I get via numerous bikes on this job. They come and go each few weeks, generally in a flurry, generally a trickle. Each time one arrives I assess the spec, and there are all the time a number of merchandise that elevate my spirits. One is a Selle Italia SLR Superflow saddle, so I do know my rear finish goes to be snug, and the opposite is a set of Michelin Power Cup tyres. They sit firmly on the prime of the ‘finest price range’ part of my information to the perfect street bike tyres, however in actuality they might nicely problem for the perfect general title.
Michelin might not have the identical pro-level utilization because the likes of Continental and Vittoria, however no one goes to disclaim that the corporate has a repute for making tyres… and judging eating places, which I all the time discover unusual. Despite not that includes at WorldTour stage I feel the Power Cup may simply combine it with the perfect of the bunch if solely it was accessible in wider sizes. More on that later, however for these of you missing in persistence the quick story is that I really like these tyres, and if I wasn’t able the place I’m continuously swapping tyres for testing these are the place I’d be spending my very own cash.
Design and aesthetics
I’m placing myself on the market and saying I feel we’re in a spot now the place tanwall tyres have stopped being cool because of their ubiquity. They was a standing factor, displaying off that your tyres had been cotton cased, and whereas I like them on tyres that do even have cotton casings (the Vittoria Corsa Pro, Challenge Getaway et al.) I feel in case your tyres are vulcanised then they need to be black. If you disagree then fear not, as a result of these tyres additionally are available in a tanwall choice, a lightweight tan, however not almost so yellow as a Challenge or a Vittora. Anyway, my overview set had been black, simply the best way I like ‘em.
Aesthetically they’re a really minimalist choice, with only a small, full-colour Michelin emblem (or monochrome on the tanwall), and a grey-on-black ‘Power Cup’ wordmark. The tyre tread itself is equally minimalist, devoid solely of any sipes (the technical time period for any striations or indents), and easily presenting a completely slick rubber tread. Don’t be alarmed, I can guarantee you that this doesn’t make them much less grippy. Sipes don’t really provide any extra mechanical grip, they merely permit the rubber to maneuver extra, which heats it up a bit of extra simply, and makes it extra grippy.
One factor that could be a little little bit of a downside is the vary of widths accessible. While these are available in 23c and 25c (reasonably outdated widths by trendy requirements, until you’re a French WorldTour crew), the widest they arrive in is a 28c. Comparatively, you may get a Continental GP5000 S TR in each a 30c and a 32c, and the identical might be stated of the Vittoria Corsa Pro. If you’re working rim brakes and 28c is about your restrict then this isn’t actually any trouble, however for these of you with disc brakes trying to reap the rewards of wider tyres by way of consolation and grip, you’re a bit of out of luck right here.
Setup
Setting the Michelin Power Cups up tubeless was comparatively ache free. They didn’t show overly tough to get onto the rim, nor did they current a lot of a problem to seat, both with or with out sealant in. I’ve run them with and with out tubes too, each on this overview set and on take a look at bikes, and one factor I might say that I observed is that ought to you ever get a puncture they did have a behavior of unseating from the edges I used to be utilizing. It’s a bit of element, however I feel in an effort to create a rounded profile the sidewalls wish to curl inwards greater than different tyres I’ve tried.
Should the worst befall you, I’d advise carrying top-of-the-line CO2 inflators as an alternative of/in addition to a mini pump as a just-in-case measure, as these will much more simply attain the pressures wanted to reseat them on the fly.
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Performance
Let’s take issues by the numbers first. Cycling is a numbers recreation numerous the time, and it will be remiss of me to not point out some comparative assessments which were finished on these tyres and their rivals by Bicycle Rolling Resistance. Publicly accessible knowledge that I used to create my information to street bike tyres states that the Power Cups have an an identical rolling resistance to the Continental GP5000 S TR (at 8.5 watts), a barely higher puncture resistance (45 performs 35) and higher static moist grip (74 versus 70). They are marginally heavier, however it’s minimal – solely an 18-gram distinction per tyre, or simply shy of 40g for a set.
Why would you pay greater than double for the Continental choice? Honestly, at this level, I don’t actually know. I haven’t discovered something in testing them that factors to a noticeable, tangible distinction, a minimum of by way of efficiency. If you need wider, which I really do numerous the time, then clearly the selection is a bit of simpler however in case you’re a die-hard 28c fan then the explanations to pay extra are comparatively small.
In the true world, away from the numbers, the Power Cups are clean, quick, and grippy. I might say that they’ll really feel a bit of picket with interior tubes in, however setup tubeless (or with latex tubes) this dissipates. As they’re a extra wallet-friendly choice they’re maybe extra doubtless for use with tubes, however I do implore you to present them a attempt in a extra supple setup; I don’t suppose you’ll remorse it.
They actually don’t have that cloud-like really feel of the Vittoria Corsa Pro, however in case you like a extra direct really feel by way of street contact then they’ll be proper up your road.
One factor which will maybe trigger you some thought is that, significantly on wider inside rim widths, the tread doesn’t appear to wrap thus far across the sidewalls as particularly the GP5000. In apply I by no means discovered myself troubled by this and I don’t suppose usually using conditions I used to be in any hazard of troubling the sidewalls. If you’re repeatedly cornering actually aggressively (crit racing, I’m primarily considering of right here) then maybe you’d wish to take into account a extra well-wrapped tread choice, however for many of us, I’m fairly assured in saying they’re simply fantastic.
I’ve had three completely different units of those on the go thus far this 12 months, some setup tubeless, some with tubes. I solely had one puncture, and this was down me pinching a latex tube reasonably than any international object making its approach via the tread. It’s actually not a scientific take a look at, however my dwelling city of Bristol is festooned with damaged glass. In my unrepeatable real-world expertise, these proved no roughly puncture susceptible, particularly when setup tubeless, than every other respectable tyre I’ve used.
Value
Here’s the biggie. I don’t suppose I can consider a tyre that provides by way of worth what the Power Cups do. In reality I’d go as far as to say there are few merchandise on the market usually that match it. On sale, you would simply choose these up for round £30, which is a 3rd of the value of a full-price Corsa Pro or GP5000, and also you’re getting comparable efficiency and only a trace of a weight penalty.
After aerodynamics, rolling resistance is the most important issue by way of outright velocity, and by way of positive aspects for every pound/greenback spent you’re actually onto a winner right here.
Verdict
Unless you need bigger quantity street tyres then I feel there are only a few causes to not go for the Michelin Power Cup tyres. If you’re a rim brake rider then I feel they’re an unimaginable choice, solely maybe falling quick for these cornering tremendous aggressively. They’re comparatively low-cost as respectable street bike tyres go, and may simply combine it with pro-tier rubber of equal widths. For the financially savvy rider they’re a no brainer, although bear in mind to hold a CO2 inflator with you simply in case.
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Testing scorecard and notes
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design and aesthetics
Simple design, clear aesthetics, however let down by no wider choices and a barely slender tread
7/10
Performance
By the numbers they’re simply a match for much dearer choices. In the true world I discovered this to be the case too.
9/10
Tubeless setup
Easy to mount, simple to seat, however they do have a behavior of unseating after they go flat in my expertise
7/10
Weight
A slight weight penalty over prime tier tyres of about 40g per set
8/10
Value
In phrases of bang on your buck they’re fairly astounding worth.