Road Bike Tire Test: Michelin Pro 4 Service Course 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 18.4 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 72 Points
- Static Wet Grip: No Data
- Conclusion: 4.0 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Michelin Pro 4 Service Course 25
(100% is best)
NOTE: From November 1, 2022, the road bike category has been updated to support multi tire sizes. Because the measured width of this tire is wider or narrower than the original values, the rolling resistance test results have been revised.
The Pro 4 Service Course 700 x 25C is the all-round tire of the Pro 4 road bike line from Michelin, which is the successor of the Pro 3 line. The Pro part means you will get the best tires Michelin is able to build. The Pro 4 line consists of 5 tires which all excel in their own discipline as grip, puncture resistance, rolling resistance, and durability. The Pro 4 Service Course tries to combine the best of these disciplines in one road bike tire.
Because Michelin is one of the most popular manufacturers of road bike tires, I had to include at least a single Michelin road bike tire. The Service Course might be a bit too tough for a test focused on rolling resistance. The Comp Service Course might have been a better fit. According to Michelin, the Comp has a 7% lower rolling resistance at the cost of some puncture resistance, I might test this tire in the future.
As always, I'm testing the 25C version of this tire. After mounting the tire on a 17C rim, I was surprised by the size of this tire. This is a very wide tire with a lot of air volume, real measured width is 28 mm and height is 26 mm, which makes this tire close to a 28C tire in reality. Make sure it will fit your frame when buying this tire.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Michelin |
| Model | Pro 4 Service Course |
| Year | 2014 |
| Tire Type | Tubetype (clincher) |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Med |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 446783 |
| TPI | 110 |
| Compound | Dual Compound |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 215 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 109 |
| Made In | Pro Data |
| Available Sizes |
20-622 (700x20C) 23-622 (700x23C) 25-622 (700x25C) 23-671 (650x23C) |
Michelin Pro 4 Service Course 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 215 grams |
| Measured Weight | 222 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + inner tube (100 gr) |
322 grams |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 26 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. | |
With a measured weight of 222 grams, this is quite a light tire, but still a bit heavier than the 215 grams specified by Michelin. It's interesting to note that weight doesn't directly relate to rolling resistance or puncture resistance (as seen below). The type of materials used definitely makes a bigger difference than the amount of materials used.
As previously noted, the 25C Pro 4 Service course measures 28 mm wide on a 17C rim at 100 psi. Height is 26 mm.
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) |
18.4 Watts CRR: 0.00552 |
| 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. |
|
NOTE: From November 1, 2022, the road bike category has been updated to support multi tire sizes. Because the measured width of this tire is wider or narrower than the original values, the rolling resistance test results have been revised. Some parts of the text below might still be based on the initial fixed air pressures.
Rolling resistance is not as low as other high-end tires like the Continental GP4000S II or Schwalbe One. At an air pressure of 120 psi, rolling resistance is 14.9 watts. Dropping air pressure to 100 psi results in a rolling resistance of 16 watts. At an even lower air pressure of 80 psi, rolling resistance increases to 17.6 watts. This means that, depending on air pressure, rolling resistance is 2.7 to 4.6 watts higher when compared to the Continental Grand Prix 4000S II.
The Michelin Pro 4 Comp should perform a bit better in the rolling resistance test when compared to the Service Course. It should also be more comparable to tires like the GP4000S and Schwalbe One. Unfortunately, it's not available in a 25 mm version. Let's hope the future Pro 5 series will include a 25 mm Comp version.
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 |
While performance isn't that good in the rolling resistance test, it excels in the puncture resistance test, with a score of 15, it's a step up on the puncture resistance scale when compared to the Grand Prix 4000S II(11) and Schwalbe One (12). Combined with the low weight, this makes the Pro 4 Service Course an excellent all-round tire.
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 Service Course 25
(100% is best)
With a real measured width of 28 mm, this should be a 28C tire. If you're coming from 20/23 mm tires and want something with more volume, this is a very big step up. Puncture resistance is very good and it rolls quite well. If you want a little faster rolling road bike tire from Michelin and don't mind a bit less puncture resistance, take a look at the Pro 4 Comp.
If you get a lot of flats, you should consider the Michelin Pro 4 Service Course as it's the most puncture resistant tire that still has a relatively low rolling resistance. With road bike tires, you'll always run into the rolling resistance/puncture resistance trade-off, there's nothing you can do about it. I recommend this tire on its puncture resistance Vs rolling resistance qualities.
RATING:
4.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended