Tyres

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 12:43 pm

Anybody have any experience with the Michelin pro4 tyres?
I am in the market for a new set and any suggestions for a decent all year round tyre would be helpful.

Dr Dave · Post by **Dr Dave** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 4:21 pm

They're not really all year round tyres....

TBH I'm not convinced any one tyre is - hence I use summer ( eg racing type) tyres in summer and winter ( eg heavier, puncture resistant) ones in winter.

By virtue of reduced puncture vulnerability Tubeless clinchers may be a good year-round option if your rims are compatible.

barberj · Post by **barberj** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 7:53 pm

I have used the Pro 4 endurance over winter and they still seem as good as new (they are the replacement for the well reviewed Kylion). They have bead to bead puncture resistance and use the same 120tpi carcase as the racier versions. They feel like they have lots of grip. For winter I would go for the 25mm if you can find them. Wiggle can order that size for you.

Melly · Post by **Melly** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 8:15 pm

I cant comment on the Pro Race 4 but for the last 2 years I have run nothing but Pro Race 3 service course tyres and they have been superb, wet, dry, race, training the best tyre my limited experience has had the pleasure of using, the only punctures have been pinch flats and my own fault. Following a bike upgrade I have now gone over to tubeless clinchers with the Bonti R3 sealant system but as yet have yet to ride them until tomorrow when the 1st bike build will be finished. Just sold 2 new 3's on ebay with 2 more to follow and 6 used in almost new condition after that !!!!

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 8:20 pm

I've never used Michelin tyres, but for the 'other suggestions' category - I use Schwalbe Durano's on my winter bike and I'm a big fan. They've been on there over a year now, and including use on the turbo they're still going, so they're certainly durable. They're grippy too, and seem to do their job very well.

stumpys · Post by **stumpys** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 8:25 pm

Ive just put some michelin pro 4 service course tyres on this year. I split a tyre first ride and the replacement looks worn only a few months on. They roll really well but with the weather and state of the roads I will be avoid race/summer tyres and sticking with more robust tyres. Continental 4 seasons and grand prix 4000 tyres have always been good for me and maybe the endurance versions of the pro 4 maybe good for you. I tried Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX Clincher last year and they were great ride but didnt last 10 mins. I also recommend Schwalbe Ultremo tyres over the michelin.

dave c · Post by **dave c** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 8:26 pm

There are at leadt 4 types of pro4

pro4 Endurance winter type tyre

pro4 service course race/training tyre

pro4 comp service course race

pro4 comp ltd service course lightweight race

The endurance looks like an all year tyre for general use

http://www.michelinbicycletire.com/mich ... ro4sc.view

Look under usage/performance

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 9:50 pm

All clinchers are crap.

mart66 · Post by **mart66** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 7:59 am

If, like me, you're lazy and a bit of a cheapskate. Conti GP4000s are pretty good.

I've been on them winter and summer and they've been fine.

Broom Wagon · Post by **Broom Wagon** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 7:27 pm

They're OK, reasonably fast, grippy and last well, not really a winter tyre though. Definitely not winter too are Vittoria Open Corsa CX but they're fastest clinchers I know and grip even better. On dry roads no clincher would inspire such confidence on a long windy descent but as said they don't last, if you're really unlucky you could put them on and knacker them after one ride.

I read a review a couple of years ago and Veloxflex (followed by Vittoria) sucked up the least Wattage at 20mph. I've never used them though.

Curiously Vittoria Rubino's are awful, slow, slippy and a pig to get on and off - can be picked up for peanuts though (still not worth it though).

Conti Ultra gatorskins are a tough all year tyre, not that quick though.

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:59 pm

Broom Wagon wrote:They're OK, reasonably fast, grippy and last well, not really a winter tyre though. Definitely not winter too are Vittoria Open Corsa CX but they're fastest clinchers I know and grip even better.

Vittoria corsa evo CX, open, and in a tubular are a real Jekyll and Hyde tyre...the best tyre in the dry, love 'em if it's dry.. but they're just the worst tyre if it's wet.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:53 pm

Thanks for the plentiful responses guys - have opted to try the Conti GT's.
Cyan - what are the pros/cons of tubs?

Melly · Post by **Melly** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 11:01 pm

Looks like all clinchers are crap, and some tubs are worse in the wet, depending on what day of the week it is. I'm going crossply or possibly Bontag,, they were very popular when I was an apprentice

) AndyM has some experience of the Hutchinson Atoms I believe and is a convert!! I will review the Bonti R3's tubeless after some mileage, still love the mich pro race 3 clinchers!!! (Flack jacket mounted cyan !!!)

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Tue Jul 02, 2013 6:53 am

Allan wrote: Cyan - what are the pros/cons of tubs?

A properly mounted tubular will always be safer than an open tyre. The tyre won't blow off the rim, and in many cases you can ride miles on a flat tubular.
You don't get pinch flats. You can run much lower pressures over rough roads. For me they give a more comfortable ride and the handling is more predictable.

The puncture resistance built into modern tyres (Conti Vectran etc) actually works really well in a tubular and if you do puncture it's probably because a bloody great piece of glass has gone through it...unlike a clincher when half the time you can't see an obvious reason for the flat.

A tubular rim is lighter than a clincher rim..lighter wheels are faster wheels.

Cons..a good tub costs £50. Preparation takes a bit more time and care. I glue mine and use Mastik one. You need to pre stretch the tubular on a dry rim for a few days at maybe 150psi...then glue the rim and tyre and leave overnight, then a thin layer of glue again on the rim before mounting the tyre. Some tubulars take a little bit of adjusting to seat right....obviously this is all a bit too much of a faff for some people, but for me it is all worth it once you get out on them.