Road Bike Tire Test: Michelin Power Cup 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 10.6 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 50 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 74 Points
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Michelin Power Cup 25
(100% is best)
The latest addition to the Michelin Power range of road bike tires is the Power Cup, available in both a TLR (tubeless-ready) and a traditional tube-type (clincher) version. We tested the Power Cup TLR (read our review) a couple of months back, and it turned out to be nearly perfect, although we found some shortcomings when using the TLR version on modern wide rims.
The Power Cup can be considered a versatile "all-round" road bike tire that can be used for racing, training, and everything in between. The main competitor in the all-round category is the well-known Continental Grand Prix 5000 (read our review), that's been around since 2018. When looking at Michelin's road bike tire lineup, the Power Cup replaces both the Power Competition and the Power Road as the Power Cup is quite a step up and outperforms both the Power Competition and Power Road.
When compared to the Power Cup TLR, which comes with a 4x120 TPI casing and a "Tubeless Shield" layer that runs from bead to bead, the tube-type Power Cup comes with a more traditional 3x120 TPI casing with an extra layer of "Aramid Shield" anti-puncture material under the center of the tread. The thing both tires have in common is the compound as they both use Michelin's latest "Gum-X" compound that shows very strong performance in our tests.
When looking at the available sizes, Michelin seems quite conservative as the tube-type version of the Power Cup is available only in the 23-622, 25-622, and 28-622 sizes. With many road bikers moving up to 28, 30, and 32 mm tires, we would have loved to see some bigger versions as well.
As usual, we've tested the 25-622 version of the Power Cup and compared it to the leading competitors from the most popular brands.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Michelin |
| Model | Power Cup |
| Year | 2022 |
| Tire Type | Tubetype (clincher) |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 016392 |
| EAN | 3528700163926 |
| TPI | 3x120 |
| Compound | Gum-X |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 215 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 116 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
23-622 (700x23c) 25-622 (700x25c) 28-622 (700x28c) |
Michelin Power Cup 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 215 grams |
| Measured Weight | 218 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + inner tube (100 gr) |
318 grams |
| Measured Width | 27 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 24 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.5 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 66 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Members Only |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | Conti Race28 (100gr butyl) |
| Measured Width | 27 mm (un-round) |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar 25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar 28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 barUltra High Air Pressure (120 psi / 8.3 bar) |
10.6 Watts CRR: 0.00318 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar 25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar 28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 barExtra High Air Pressure (100 psi / 6.9 bar) |
11.4 Watts CRR: 0.00342 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar 25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar 28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 barHigh Air Pressure (80 psi / 5.5 bar) |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 barMedium Air Pressure (60 psi / 4.1 bar) |
Members Only |
| The Road Bike 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 | 50 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.5 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 74 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Michelin Power Cup 25
(100% is best)
Our tests show that the Michelin Power Cup is one of the strongest performing tires when it comes to the traditional tube-type (clincher) tires. We put it on equal footing with the Continental Grand Prix 5000 (read our review) as it's a little bit slower rolling but shows nearly perfect performance in our wet grip test. When deciding between the Power Cup or Grand Prix 5000, it will be up to the individual to decide if they prefer the slightly lower rolling resistance or the better wet grip.
Like most other Michelin road bike tires we've tested over the years, the actual size of the Power Cup doesn't come close to the advertised size. The 25 mm Power Cup measured width came in at 27.1 mm, which is quite large but a bit more true to size than the TLR version (27.7 mm) (read our review). The good news is that the tread width and tread cover are a bit better on the tube-type Power Cup, and the risk of sidewall damage will be limited when sticking to the recommended rim widths.
RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended