The secrets of Michelin’s fastest-ever tyre compounds

After a quick two-day launch in Austin, Texas, to debut its new Power line of road tyres, Michelin flew a large group of international cycling journalists to its world headquarters in Ladoux near Clermont Ferrand, France, for further information and testing. The site is impressive, with new buildings under construction at present and more than 3,300 people working at Michelin’s research and development headquarters.

Related: Michelin Power tyre line boasts low rolling resistance, high puncture protection

Michelin was the first tyre manufacturer in the world to build test tracks for real-world review and development of its products. Today, in Ladoux, Michelin has 20 different test tracks covering 43km on its 450-hectare (1,112 acres) facility. The Power line was developed and tested here.

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Michelin’s new Power line of tyres

As US editor Ben Delaney mentioned in his first-ride review of the Power Competition, Michelin is making big claims about its new line of Power tyres. The company claims the new tyres are faster than their Michelin predecessors and quicker than similar models from many competing brands (though Michelin wouldn’t name names). To help back up their claims, Michelin sent its new range of tyres to Wheel Energy, an independent, third party testing lab in Finland.

Bold claims need backing up

Impressive consistency

• 54 seconds saved on World Championship time trial
• 1 min 4 seconds saved on Alpe d’Huez (equal to a loss of 1.5 kilograms in weight)
• 4 min 30 seconds saved over and Ironman bike course (3x the gain with an aero wheelset)
• 776 meters farther in the conditions of the hour record

Power Endurance: first impressions

Tyre specs

Power Competition

• 23mm (195g), 25mm (215g)
• Three 180tpi plies
• New Michelin Race compound, slick tread
• Aramid Protek breaker under center of tread
• Tread Wear Indicator
• Black
• 10 Watts faster than Michelin Pro4 Service Course

Power Endurance

• 23mm (220g), 25mm (230g), 28mm (255g)
• Three 110tpi plies
• Dual compound tread using Michelin’s new X-Miles Compound
• Aramid Protek+ breaker under center of tread
• Ship’s Bow” grooving for enhanced grip
• Tread Wear Indicator
• Black in all widths, Black/Red/Blue in 23/25, White in 23/25
• 8.6 Watts faster than competing brand as tested by Wheel Energy Finland

You can read more at BikeRadar.com