larger sizes for other bikes.
Funny thing, the 1" tire looks about half the width of the 1-1/4". Of course, they are on different rims, but the difference is amazing.
An old guy around my area likes them because he claims they give the closest to a tubular ride for the money than anything else he has tried, not sure about how right that is, but it made me feel better about not spending to much on my tires.





