This review is a follow up of my Continental Ultra Sport II tires:
After reviewing my somehow disappointing experience with my Continental Ultra Sport II tires I was looking for a better replacement. During the search I came to Panaracer tires a name which I've never heard of. According to the homepage they are made in Japan, for me an indication of quality.
Overview
According to the homepage Panaracer makes three different foldable tubed tires,
Weight
1. Race D Evo 3, 250g/tire
2. Race A Evo 3, 240g/tire
3. Race L Evo 3, 200g/tire
all based on the size 700x25c.
Construction
The rubber compound is the same, the weight difference results from ProTite Belt, the Panaracer's name of their puncture protection. Due to availability I bought two different tires, the Race A on the rear and the Race L on the front. Both tires performed so similar that I test them together.
Review Panaracer Race A & Race L Evo 3, foldable tire, 700x25c
- Price
The were around 50% more expensive than my first Continental Ultra Sport II tires @ around NT$799/€20.05/US$22.75 per tire in Taiwan.
- Montage
More difficult than expected, I had to use three (!) tire levers. But the tire felt in its proper place on an instant on the rim, neither pushing nor squeezing to find the right fit. There is no direction indicator on the tire.
- Ride Quality
In dry and wet conditions the ride quality was great! I never slipped on wet surface, neither on road, on road marking nor on manhole covers; it was smoother but very stable a high speed. These tires gave me a lot of confidence; I cornered much faster & rode lower than on my previous tires (don't tell my wife).
- Wear & Puncture Protection
I had only one puncture during the 3.500 km lifetime and replaced them after the inner webbing could be be seen from the outside (see picture). For exchanging the inner tube I had to use the same three (!) tire levers when I mounted them for the first time.
The wear was o.k. with around 3.500 km. Near the end of its lifetime the grip felt a little 'soapy', not dangerous but during faster downhill rides clearly noticeable.
- Origin
My Panaracer tires have been made in Japan as mentioned on the tire wall and on the homepage.
- Verdict
I rode the Panaracer A and Panaracer L for only around 3.500 km on different surfaces, road and weather conditions. They felt great and gave me a lot of confidence. The cornering speed improved, I discovered myself to ride more aggressively (again, don't tell my wife!). The mounting was hard but had not to be performed too often due to its good protection. The wear was noticeable, as seen on the picture.
- Conclusion
These are great tires and I would buy them again.
I am not endorsed by anyone and paid for these tires like every customer!
A Word of Caution
Always ride with a helmet and in a way that you are in control of the bike not the other way around. It is senseless to gain some seconds but spend weeks to recover in a hospital and at home!
Ride responsible, defensively and safe! You, your body, your parents, family and friends will surely appreciate your precautions during a bike ride.
Take care, Gerhard
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