In celebration of its 120th anniversary making bicycle tires, Michelin has unveiled their new PRO4 road tire lineup.
With the new PRO4, Micheline wanted to improve both performance and longevity. The new PRO4 Service Course claims to improve wet surface cornering speed by 16% over the PRO3 but provides better cut resistance with a new dual compound tread. The Comp Service Course touts a 7% improvement in rolling resistance over its predecessor, a 150tpi casing and minimal 180g weight. The Endurance has a bead-to-bead breaker for improved puncture resistance, a firmer compound in the middle for long life and three levels of grippier rubber in on the sides. The top of the line Comp Limited Service Course comes in at just 165g with a dual compound tread. In summary:
- MICHELIN PRO4 Endurance (longer tire life, enhanced protection)
- MICHELIN PRO4 Service Course (all-around performance)
- MICHELIN PRO4 Comp Service Course (rolling efficiency emphasis)
- MICHELIN PRO4 Comp Limited Service Course (unprecedented rolling efficiency / maximized for speed)
More pics, including their cornering test rig, after the break…
Some models are available in one or more of the following: light blue, dark blue, black, red, pink, ivory, white and yellow.
As seen on the AG2R La Mondiale pro team at the Tour de France this year.
Michelin developed this three-wheeled bike to test lateral grip in the wet, through corners. The third wheel, added for safety purposes, can be set at an angle of between 20 and 40 degrees, and lets them measure the maximum possible lean angle on wet roads. A patent has been registered for this apparatus.
