Panaracer Race C Evo 3 Classic folding tyre

Panaracer claims its Race C Evo 3 Classic Folding tyre offers the best possible performance from a premium road race tyre. This latest version is said to offer better rolling resistance and greater puncture protection while maintaining impressive cornering grip in all weathers. The holy grail then, but do you know what? They do a pretty damn good job.

• Pros: Impressive grip in the bends, lightweight feel
• Cons: Quite thin tread and carcass, not tubeless ready

Last year I tested the 'L' version of this tyre, which stands for Light, with Panaracer saying they were ideal for race day – especially the likes of time trials and hill climbs. I was very impressed and still am, even after they have seen plenty of miles over various conditions. The 'C' version we have here follows a very similar theme, being around the same weight but with a more classic look with their tan wall construction.

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Performance-wise they are some fast feeling tyres. At 205g front and rear, they certainly don't hamper acceleration or climbing in the hills.

Panaracer has used its ZSG compound for the grippy bit of the Evo 3s and while the company doesn't go into much detail of what components make up the mix, it has a very tacky feel to it, even when the tyres are sat in the box.

Cornering is impressive; you can push them hard into the bend and really feel the compound gripping the tarmac. In the dry you can take sharp, off-camber corners with plenty of speed without fear of them slipping out from beneath you.

In the wet things are pretty good too. They didn't feel skittish on damp surfaces like some tyres I've ridden, and if they are going to break traction you get quite a bit of feedback so you can feel it coming rather than having them just snap away without warning.

Puncture protection was my only original concern with these tyres, because even with the rubber and carcass mixed together these are not thick tyres. Panaracer has added its Protite belt for protection beneath the tread, and the casing uses the same AX-Alpha cord casing found on the Race A (All round) Evo 3 option.

I did pick up one puncture from a thorn after riding near a recently cut hedge, but other than that I haven't had any issues on various wet days riding around the lanes.

The Race C is available in a 28mm width and this 26mm, although neither looks to be available in a tubeless version if that's your thing.

One thing that might worry some is that stamped on the tyre is a recommendation to keep the tyres inflated to 105psi, which is going to be too high for most. I tried them at various pressures from 80 to 110psi and noticed no issues with how they rode or stayed on the rims.

> How to choose your tyre pressure

Value-wise, at £39.99 the Panaracers are a good all-round package. The similar Vee Tire Co Apache Chief will set you back £54.99, with the Challenge Strada Pro Open Tubular about the same.

> Buyer's Guide: 32 of the best road cycling tyres

Overall, the Panaracers offer a very supple ride with plenty of grip and are reasonably robust for their design against the competition.

Verdict

Fast rolling race tyres with plenty of grip that can also take a bit of abuse