In this article I’m going to delve into the best tan wall road bike tires currently available.
There are a lot of options available, so whether you’re looking for a super-light racing day tire, a sturdy 4-season one, or a budget version for your vintage road bike, you’ll find it here.
In terms of color, you’ve got two variants. The ones from Panaracer, and those called “transparent” are true skinwall tires. This means you’re actually looking at a different compound, instead of a paint job. The reasoning behind this is to save weight.
Furthermore, in terms of puncture protection, you’ve got no breaker, classic single breaker for summer tires, and dual breakers for all-season riding. Because there are so many tires and sizes to choose from, I’ve included a table at the end of the article with all tire parameters side-by-side.
So let’s see what made it on my list of the best tan wall road bike tires.
Continental Grand Prix 5000
The Continental Grand Prix 5000 is a clincher tire and dubbed as the best allrounder in the field.
And on paper at least the numbers are very impressive. A 330 TPI tire (very supple) at a claimed weight of 200 grams for a 23 mm width version. It has the exact same Vectran breaker as the other ones on this list, so as far as puncture protection is concerned, this tire performs equally impressively.
And this tire comes in a tan wall version or transparent as Continental calls it. But if you want the lightest version of this tire, you’ll have to stick to black.
Stu Kerton | Senior Product Reviewer – March 26, 2021
Riding them in the winter has shown how durable they are for such a high-performance tyre. With a short test period it’s difficult to judge wear levels, but the GP5000s are looking good. There are a couple of little marks here and there from the hedge cutting season, but they haven’t punctured yet.
They have a supple feel, too. Even at the pressures I ride, they bring a noticeable cushioning effect to proceedings. The only real issue I can see is that if you want tubeless and a tan wall, you’re out of luck. If that doesn’t bother you, you’re going to have to go some to find another tyre that delivers the same levels of performance and durability. The GP5000 Transparent is excellent. As long as you’re willing to pay for it.
- Best all-round road bike tire on the market, supple, light, good puncture protection, tan wall option available
- None
Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR
Continental is known for their light-weight tire offerings and the Continental Grand Prix 500 S TR is no exception. It’s the tubeless ready version of the standard Grand Prix 5000, which is a clincher tire.
The tubeless ready Grand Prix 5000 has the same excellent stats. A 220 TPI moderately supple tire, that comes in your standard 25 and 28 mm width versions. At 250 grams for the 25 mm and 280 for the 28 mm version, these tires are pretty light. And on top of that, this tire scores extremely high markers in the rolling resistance department. That means you can check both light and fast of your list of requirements, when you go for this tire.
A tan wall version is included among the sizes for those who want to mount them.
Simon von Bromley | Senior technical writer – December 21, 2021
Though the claimed decrease in rolling resistance versus the outgoing GP5000 TL appears to be too good to be true, the Continental GP5000 S TR nevertheless remains a benchmark tubeless road bike tyre.
It strikes an ideal balance of low rolling resistance, durability and puncture protection that makes it very hard to beat.
That it is now compatible with hookless rims and is available with a choice of black or transparent sidewalls, plugs what were arguably the only two chinks in its armour.
I’ll be sticking with my Vittoria Corsa Speed TLRs for time trials then, but for everything else on the road it’s hard to look past the GP5000 S TR
- Light, very fast-rolling race tire, tan wall option available
- None
Panaracer Agilest
The Panaracer Agilest is the newest addition to the Japanese tire manufacturer’s road bike tire lineup.
The standard clincher variant is one of the lightest tires available, with the “wide” 28mm version sitting at just 210 grams per tire.
They’ve achieved this weight with the new and much lighter ZSG Agile compound, which is a combination of a single 120 TPI ply with a puncture resistant breaker.
Coming in a variety of color combinations, including a gorgeous amber one, and being a long-time fan of Panaracer, I can do very little but instantly count this road bike tire among my favorites.
Steve Williams | Product reviewer – May 2, 2023
I don’t suggest you go gravelling with these, but they’ve proved confidently tenacious and communicative on dirty, gritty and often badly potholed back lanes, while still accelerating and rolling well. In these aspects they match the tubeless versions, which use the same ZSG Agile compound.
They’ve resisted punctures in the same way too, despite the poor conditions wrought by spring tractor action and winter ice, and inevitably their handling feels identical – hard climbing and braking grip is good, wet grip is great and they steer very neutrally.
- Light as a feather, with multiple colors. Another hit with Japanese build quality.
- None
Vittoria Corsa
The Vittoria Corsa tops many lists as one of the best road bike tires in general. And lucky for us, they also offer a tan-wall version of this beauty of a tire.
The Vittoria Corsa is a tire for the current generation of road bikes. At 290 grams for a 25 mm width it’s not lightweight. But the combination of that weight and an extremely high 320 TPI carcass means this is one of the most comfortable road tires on the market today, and an obvious choice for many road cyclists.
Not only is this an extremely comfortable tire, grip, handling, and cornering confidence is also at a maximum with this tire. And for years the Vittoria Corsa has set the benchmark of being the tire with the lowest rolling resistance. All of these characteristics combined make the Vittoria Corsa a failsafe option for sure.
Liam Cahill | Contributor – August 4, 2020
I’m very impressed by the Corsa G2.0. They feel incredibly fast in a straight line, the graphine compound working perfectly to hold speed. They’re not quite as fast as the Corsa Speeds that I tested last year, but they’re certainly suitable for fast riding.
The soft sidewalls and soft compound would usually make me think of punctures, but I’ve experienced no flats, and it’s not like I’ve been overly careful with where I ride. Road races usually descend into a fair bit of moving up in the gutter, hardly where you find the best tarmac, and these have not let me down yet.
- Stunning tire, very comfortable, great grip and handling
- None
Vittoria Corsa Pro
Improving upon the Vittoria Corsa, the Vittoria Corsa Pro aims to reduce rolling resistance by integrating the center tread into the casing.
The cotton casing is known for its supple ride, grip and handling. However this tire is so new I’ve been unable to find any rolling resistance numbers yet to be able to compare them with the standard Corsa and see if this tire holds up to its promise.
That would be a thing indeed for the Vittoria Corsa is a benchmark tire when it comes to rolling resistance, which makes this tire, both in its tubular and tubeless version, an exciting addition to the Italian’s lineup indeed.
Simon von Bromley | Senior technical writer – August 30, 2023
Compared to my experience with previous-generation Corsa Speed TLR tyres, the Corsa Pro TLRs slipped on to a set of Hunt 54 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc wheels with relative ease.
The combination of a traditional cotton casing and a seamlessly attached tread offers easy setup, fantastic ride feel and, in my opinion, looks brilliant too.
Disappointingly, though, it performed relatively poorly in our rolling resistance test. And while lab results don’t tell you everything about how a tyre performs in the real world, at this price it’s not unreasonable to expect top performance in all areas.
- Newer version of the excellent Vittoria Corsa promising reduced rolling resistance
- Couldn't confirm if this is indeed true
Vittoria Corsa Control
If you want a bit more puncture protection but still have Vittoria emblazoned on your sidewall, the Vittoria Corsa Control will suit your needs.
It’s obviously heavier than its other namesake, but with it comes extra protection. It has an extra tread inserted into the tire, which adds control and durability for less than optimal road conditions like cobblestones and rougher roads.
It’s also a perfect companion for those who don’t mind riding in wet conditions. So choose this tire over the normal Corsa if rough and wet is what you like.
The Vittoria Corsa Control is also the only tan-wall road bike tire on this list that comes as a tube. So if you have a very premium vintage road bike or a very premium set of modern-day wheels you can take advantage of everything tubes have to offer as well.
Liam Cahill | Contributor – July 21, 2020
At 323g, this isn’t the lightest tubeless option out there, but it does come with the added casing reinforcement and thicker tread. If you compare these to summer race tyres then you will notice that the Corsa Control TLR feels a little slower, but I’ll trade that for the increased mileage and added protection against punctures.
If you’re after a set of fast and grippy tyres for wet weather, or you want a posh tubeless tyre for winter, this is a very good option. The plush ride, confidence in the rain, and robust compound make the Vittoria Corsa Control TLR G2.0 easy to recommend.
- Added puncture protection, tan option available, tube
- None
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control
The Vittoria Corsa Pro Control is the same tire as the Vittoria Corsa Pro. It just packs slightly more rubber for added puncture protection.
The 28mm width version adds 15 grams to the tire. Rarely have I seen two separate tires that look so much alike. But in a world where every advantage in road cycling could mean the difference between win or lose, I guess 15 grams of compound does indeed add to this tire’s puncture resistance.
Apart from the weight, the tire also has a different tread pattern, which is optimized for wet conditions. That increases the tires versatility and moves it into off-season territory as well.
Ashley Quinlan | Senior technical editor – October 11, 2023
The Vittoria Corsa Pro Control TLR tyre impresses on the one hand, and disappoints on the other.
The supple ride quality is excellent – the best I’ve felt from a tyre of its type – which makes riding a bike, even in grip-limited wet conditions, an enjoyable, tactile experience. When dry, it’s even a match for its racier sibling, and the grip is impressive too.
Sadly, the difficulty seating the tyre spoils the overall ownership experience. It shouldn’t be as challenging as it is, and I know, in the back of my mind, it’s a real problem waiting to happen if it ever needs reseating.
- Burlier version of the Corsa Pro with tread pattern for wet conditions
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR
A pirelli P Zero in a race version and offering a tubeless setup, that has to be very promising.
Yes I know they are not the lightest tires, but they are some of the best-looking ones, and in terms of grip and road feel are pretty unmatched as well.
Combine that with a tried-and-true compound and a relatively easy tubeless setup and you get a very fast road bike tire. And in a tan version as well.
Just as Vittoria’s tubeless tires, Pirelli mushes the tread and aramid fibres in the casing together to further reduce rolling resistance. So it’s either an Italian thing, or they’re really on to something.
The tires have had some really promising rolling-resistance test, taking the top spot beating the likes of Vittoria and Schwalbe. Impressive.
Ashley Quinlan | Senior technical editor – August 25, 2023
It was among the easiest fitting experiences I’ve had. Despite the construction being almost equal in weight to the Goodyear Eagle F1 R, I found it easier to manipulate it over the bead, just needing one lever to finish off the job.
On the road, I could find little to criticise if speed, ride feel and grip are top of the tyre performance wishlist. The Pirelli P Zero Race TLR is one of the best all-round performance tyres available today. It offers a racy blend of low rolling resistance and ride quality, without sacrificing practical grip and puncture resistance.
- Impressive tech in a tubeless road tire that promises to have the lowest-rolling resistance of them all
- None
Pirelli Cinturato Velo
If you ask me, Pirelli Cinturato’s understated design is one of the best on this list. This tubeless-ready tire is far more robust than the P Zero on this list, going in the direction of a gravel tire.
A kevlar-reinforced breaker offers bead-to-bead protection, besides a smaller one sitting underneath the tread. The more durable 60 TPI casing is heavier, but will last you longer. Called Armour Tech, it’s the solution of choice for making these tires truly all-weather condition tires, offering great grip and puncture resistance all through the year.
That added protection does mean they will tip the scales at 300 and 340 grams for the 26 and 28 mm versions. So it’s no weight-weenie tire.
Oscar Huckle | Technical writer – January 1, 2023
The Pirelli Cinturato Velo tyre has seriously impressed through testing and is now one of my top choices for winter use.
Although there are grippier tyres available, there’s no shortage of speed for the construction offered, and it has proven tough too.
As well as a very competent winter tyre, if you want a fit-and-forget tyre to run all year round (and you’re happy to compromise performance a little in the warmer months), the Cinturato Velo will be an excellent option.
- Fantastic grip, durability, and puncture-protection for a 4-season tire, very fast.
- A bit on the heavy side
Schwalbe Pro One
The Schwalbe Pro One is a top-tier tire from the German brand, which can also be used for time trials.
It’s very light and has one of the best low rolling-resistance numbers. Like many super-fast tires it’s still a clincher tire.
The 23 mm version weighs 215 grams and the 25 mm version 235 grams. The 25 mm version also comes as a tan wall.
Matthew Loveridge | Senior Writer – June 15, 2020
I’m very light and therefore tend to run my tyres at quite low pressure. I’ve been impressed at how tolerant the Pro Ones are of being run properly soft. Even at the very lowest pressures, the Pro Ones feel accurate and controlled, they don’t flop around on their sidewalls like some purportedly racy road tyres.
On tarmac, the Pro Ones are like any other modern road clincher. Without comparing rolling resistance data this is highly subjective, but the Pro Ones feel fast, even at those very low pressures.
- Super fast, lightweight, tan wall option available, one of the very best race tires on the market
- None
Michelin Power Cup TLR Competition Line
When I started road cycling Michelin was my go to choice for fast, grippy tires, that would provide you with many puncture-less miles. Apart from tubeless not much has changed when looking at road tires, and the Michelin Power Cup TLR Competition Line might be my new favorite tire.
If you’re like me and you want to stand out from the crowd, you can do so by running different tires than any of the many Continental 5000 versions. And if you happen to like tan-wall tires as well, this one from the French brand might suit your style.
Michelin calls the compound it uses for this tire Gum-X. Now that doesn’t tell me anything, but a simple look at the casing, which boasts 4 plies of 120 TPI, tells me this tire has to have an above average puncture-resistance.
It’s not a 4-season tire, with a single breaker, low weight and good rolling-resistance, and focuses on performance for those of you who’re considering a tubeless setup as well.
Can it beat the Continental Grand Prix 5000 tubeless version? I don’t know, but it’s nice to know there’s a high-quality alternative.
Ashley Quinlan | Senior technical editor – August 27, 2023
On the whole, I’ve been impressed by the sense of speed and grip the Michelin Power Cup TLR provides. Although there are tyres that provide even more impressive overall ride feel – the Vittoria Corsa Pro stands out in this regard, while the Pirelli P-Zero TLR and Continental GP5000 S TR are also standard-bearers – the differences are very small.
I found the tyres generated plentiful grip, impressing especially when I wanted to lean hard on the front wheel on a well-paved descent. Confidence is key when descending and cornering at speed – the Power Cup TLR helped me build lots of it.
- Premium, fast-rolling alternative to the Continental Grand Prix 500
- None
Specifications tan wall road bike tires
Name | Size | ETRTO | Weight (gr) | Tread color | Sidewall color | Compound | Puncture protection | Tire bead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Continental Grand Prix 5000 | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 275 | Black | Cream | BlackChili | Vectran Breaker | foldable |
Continental Grand Prix 5000 | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 245 | Black | Transparent | BlackChili | Vectran Breaker | foldable |
Continental Grand Prix 5000 | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | 230 | Black | Transparent | BlackChili | Vectran Breaker | foldable |
Continental Grand Prix 5000 | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | 255 | Black | Cream | BlackChili | Vectran Breaker | foldable |
Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR | 700Cx32 | 32-622 | 320 | Black | Transparent | BlackChili | Vectran Breaker | tlr |
Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR | 700Cx30 | 30-622 | 300 | Black | Transparent | BlackChili | Vectran Breaker | tlr |
Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 280 | Black | Transparent | BlackChili | Vectran Breaker | tlr |
Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | 250 | Black | Transparent | BlackChili | Vectran Breaker | tlr |
Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR | 650x30B | 30-584 | 280 | Black | Transparent | BlackChili | Vectran Breaker | tlr |
Michelin Power Cup TLR Competition Line | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | Black | Cream | Gum-X | Tubeless Shield | tlr | |
Michelin Power Cup TLR Competition Line | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | Black | Cream | Gum-X | Tubeless Shield | tlr | |
Panaracer Agilest | 700Cx23 | 23-622 | 180 | Black | Amber | ZSG Agile | AX-Alpha / TF Super Belt | foldable |
Panaracer Agilest | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | 190 | Black | Amber | ZSG Agile | AX-Alpha / TF Super Belt | foldable |
Panaracer Agilest | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 210 | Black | Amber | ZSG Agile | AX-Alpha / TF Super Belt | foldable |
Pirelli Cinturato Velo | 700Cx26 | 26-622 | 300 | Black | Tan | SmartNET | Armour Tech | tlr |
Pirelli Cinturato Velo | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 340 | Black | Tan | SmartNET | Armour Tech | tlr |
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR | 700Cx26 | 26-622 | 275 | Black | Tan | SmartEVO | TechBelt Road | tlr |
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 295 | Black | Tan | SmartEVO | TechBelt Road | tlr |
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR | 700Cx30 | 30-622 | 315 | Black | Tan | SmartEVO | TechBelt Road | tlr |
Schwalbe Pro One | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | 235 | Black | Transparent | ADDIX Race | V-Guard | foldable |
Schwalbe Pro One | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 250 | Black | Transparent | ADDIX Race | V-Guard | foldable |
Schwalbe Pro One | 700Cx30 | 30-622 | 280 | Black | Transparent | ADDIX Race | V-Guard | foldable |
Schwalbe Pro One | 700Cx32 | 32-622 | 310 | Black | Transparent | ADDIX Race | V-Guard | foldable |
Vittoria Corsa | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | 290 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 360 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa | 700Cx23 | 23-622 | 245 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | foldable |
Vittoria Corsa | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | 255 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | foldable |
Vittoria Corsa | 700Cx23 | 23-622 | 275 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa | 700Cx30 | 30-622 | 375 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 270 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | foldable |
Vittoria Corsa | 700Cx30 | 30-622 | 275 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | foldable |
Vittoria Corsa | 700Cx32 | 32-622 | 290 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | foldable |
Vittoria Corsa Control | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | 295 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa Control | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 350 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa Control | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | 265 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | foldable |
Vittoria Corsa Control | 700Cx30 | 30-622 | 370 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa Control | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 280 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | foldable |
Vittoria Corsa Control | 700Cx30 | 30-622 | 280 | Black | Tan | Corespun K | Protection Belt | foldable |
Vittoria Corsa Pro | 700Cx24 | 24-622 | 265 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tlr |
Vittoria Corsa Pro | 700Cx26 | 26-622 | 275 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tlr |
Vittoria Corsa Pro | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 295 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tlr |
Vittoria Corsa Pro | 700Cx30 | 30-622 | 300 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tlr |
Vittoria Corsa Pro | 700Cx32 | 32-622 | 320 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tlr |
Vittoria Corsa Pro | 700Cx23 | 23-622 | 285 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa Pro | 700Cx25 | 25-622 | 295 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa Pro | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 340 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa Pro | 700Cx30 | 30-622 | 365 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tubular |
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control | 700Cx26 | 26-622 | 295 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tlr |
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control | 700Cx28 | 28-622 | 310 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tlr |
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control | 700Cx30 | 30-622 | 320 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tlr |
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control | 700Cx32 | 32-622 | 340 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tlr |
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control | 700Cx34 | 34-622 | 360 | Black | Cream | Corespun | Protection Belt | tlr |
Sources
Founder Restoration.bike
Johan van Seijen is the founder of restoration.bike. His cycling career has seen him at the starting line of classics such as the Amstel Gold Race and Liege Bastogne Liege. Realizing his racing capacity would fall short of what was needed he obtained a MS from the University of Amsterdam in engineering. His love for cycling changed into riding in an amateur capacity with his local cycling club TFC Weesp as a roadie and supporting MTB Noordwest as a mountain biker. He repairs, restores, and builds bicycles and shares his knowledge on YouTube, Facebook and this website.
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