CX/Gravel Tire Test: Michelin Pro 5 TLR 40

The Michelin Pro 5 TLR has quickly gained popularity on our website due to its balanced performance and competitive pricing compared to many other options. To meet the growing demand for larger tires, Michelin has introduced a new, 40 mm size, in addition to the existing 25, 28, 30, 32, and 35 mm sizes, putting pressure on the competition.

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Having tested the 28, 32, and 35 mm sizes, we have a good sense of what to expect from the Pro 5 TLR. The 40 mm size is particularly intriguing, as there is relatively little competition in this tire size for fast (slick) bike tires. However, we are seeing increasing demand from gravel bikers seeking a fast, high-volume road tire.

From our previous tests, the 35 mm size remains the best-performing Pro 5 TLR. This makes the introduction of the 40 mm size even more interesting. Some brands have shown that larger sizes often come with increased volume and a thicker tread, which can be beneficial in some cases but not for everyone.

Our website is organized into sections: Road, CX/Gravel, MTB, and Tour. The 28 and 32 mm sizes are categorized in the road bike section, while the 35 and 40 mm sizes are found in the CX/Gravel section, making direct comparisons a bit more complicated. Pro Members can utilize Pro View, which allows them to compare all 474 tires we have tested so far in a single overview!

In this review, we will mainly compare the 40 mm Pro 5 TLR with the 35 mm size, as well as a selection of 35- and 40-mm tires from competing brands. We want to extend our gratitude to all Pro Members for their support and for participating in the tire voting system each month.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Michelin
Model	Pro 5 TLR
Year	2026
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	507201
EAN	3528705072018
TPI	120
Compound	Gum-X
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	40-622
Specified Weight	455 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	65
Made In	Pro Data
Available Sizes	25-622 (700x25c) 28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) 32-622 (700x32c) 35-622 (700x35c) 40-622 (700x40c)

Michelin Pro 5 TLR 40 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	455 grams
Measured Weight	462 grams
Measured Width Casing	38 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	36 mm
Measured Height	Pro Data
Tire Circumference	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.0 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	3.10 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Pro Data
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)
Measured Width	38 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 barHigh Air Pressure (54 psi / 3.7 bar)	Pro Data
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 barMedium Air Pressure (45 psi / 3.1 bar)	Pro Data
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 barLow Air Pressure (36 psi / 2.6 bar)	14.8 Watts CRR: 0.00444
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 barExtra Low Air Pressure (27 psi / 1.9 bar)	Pro Data
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

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	48 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	3.10 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Pro Data

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	77 Points
Wet Grip Center	Pro Data
Wet Grip Edge	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.0 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

We found that the 40 mm Michelin Pro 5 TLR delivers balanced performance similar to that of the 28, 32, and 35 mm sizes we tested earlier. However, the 40 mm size has a slightly thicker tread than the 35 mm size, resulting in marginally higher rolling resistance in our tests. With a width of 38.4 mm, the 40 mm size offers a significant increase in volume.

When considering on-road performance alone, the 40 mm Pro 5 TLR does not perform as well as the 35 mm size. We observe increased rolling resistance, higher weight, and the expected greater aerodynamic drag; thus, the 35 mm size is a better choice for those prioritizing on-road speed. We recommend the 40 mm size when volume is the main concern.

In comparison to the competition in the 40 mm category, the Michelin Pro 5 TLR stands out. There are no other 40 mm full-slick road and gravel bike tires that roll faster, provide superior all-around wet grip (both center and edge), and offer decent puncture resistance for both the tread and sidewalls. Additionally, its value for money is excellent.

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RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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