CX/Gravel Tire Test: Michelin Power Gravel 35

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  • Michelin Power Gravel 35
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts



Michelin Power Gravel 35 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Michelin has been making some of the most popular and best performing road bike tires for a long time so we couldn't leave them out of the CX/Gravel section. The Power Gravel is currently their only tire in the CX/Gravel category but as it comes in the 33-622, 35-622, and 40-622 sizes, they cover a wide range of use cases from CX to gravel bikes.


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The Power Gravel is made up of a 3x120 TPI tubeless-ready casing with an extra layer of "Protek" puncture resistance material that runs from bead to bead. We really like CX/Gravel tires with reinforced sidewalls (+1) as this helps protect against cuts especially when used tubeless. The compound is Michelin's X-miles compound that is optimized to last a long time yet still has a decent rolling resistance and grip.


We've tested the 35-622 version as that is the perfect size for our mixed CX/Gravel category.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Michelin
Model Power Gravel
Year 2020
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
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Manufacturer part number 474057
EAN3528704740574
TPI 3x120
Compound X-Miles compound
Bead Folding
ETRTO 35-622
Specified Weight 380 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 73
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 33-622 (700x33c)
35-622 (700x35c)
40-622 (700x40c)
47-622 (700x47c)

Michelin Power Gravel 35 Test Results

Michelin Power Gravel 35  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 380 grams
Measured Weight 412 grams
Measured Width Casing 34 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 36 mm
Measured Height 32 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 1.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.6 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 2.30 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results


Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube None (30 ml sealant)

(current protocol)
Conti Cross28 (160 gr)

(test protocol)
Measured Width 34 mm 34 mm
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar
33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar
36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar
39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar
47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
High Air Pressure

(60 psi / 4.1 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar
33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar
39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar
47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 bar
Medium Air Pressure

(50 psi / 3.4 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar
33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar
36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar
39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar
47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 bar
Low Air Pressure

(40 psi / 2.8 bar)
20.3 Watts
CRR: 0.00609
24.1 Watts
CRR: 0.00722
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar
36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar
39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar
43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar
47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 bar
Extra Low Air Pressure

(30 psi / 2.1 bar)
23.1 Watts
CRR: 0.00692
28.1 Watts
CRR: 0.00842
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width.

All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs.

Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Michelin Power Gravel 35  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 42 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle 10
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 2.30 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results


Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average 59 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 1.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.6 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100
CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion


  • Michelin Power Gravel 35
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

We feel the Michelin Power Gravel is an excellent compromise between speed, protection, tire thickness, and knob height for a CX/Gravel tire. Rolling resistance is a bit higher when compared to the fastest CX/Gravel tires but you'll get better protection and knob height in return. We would be surprised if you had something to complain about with these tires.


If you've had troubles with cuts and punctures with other tires, the Power Gravel might be worth a try if you don't want to go all out on the most puncture-resistant CX/Gravel bike tires. Go to the CX/Gravel overview to compare against the other tires.


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RATING: 4.5 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended


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