Road Bike Tire Test: Michelin Pro 4 Endurance v2 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 17.2 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 72 Points
- Static Wet Grip: No Data
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Michelin Pro 4 Endurance v2 25
(100% is best)
The Michelin Pro 4 Endurance is the toughest member of the Pro 4 range. It offers a 3x110 TPI casing, a Bi-Compound rubber compound, and an HD Protection layer that runs from bead to bead. This tire seems to be optimized for increased durability and high puncture protection. It doesn't seem like this is a true all-season tire when looking at the specifications. For true all-season performance, you should turn to the Pro 4 Grip.
When we compare the Pro 4 Endurance with the Pro 4 Service Course (review), the only difference seems to be the HD Protection layer that runs from bead to bead in the Endurance version. The Service Course has this layer only under the tread area, which saves 30 grams of weight. All other specifications seem to be very similar.
I'm testing the v2 version of the Pro 4 Endurance. In March 2015, Michelin quietly introduced v2 versions of the Service Course, Endurance, and Pro 4 Grip. After hearing about this and looking at the press release, I was convinced they didn't make any significant changes except for a 28 mm version of the Endurance and a new prettier packaging. After testing the Endurance v2, this doesn't seem to be true; real improvements have been made with the v2 version.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Michelin |
| Model | Pro 4 Endurance v2 |
| Year | 2015 |
| Tire Type | Tubetype (clincher) |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 972649 |
| TPI | 3x110 |
| Compound | Bi Compound |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 245 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 109 |
| Made In | Pro Data |
| Available Sizes |
23-622 (700x23C) 25-622 (700x25C) |
Michelin Pro 4 Endurance v2 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 245 grams |
| Measured Weight | 245 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + inner tube (100 gr) |
345 grams |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 25 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.9 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Unmounted Casing Width | No Data |
| Unmounted Tread Width | No Data |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | No Data |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Just like the Pro 4 Service Course I reviewed last year (review), the Pro 4 Endurance is a very big tire. The measured width on a 17C rim is 28 mm. Height is 25 mm, which is 1 mm less than the Service Course. This could be because there is less stretch in the Endurance, which has reinforced sidewalls. The measured weight comes in at exactly the specified weight: 245 grams.
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | Conti Race28 (100gr butyl) |
| Measured Width | 28 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 (108 psi / 7.4 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 (90 psi / 6.2 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 (72 psi /5.0 bar) |
17.2 Watts CRR: 0.00516 |
| 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 (54 psi / 3.7 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. |
|
Surprisingly, the Pro 4 Endurance v2 has less rolling resistance than the Pro 4 Service Course I reviewed last year. I even retested my 1-year-old sample of the Service Course to verify the results. After being stored for more than a year, rolling resistance of the Service Course had increased by 0.3 - 0.5 watts when compared to the tests done in June 2014. Because the Endurance is a tougher version of the Service Course, this only makes sense if Michelin did improve something with the v2 version.
On average, rolling resistance of the Endurance v2 seems to be 1 watt less than the 2014 Service Course. Although maximum air pressure, as indicated on the sidewall, is 109 psi, I did take measurements at 120 psi to make it possible to compare all tires against each other. At 120 psi, rolling resistance is 14.2 watts (14.9 SC) At 100 psi, rolling resistance is 14.9 watts (16.0 SC) At 80 psi, rolling resistance is 16.3 watts (17.6 SC). (SC = Service Course)
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 72 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 15 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.9 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Pro Data |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Pro Data |
With the Pro 4 Endurance, I've introduced a new test: sidewall puncture resistance. I found this to be necessary because the only difference between the Service Course and Endurance seems to be the Protective layer that runs from bead to bead in the Endurance version. The Service Course has a smaller protective layer which is only located under the tread area.
Just like the Service Course, tread puncture resistance is 15 points. As expected, sidewall puncture resistance has increased to 8 points from the 6 points of the Service Course. From this data, we can conclude that the HD protective layer that runs from bead to bead results in a 33% stronger sidewall.
While the Pro 4 range doesn't excel in rolling resistance, puncture resistance is excellent. A score of 15 / 8 points is very good.
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 | No Data |
| Wet Grip Center | No Data |
| Wet Grip Edge | No Data |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Michelin Pro 4 Endurance v2 25
(100% is best)
The interesting thing about this test is that rolling resistance of the Endurance v2 is lower than the Service Course v1. When looking at the construction of both tires, this doesn't make sense. This seems to point to real improvements in the v2 versions of the Pro 4 line. It makes me wonder how much lower rolling resistance of the Service Course v2 is. When Michelin releases the Pro 5 line, I will do a full review of the entire range.
It also seems like Michelin has closed the gap to it's biggest competitors a bit with the v2 versions of the Pro 4 line. With the Pro 4 Endurance v2, you get a much stronger tire than the Conti Grand Prix 4000S II (review) or Schwalbe One (review). This comes at the cost of about 2 - 3 watts of rolling resistance per tire.
RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended