Heading into the new year, Michelin has some new tires focused on the road. Revising their Power Road tire line, the 2020 line up features a few very interesting additions including an all new tubeless-ready version of their Power Road tire.
Power Road Tube Type
The Power Road will be sold in two versions – Tube Type, and Tubeless Ready. Both will use Michelin’s current X-Race silica-based rubber compound which claims to offer excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions. The tires have a new siped shoulder design may increase cornering grip in the wet, and the Tube Type version gets an aramid Protek+ puncture resistance band under the tread.
Power Road Tubeless Ready
The tire we’re most excited about is the Tubeless Ready Power Road tire which uses an “Air Proof” tubeless tech that seals the carcass from bead to bead. The tire uses a 4×120 tpi casing where the Tube Type is 3×120, and will be offered up to 700 x 28mm sizes. Note that the Tubeless Ready tires won’t be available until March.
Power Time Trial
Another completely new model is the Michelin Power Time Trial which is all about setting the fastest time. That could be for a road race, a time trial, triathlon, or ultra distance event where speed is most important. This tire claims to be the lightest of all the high end Michelin road tires, and uses a 3×180 tpi construction with their Race-2 compound. Only offered in tube type and in 700c x 23 or 700c x 25mm sizes, this tire should be available this month.
Power Competition Tubeless
Not into tubeless or tubes? The Michelin Power series includes a Power Competition Tubular model that has been available since April 2019. The tire features an aramid-reinforced cotton casing with a latex inner tube with their Race compound for mix of durability and speed. A Protek barrier under the tread is there to prevent punctures, and the tire has a knurled Grip design on the shoulders. Available in 700c x 23-28mm sizes.
Power All Season
Finally, the Power Road line continues with the All Season tire. True to the name, this tire uses their Hi-Grip tread design for better traction in all conditions and a more durable 3x60tpi casing with a wider aramid Protek+ reinforcement that covers the shoulders as well as the tread. The rubber compound is also formulated to work better in cold conditions which are likely during wet weather.
The Power Road line is joined by the Power Cyclocross Jet & Mud tires in 700c x 33mm, and the Power Gravel tire in 700c x 33, 35, & 40mm.
