CX/Gravel Tire Test: Panaracer Pasela PT (ProTite) 38

The Panaracer Pasela is a touring bike tire that has been around for as long as we can remember. The Pasela is popular as a "supple tire" tire with the added benefit of good worldwide availability and decent pricing. Although we don't test "suppleness" in our lab, we're very curious about how the Pasela compares to the competition in our tests.

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This is a test of the folding version of the Pasela PT (ProTite) in the 38-622 (700x38c) size which happens to be the most "high-end" version of this tire. The PT or ProTite part of the name indicates an extra layer of Panaracer ProTite anti-puncture material has been applied under the tread section of the tire. The casing is made of "400D Light Extra Cord" fabric that gives this tire the suppleness and responsiveness it's known for.

The Pasela PT is available in a very large range of sizes that range from 23-622 up to 42-584 (see table below for all sizes). All sizes are available in folding bead and also wire bead versions. Besides the obvious higher weight of the wire bead versions, we're not sure what else is different between the folding and wire bead versions but our experience with other tires has been that the wire bead tires are made to a lower quality.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Panaracer
Model	Pasela PT (ProTite)
Year	2021
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	RF738-LX-18PT2
TPI	-
Compound	-
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	38-622
Specified Weight	420 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	90
Made In	Pro Data
Available Sizes	23-622 (700x23c) 25-622 (700x25c) 28-622 (700x28c) 32-622 (700x32c) 35-622 (700x35c) 38-622 (700x38c) 25-630 (27x1) 28-630 (27x1-1/8) 32-630 (27x1-1/4) 32-559 (26x1.25) 37-559 (26x1.50) 42-559 (26x1.75) 42-584 (650bx42)

Panaracer Pasela PT (ProTite) 38 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	420 grams
Measured Weight	408 grams
Measured Width Casing	35 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	mm
Measured Height	Pro Data
Tire Circumference	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.0 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	3.60 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Pro Data
All size measurements are taken at high air pressure on a 18 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	Conti Tour 28 (170 gr butyl)
Measured Width	35 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar 39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 barHigh Air Pressure (60 psi / 4.1 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar 33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar 39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (50 psi / 3.4 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar 33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar 36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar 39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (40 psi / 2.8 bar)	25.2 Watts CRR: 0.00755
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar 36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar 39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 barExtra Low Air Pressure (30 psi / 2.1 bar)	Pro Data
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	76 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	3.60 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Pro Data

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	63 Points
Wet Grip Center	Pro Data
Wet Grip Edge	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.0 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

The Panaracer Pasela PT is a decent performer in our tests. Rolling resistance is average at higher air pressures but gets stronger at lower air pressures which is good for a supple tire where comfort is important. Puncture resistance of the tread is also decent although the tread thickness isn't very spectacular for a touring bike tire; a price you pay for a supple tire.

We did find that the sidewalls are extremely weak on this tire. The "400D Light Extra Cord" is the weakest casing material we've seen yet. We even experienced our sharp needle penetrating the sidewall with just the bare weight of the needle + support mechanism, which is something we haven't seen on any other tire yet. It's probably another price you pay for the suppleness of the tire.

Performance is ok, but we only recommend this tire if you're into supple tires. If you're not, get something else.

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RATING: 3.5 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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