Road Bike Tire Test: Michelin Power Time Trial 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 10.6 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 35 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 67 Points
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Michelin Power Time Trial 25
(100% is best)
As the name suggests, the Michelin Power Time Trial serves only one purpose: shaving those last few seconds off the clock to gain an edge on the competition. This means the Power Time Trial was built for speed first and foremost. Puncture resistance and durability aren't the most important design criteria for a tire like the Power Time Trial.
The Power Time Trial looks very similar to the Power Competition (read our review) that has been available since 2016 as both use the same 3x180 TPI casing. The main difference between the Power Time Trial and Power Competition is that the Power Time Trial is thinner, lighter, and less puncture resistant. This is achieved by omitting the anti-puncture strip and also applying a thinner layer of rubber to the tire.
The rubber compound also received an update and is now called the "Race-2 compound" while the Power Competition uses the "Race compound". This compound change probably shaved another bit of rolling resistance off the total rolling resistance.
If you're looking for one of the fastest road bike tires out there, the Power Time Trial definitely should be on your list. Read on to find out more about how this tire performs in our tests.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Michelin |
| Model | Power Time Trial |
| Year | 2020 |
| Tire Type | Tubetype (clincher) |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 146938 |
| EAN | 3528701469386 |
| TPI | 3x180 |
| Compound | Race-2 compound |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 190 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 116 |
| Made In | Pro Data |
| Available Sizes |
23-622 (700x23c) 25-622 (700x25c) |
Michelin Power Time Trial 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 190 grams |
| Measured Weight | 206 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + inner tube (100 gr) |
306 grams |
| Measured Width | 27 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 24 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.1 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 66 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Pro Data |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Pro Data |
| 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) |
Pro Data |
| 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) |
Pro Data |
| 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) |
10.6 Watts CRR: 0.00318 |
| 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) |
Pro Data |
| 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 | 35 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 8 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Pro Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.1 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Pro Data |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Pro Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Pro Data |
Static Grip Test Results
NOTE: Grip test data is only available on tires tested after November 2018. You can find more information about our grip test here: Introducing Grip Testing
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 67 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Pro Data |
| Wet Grip Edge | Pro Data |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Michelin Power Time Trial 25
(100% is best)
The Michelin Power Time Trial is now the fastest tube-type road bike tire on the market. With the 100 grams butyl tube we use for our "standard" test protocol, it's just a bit slower than the fastest tubeless tires. As expected, puncture resistance isn't very high but still acceptable as most similar tires built for speed score the same 8 points in this test.
We also tested the Power Time Trial with a latex tube to see if it could come close to the fastest tubeless tires. The Power Time Trial with a latex tube shows us rolling resistance is the same as the ultra-fast tubeless Vittoria Corsa Speed G+ 2.0 at high air pressures. Only at very low air pressures, the tubeless Corsa Speed is a bit faster. If you're still using inner tubes and looking for the fastest tires, the Power Time Trial with latex inner tubes is what you should be looking for.
RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended