My Michelin Pro 3 Race Tire Review: In late Spring or early Summer of 2011, I decided to switch from using Bontrager R3 700x23c tires to the Michelin Pro3 Race service course 700x23c road tires on my Trek Madone 5.2 Road Bicycle. After putting about 1200 miles on them, I feel qualified to provide an informed review of their performance.
Michelin Pro 3 Race Tire - First Impression
At the time of purchase, I paid $110 for the pair, which is comparable to most any other set of quality 700x23c road race tires. These are folding tires, and the first thing I noticed, is that the Michelin Pro 3 are light tires, the mid section (tread) feels soft, pliable and thick. However, the sidewalls feel really thin. They fit more snug than the previous Bontrager R3 I was accustomed to. In fact, they were pretty tough to mount on the rim, right out of the package.
Michelin Pro3 Road Feel and Durability
Pro's - Comfortable, super soft ride, smooth rolling, quiet, lightweight, fast.
Con's - Slightly slower than Bontrager R3, soft rubber picks up road debris, prone to pinch flatting and cuts.
Once mounted on my Bontrager Racelite rims, and filled to max pressure, I headed out for my first ride. Initially, I kept thinking that the tires were low on air. The ride was just so much softer. The Michelin Pro 3 tires were absorbing just about every road imperfection, yet they felt pretty fast. On the second ride, I decided to up the air pressure just a tad beyond the maximum, since I am a heavy rider (185-190lbs). At about 120psi these tires felt pretty good for me. Still a little softer than I was used to, but after a few more rides, I had become used to the feel. These tires do ride smooth and quiet.
Several rides later, my data tracking methods had shown the tires were performing well. But performance was not quite as good as my Bontrager R3. My average speeds on the same daily route were about .3 - .5 mph slower. At first I thought it was just me, and that maybe the warmer temps were getting to me, cutting into my overall performance. However, I have recently switched back to the Bontrager R3. My data tracking methods are proving that the Michelin Pro 3 are indeed slower for me.
I also started to notice that they do easily attract road debris, maybe due to the softer rubber compound? Within the first few hundred miles, I had all kinds of nicks and cuts throughout the tread. I only ride on clean paved roads, shoulders, and trails and try to avoid debris I see in the road. By 780 miles, due to excessive cuts and abrasions, these tires were ready for early retirement, as the tires were rendered unsafe for riding at speed.
I should also point out that I experienced two pinch flats during the 1200+ miles I put on these tires. I chalk that up to the tires being less stiff, and the sidewalls flexing more to absorb road imperfections.
Pro 3 Conclusion - The Bottom Line
My experience with the Michelin Pro 3 Race Tire is that the ride was very comfortable, smooth, and quiet. However, if all out speed is your thing, or if you are a heavier rider (180+ lbs). Then the Bontrager R3 tires might be a better choice for you.
