Road Bike Tire Test: Michelin Power Road TLR
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 10.1 watts
- Puncture Resistance: 9 tread / 5 sidewall
- Conclusion: 4 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Michelin Power Road TLR
(100% is fastest - lightest - thickest - strongest)
The Michelin Power Road TLR is Michelin's entrance into the tubeless road bike tire market. The Power Road TLR is similar to the regular tube-type Power Road (read our review) that we tested a couple of weeks back. The Michelin Power Road series can be characterized as all-round road bike tires that strike a good balance between both training and racing use.
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The main difference between the tubeless Power Road TLR and tube-type Power Road is the casing that has been changed from 3x120 TPI + anti-puncture strip under the tread to a 4x120 TPI casing without an anti-puncture strip. The anti-puncture strip is replaced by a newly designed "Air Proof" layer that runs from bead to bead and, with the help of tubeless sealant, results in a tire that seals very well.
For people that have had a hard time inflating tubeless tires or are new to tubeless road bike tires, the Power Road TLR was by far the easiest tire to set up tubeless. It even inflated very easily on the first try with an old partially clogged valve core in place. The design of this tire results in a very round and stiff tire that pushes the beads outwards like a spring when installed on the rim.
The compound is the same X-Race compound and the tread thickness is also similar to the tube-type Power Road. The available sizes have moved up a size to 25-622, 28-622, and 32-622 which seems to be a trend with tubeless road bike tires.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Michelin |
| Model | Power Road TLR |
| Year | 2020 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 876172 |
| EAN | 3528708761728 |
| TPI | 4x120 |
| Compound | X-Race compound |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Width | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 275 grams |
| Max Pressure | 116 |
| Made In | Thailand |
| Available Sizes |
25-622 (700x25c) 28-622 (700x28c) 32-622 (700x32c) |
Michelin Power Road TLR Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 275 grams |
| Measured Weight | 267 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
287 grams |
| Measured Width | 27 mm |
| Measured Height | 24 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.7 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | 1 mm |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 67 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | 25 mm |
| 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 | None (20 ml sealant) |
|
Rolling Resistance 140 PSI / 9.7 Bar |
Not Tested CRR: Not Tested |
|
Rolling Resistance 120 PSI / 8.3 Bar |
10.1 Watts CRR: 0.00303 |
|
Rolling Resistance 100 PSI / 6.9 Bar |
10.7 Watts CRR: 0.00321 |
|
Rolling Resistance 80 PSI / 5.5 Bar |
12.1 Watts CRR:0.00363 |
|
Rolling Resistance 60 PSI / 4.1 Bar |
14.3 Watts CRR: 0.00429 |
| 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) | |
|---|---|
| Puncture Resistance Tread | 9 Points |
| Puncture Resistance Sidewall | 5 Points |
Conclusion
- Michelin Power Road TLR
(100% is fastest - lightest - thickest - strongest)
The Michelin Power Road TLR performs very well but comes a bit short in nearly all tests when compared to the Grand Prix 5000 TL (read our review). The only advantage it has over the 5000 TL is a slightly lower weight of about ~30 grams per tire. Compared to other top performing all-round tubeless road bike tires, its specifications and performance are very similar.
We recommend this tire to anyone looking to try an alternative tubeless road bike tire. The performance differences are small and will be hard to notice on the road. Another advantage, that can be a huge advantage for some, is the ease of inflation the Power Road TLR provides. If you had a hard time inflating tubeless tires, the Power Road TLR helps to make your life easier.
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RATING:
4
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended