Michelin Pro3 Race
Michelin Pro3 Race £34.95
Michelin has launched the Pro3 Race, the latest evolution of its top flight clincher tyre, with an improved compound offering less rolling resistance, more cornering grip and all weighing less than 200g.
Despite the sheer size of the Michelin tyre company, it's clear that ideas are passed around in the Two Wheels department. It's from the company's involvement in motorcycle Grands Prix (where 25 world titles have been won) that this new dual compound has been brought to the company's road bicycle tyres.
Michelin has employed different compounds in the tread, with a 6mm band of softer material on the shoulders to eke out more grip when cornering, and while RCUK is usually wary of quoting claimed figures, the company talks of an impressive extra 40% grip compared to the outgoing Pro2.. The central tread has been changed too, and here offers a 20% grippier compound. Michelin claims, in certain situations, that the tyre will allow the rider to ride at 5km/h faster than compared to its previous tyre.
To provide these higher levels of grip, Michelin has had to work hard to ensure rolling resistance isn't compromised. A new material whose physical and mechanical properties can withstand considerable distortion has been developed.
All this performance is nothing if the puncture resistance is not to the same high standards. Here Michelin has used a High Density Puncture Protector (HDDP)made of highly resistant Nylon plies, which is placed under the tread. During testing in 2007, nearly 1 million km have been put through these new tyres, bringing Michelin to the conclusion that the tyres will wear out before an expected puncture.
The Bouygues Telecom team have been long been supported by Michelin, and in the Tour Down Under, Laurent Brochard won the green jersey on board these new tyres. And Christophe Moreau (AG2R-Prévoyance), this year's French national champion, won the Dauphiné Libéré race with the Michelin Pro³ Race tyre.
The new Pro3 Race is available in 23mm only and comes in the dark grey colour pictured and available in all good bike shops as you read this. Price £34.95. Full review soon.
www.michelin.co.uk
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