Pasela ProTite vs Red Label for us 2nd tier riders
12-22-21, 03:09 PM
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Pasela ProTite vs Red Label for us 2nd tier riders
Just to qualify things, I am older and in the flatlands in NW Ohio. That means sub 25mph, patched and cracked roads and few curves. To me, Paselas are the next rung up from Kendas, and I would not likely ever be in a situation where I could appreciate tubulars or $50 tires.
With that being said, some recent Paselas in the red label were quite a surprise. I have several pairs of the more readily available ProTites on 3 bikes. With the 27” tire shortage of the last couple years, I grabbed what was available and got the non ProTite Paselas for my SuperSport. I obviously am not sporty, but was quite surprised with the difference of road feel. The red labels were quite bad in city riding on the stiff framed SuperSport, but quite responsive to me overall.
I guess I am learning as I go at my late age. So, I swapped out the red labeled ones without the puncture protection on my SuperSport for the ProTites. I will save the red labels for an upcoming build where they will be more appropriate. As a data point, the added flat protection ProTites we’re about 387 grams to about 372 grams as best as I could measure? I did some searching and didn’t find much on these. Any thoughts?
With that being said, some recent Paselas in the red label were quite a surprise. I have several pairs of the more readily available ProTites on 3 bikes. With the 27” tire shortage of the last couple years, I grabbed what was available and got the non ProTite Paselas for my SuperSport. I obviously am not sporty, but was quite surprised with the difference of road feel. The red labels were quite bad in city riding on the stiff framed SuperSport, but quite responsive to me overall.
I guess I am learning as I go at my late age. So, I swapped out the red labeled ones without the puncture protection on my SuperSport for the ProTites. I will save the red labels for an upcoming build where they will be more appropriate. As a data point, the added flat protection ProTites we’re about 387 grams to about 372 grams as best as I could measure? I did some searching and didn’t find much on these. Any thoughts?
Last edited by sd5782; 12-22-21 at 03:11 PM. Reason: Punctuation
12-22-21, 04:19 PM
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Paselas are excellent tires, but you would probably find that you CAN feel the difference with a high quality, lightweight supple tire, although they aren’t likely to be found in 27”. Your patched and cracked pavement will reveal the improvement.
12-22-21, 04:35 PM
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As an oldster myself let me offer a perspective.
I love tires that absorb bumps - so supple sidewalls and more air volume are a positive. On rougher pavement there are more bumps to smooth so even greater reason for tires that give a little. I try to buy the best tires - tubular or clincher.
True-ism = better to ride a middling frame with great wheels+tires, than a great frame with middling wheels+tires.
Durability is a separate issue.
Regular commuting is a separate issue.
Goatheads or glass - separate issue.
The best first upgrade on most bikes is tires. Yes, the expensive ones because there is no such thing as a 2nd tier cyclist. Especially if 25 mph is the criteria!
Edit: oops, 27”. There are only lesser bad tires. Sorry, forget about me.
I love tires that absorb bumps - so supple sidewalls and more air volume are a positive. On rougher pavement there are more bumps to smooth so even greater reason for tires that give a little. I try to buy the best tires - tubular or clincher.
True-ism = better to ride a middling frame with great wheels+tires, than a great frame with middling wheels+tires.
Durability is a separate issue.
Regular commuting is a separate issue.
Goatheads or glass - separate issue.
The best first upgrade on most bikes is tires. Yes, the expensive ones because there is no such thing as a 2nd tier cyclist. Especially if 25 mph is the criteria!
Edit: oops, 27”. There are only lesser bad tires. Sorry, forget about me.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 12-22-21 at 04:41 PM.
12-22-21, 04:39 PM
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I had to look up Goat heads. Had no idea what they were.
As an oldster myself let me offer a perspective.
I love tires that absorb bumps - so supple sidewalls and more air volume are a positive. On rougher pavement there are more bumps to smooth so even greater reason for tires that give a little. I try to buy the best tires - tubular or clincher.
True-ism = better to ride a middling frame with great wheels+tires, than a great frame with middling wheels+tires.
Durability is a separate issue.
Regular commuting is a separate issue.
Goatheads or glass - separate issue.
The best first upgrade on most bikes is tires. Yes, the expensive ones because there is no such thing as a 2nd tier cyclist. Especially if 25 mph is the criteria!
I love tires that absorb bumps - so supple sidewalls and more air volume are a positive. On rougher pavement there are more bumps to smooth so even greater reason for tires that give a little. I try to buy the best tires - tubular or clincher.
True-ism = better to ride a middling frame with great wheels+tires, than a great frame with middling wheels+tires.
Durability is a separate issue.
Regular commuting is a separate issue.
Goatheads or glass - separate issue.
The best first upgrade on most bikes is tires. Yes, the expensive ones because there is no such thing as a 2nd tier cyclist. Especially if 25 mph is the criteria!
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
12-22-21, 04:45 PM
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A few thoughts - one's speed and/or age shouldn't be reasons to not enjoy the benefits of good tires. They can be one of the most impactful changes in how a bike 'feels', and you've experienced that yourself with the non Pro-Tites. Speaking for myself as an older rider I feel like I deserve good tires, I spent many years as a broke kid on crappy rubber. As the season ended I picked up a touring bike with 27" wheels, and before I rebuild them with 700c I decided to try a set of Swift Sand Canyon 27 x 1-3/8 tires. I've heard very good things about them and am looking forward to trying them out: https://www.swifttire.com/
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12-22-21, 04:56 PM
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Every region has it's tire nemesis. Goatheads are typically found in the Southwest, but I found one in Northern California a few years ago.
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12-22-21, 05:01 PM
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South Carolina roads don't need nemeses...it is the alpha nemesis. Though they have expanded the shoulders here and they are now 3.6" wide. Of course part of that is taken up by the rumble-reflector edges...
I guess our nemesis is the random gator that decides to visit the road. Slight puncture hazard.
I guess our nemesis is the random gator that decides to visit the road. Slight puncture hazard.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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12-22-21, 05:07 PM
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For 700c, there are a lot of tire choices between those two ... better than Kendas but not as forgiving or soft-riding as Paselas.
You use the term, "red label." Hmmm. I don't think of that basic, less expensive Pasela as softer or more supple than the Protite, just one with less puncture protection. Am I wrong? I usually look for their folding tire which may only come in the Protite version. It's a little more expensive, but that's the least I can do when choosing Paselas for a stable of only five bikes.
You use the term, "red label." Hmmm. I don't think of that basic, less expensive Pasela as softer or more supple than the Protite, just one with less puncture protection. Am I wrong? I usually look for their folding tire which may only come in the Protite version. It's a little more expensive, but that's the least I can do when choosing Paselas for a stable of only five bikes.
12-22-21, 05:44 PM
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For 700c, there are a lot of tire choices between those two ... better than Kendas but not as forgiving or soft-riding as Paselas.
You use the term, "red label." Hmmm. I don't think of that basic, less expensive Pasela as softer or more supple than the Protite, just one with less puncture protection. Am I wrong? I usually look for their folding tire which may only come in the Protite version. It's a little more expensive, but that's the least I can do when choosing Paselas for a stable of only five bikes.
You use the term, "red label." Hmmm. I don't think of that basic, less expensive Pasela as softer or more supple than the Protite, just one with less puncture protection. Am I wrong? I usually look for their folding tire which may only come in the Protite version. It's a little more expensive, but that's the least I can do when choosing Paselas for a stable of only five bikes.
And yes, it is splitting hairs and there are surely many many better tires as mentioned. I consider it to be an accomplishment that I even noticed the difference. That does however open up a whole new can of worms. I was really just curious wether others had ever tried these back to back since they seem quite popular at a price point.
I am thinking that the added layer is more of an isolation from the sharp irregularities; perhaps as something that sort of evens out the smaller sharp jolts into a smoother more continuous sensation if that makes sense. More testing needed, but cold here now.
Last edited by sd5782; 12-22-21 at 05:52 PM. Reason: Additional content
12-22-21, 06:09 PM
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I would say any version of the Paselas are at least several rungs up from the typical Kendas, especially on bad pavement.
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12-22-21, 06:24 PM
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Actually I wouldn’t have thought there was much difference in the types. Riding my SS on poor pavement with the non ProTites, I found myself watching for every ripple in an urban ride. I was ready to put the Kendas back on and just enjoy the ride. Having both tires in hand side by side gave the comparison of the added layer under the tread. Anyhow, I will soon take another ride on the same bike now with the ProTites.
And yes, it is splitting hairs and there are surely many many better tires as mentioned. I consider it to be an accomplishment that I even noticed the difference. That does however open up a whole new can of worms. I was really just curious wether others had ever tried these back to back since they seem quite popular at a price point.
I am thinking that the added layer is more of an isolation from the sharp irregularities; perhaps as something that sort of evens out the smaller sharp jolts into a smoother more continuous sensation if that makes sense. More testing needed, but cold here now.
And yes, it is splitting hairs and there are surely many many better tires as mentioned. I consider it to be an accomplishment that I even noticed the difference. That does however open up a whole new can of worms. I was really just curious wether others had ever tried these back to back since they seem quite popular at a price point.
I am thinking that the added layer is more of an isolation from the sharp irregularities; perhaps as something that sort of evens out the smaller sharp jolts into a smoother more continuous sensation if that makes sense. More testing needed, but cold here now.
12-22-21, 07:01 PM
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Yes, maybe I’m imagining things, but I didnt remember the SS riding as stiff unless I had 80 lbs of air in the tires. Both tires and the Kendas are 27x1 1/4” and all wire bead. Lately I’ve been running about 70 rear and 65 front in them. Perhaps I’ve been getting more used to my nicer frames with more feedback and am now acquiring a better feel. Kendas are the basic K35s.
Last edited by sd5782; 12-22-21 at 07:03 PM. Reason: Content
12-22-21, 07:55 PM
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IMO, good quality, supple tires make a large difference in how a bike feels when riding. Panaracer makes some excellent tires. I like the Pasela PT, but I am not crazy about the gumwall color of them. I really like Gravel King SS and have them in 26mm up to 38mm. I use the brown sidewall for my Schwinn SS DBX, 38mm and Lemond Poprad, 35mm, because they really do match up with the colors of the bikes. One of my favorite road set ups is Panaracer Open Pave, 27mm, with latex tubes. Fantastic ride and handling. I stocked on them from a CRC sale, $26 per tire. I kind of wish they were available in with a wider stance. There are a lot of good tires available, some of them not too expensive. Hutchinson makes some great tires, Fusion 5, but the cost of them has skyrocketed.
