Road Bike Tire Test: Michelin Power Cup TLR 28
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 8.5 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 45 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 74 Points
- Conclusion: 4.8 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Michelin Power Cup TLR 28
(100% is best)
We already tested the 25 mm version of the Michelin Power Cup TLR back in 2022, and this time, we will look at the 28 mm version. Our tests show the 25 mm version of the Power Cup (read our review) to be one of the best performing road bike tires for all-round use, but the size and tread width was off a bit, making it unsuitable for modern wide rims.
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The most interesting parts of this test of the 28 mm Power Cup TLR are the size, casing width, and tread width measurements, as we usually don't find huge differences between different sizes of the same road bike tire in our tests. We will keep this short and jump onto the test results to see how it differs from the 25 mm version.
If you're looking for more information about the Michelin Power Cup TLR, please read our 25 mm Power Cup TLR review.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Michelin |
| Model | Power Cup TLR |
| Year | 2023 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | |
| TPI | 4x120 |
| Compound | Gum-X |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 28-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 28 |
| Specified Weight | 285 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 102 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
25-622 (700x25c) 28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) |
Michelin Power Cup TLR 28 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 285 grams |
| Measured Weight | 283 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
303 grams |
| Measured Width | 29 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 26 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.5 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 75 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 | None (20 ml sealant) |
| Measured Width | 29 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) |
8.5 Watts CRR: 0.00255 |
| 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) |
9.0 Watts CRR: 0.00270 |
| 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) |
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 (54 psi / 3.7 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 | 45 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 TLR 28
(100% is best)
Although they come in very close, the 28 mm version of the Michelin Power Cup TLR edges out the 25 mm version (read our review) in most of our tests, making it an even stronger performer when compared to competing tires. We see a slightly lower rolling resistance, slightly better puncture resistance of both the tread and sidewall, and slightly better wet grip in both the center and edge tests.
The most interesting measurements here are the size and tread width, which confirm that the Michelin Cup TLR isn't made for wide rims. Although the tread is slightly wider (+ 1 mm) on the 28 mm version, the total tread cover is even lower as (obviously) the casing of the 28 mm version is wider than the 25 mm version. The 28 mm version of the Michelin Power Cup TLR is now the tire with the lowest tread cover (35%) of all road bike tires tested to date, with most of the competition offering at least 40% tread cover.
You don't have to worry about running out of grip when leaning into corners, as our edge grip test indicates plenty of grip at high lean angles. The problem with the small tread is a higher chance of damaging the sidewalls when going through corners, as there will be situations where the sidewalls will be in contact with the road (low pressures, high lean angles, wide rims).
Just like the 25 mm version of the Power Cup TLR, we don't recommend the 28 mm version for wide rims. If you're still running 15 or 17 mm rims, these will probably be fine and offer incredible performance.
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RATING:
4.8
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended