hokiefyd 

I have two pairs of 38-622 Panaracer Paselas on two different bikes. Both sets seem about the same in that the rubber compound on the sidewalls seems pretty sticky/tacky. So much so that I can hardly touch the tires without transfer of anything that may be on my hands. A drag of a greasy chain or a brake pad (such as when installing the wheel or adjusting a brake) will easily create a black mark and the sticky nature of the sidewalls mean they're pretty difficult to clean. I can usually lift the color off with a lot of scrubbing, but it's somewhat of a repetitive process for someone like me who likes stuff to look clean. Many of my other modern tires have a much slicker sidewall compound...almost like a matte vs. glossy finish. I'm thinking tires from Continental, Schwalbe, Vittoria, Kenda, etc. These tires clean up with a simple wet wipe.

Is the "sticky" rubber sidewall a characteristic of all Pasela tires? Or even all Panaracer tires? Are the GravelKings similarly sticky/tacky? One of my other choices is a Vittoria Terreno Zero and, if the 40-622 is the same as my 47-584s, I know the rubber will be soft but also smooth and easy to clean. Do you all have good experience with any other tanwall tire in the 38-42mm variety (622mm rims) that is easy to maintain and keep clean?

merziac

Magic eraser and maybe dish soap?

This is why I like Gatorskins and GP 4 Seasons, pretty dark and hide plenty. Don't get me wrong, I love me some old fashioned tan walls BUT as you point out, a real PITA to keep clean.

cb400bill

P!N20

^ The fine print on those auto products usually includes a line to the effect of 'don't use on bicycle tires'. I'm sure it's probably low risk, but I second guess myself and conclude that a bit of dirt isn't that bad.

I've had good results using detergent free baby wipes on my tires.

Chuck M 

When I was a kid, I cleaned the whole tire with Son of a Gun. Fortunately I didn't get overspray on the wheels so the brakes still worked when things got crazy on a brick road.

ThermionicScott 

I think tanwalls require a more Zen mindset: they are impermanence in motion. If they don't turn gray from brake slurry or get marks from chain grease, they will still dry out and blanch in the sun.

P.S.: A thread I started on this topic a few years ago: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...sidewalls.html

steelbikeguy

I guess I've divided my bikes into "sunny day bikes" and "work bikes". The work bikes get ridden in all conditions and cleanliness is not the top priority. These bikes tend to get black or dark sidewalls, and the sunny day bikes get the good gumwalls (such as the Veloflex Master).

sunny day bike:



work bike:


Steve in Peoria

krakhaus 

The GP5000's come in tan now.

polymorphself 

Where can we see more pictures of the work bike?

steelbikeguy

I've had this bike for 21 years, and have posted pics of the bike in various threads. Here are a few that show the proper drive side perspective, or show it at work, etc.









Steve in Peoria

scratchpaddy

I have had both Paselas and (smooth) GravelKings, and the Kings were significantly harder to stain, and easier to clean, no worse than blackwall tires, really. I cannot recommend them, though. The GravelKings were the most fragile, flat-prone tires I have ever used. After less than 2,500 miles, they were already worn down to the carcass in spots, and I was delighted to throw them away. Nice ride, but not worth the worry.

Simple Green and a small nylon brush are my tools for cleaning tires. Even the Paselas come clean with a little extra effort.

hokiefyd 

Thanks for the affirmation on the Paselas -- that other tires, or at least the GKs, are harder to stain and easier to clean.

I really do like the Vittoria Terreno Zeros I have on my hybrid. I have them in 47-584 size but they also make them in 40-622 in a "brownwall" color and they're reportedly very robust tires. I'd prefer the lighter tan like my current Paselas have. I'll try some of the suggestions in this thread to see if I find success with them.

C9H13N 

If only there were tires with sidewalls the color of chain grease…

himespau 

But blackwalls are nowhere near as sexy as gumwalls.

Mr. 66

I use auto tire cleaner and a light paint or maybe a soft tooth brush, they work great. Make sure you are not using a tire shine product, that can make for a slippery time.

Chombi1 

I heartily agree......
Never seen a blackwall tire that I liked. Even my first ever 10 speed bike when I was a kid, had gumwall tires.

Velo Mule

We used to call them Skinwalls. The sidewall look and feel like tubulars. These tires have only a thin covering of latex on them. The old Panaracers and the Schwinn Super Records were what we would call skinwalls. Gum Walls like the Kenda K35's have a much thicker coating on them and I don't know if that is latex or something else.

I like skin walls. I don't particularly care for the heavier gum walls like the K35's.

Of course the look on 60's, 70's and 80's lightweight bikes was skinwalls. And they would look like dull and greyish after a while and then the latex would come off when they got old leaving bare cotton thread.

steelbikeguy

just to provide a visual aid.. I've still got the Vittoria sew-ups (a.k.a. tubulars) that came with my 1974 Raleigh International. Not fancy silks, but good cotton sew-ups. This is what they look like (the two tires in the foreground). In the background is the International, with Veloflex Master tires. The Masters are very close in appearance to the vintage Vittorias, and ride very well too.



Steve in Peoria

himespau 

I haven't seen masters available for sale in a year or more. Did they get discontinued, do I not know how to google, or is it just a supply chain issue thing?

steelbikeguy

it's been a while since I looked, but I think they were renamed.
checking my tire closet.... I've got a pair of Veloflex Corsa EVO, which seem to be the same as the Master. Very light and supple! i.e. not going to last a long time, but will be nice to ride.

Steve in Peoria

Classtime 

My gravel king slicks in 32 are my current commuter tires ridden on L. A. streets and are drying clean and flat free as any tire.

tkamd73 

Tan walls are like white bar tape, only look good until used a few times. Great for wall hangers though.
Tim

hokiefyd 

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the responses. My wife has some Magic Erasers and I'll try that first. Simple Green if MEs don't work.