Michelin Pro 2 Light V Michelin Pro 2 Race

top_bhoy

I was going to order my normal tyre, the Michelin Pro 2 Race when I saw that there is also a Pro 2 Light. Theres little to choose in terms of cost - is there any differences between them in terms of performance, durability and the ease of being fitted to a wheel? Any opinions from those who have used both or the Pro 2 Light would be welcome - I have experience of the Pro 2 Race.

Cheers

orv

They were reviewed in cycling plus recently, in summary they say the light are, er slightly lighter, but probably less punture resistant.
I'm riding race2's at the moment for my commute so I don't think I'd risk anything less durable, I might get some lights for weekend rides sometime.

Ashley_R

Use Pro race 2's for my best bike, thinking of upgrading to the lights for the next change, not that I expect to be able to notice that much difference!

Would be concerned about the puncture resistance aspect, so may keep with the normal ones for my winter bike
Watch me get multiple punctures next time out now!!

everogere

Pro Race 2 's here too..... no probs at all.

top_bhoy

Cheers for the replies. Think I'll be sticking to the Pro Race 2s as they would appear to have the better punture resistance and I know where I stand with them - sound and reliable.

PhilthyPhil

I haven't used either tyres but one thing to note is that the Pro 2 Light is only available in one size and one colour - 23mm light blue. It is also apparently more like 24mm than 23mm.

giant_man

I have been using ProRace and ProRace2s for two or three years now and I love them. Love the way they roll, and wear very well. A lot of people have doubted them in the wet but I haven't had any problems have to say. I don't know, but I have heard that the Lghts aren't as good, but I wouldn't know.

Why not wait until the recently launched Pro Race 3s come out? Sound good by all accounts.

top_bhoy

Hi Giant man, I agree with the Pro Race 2s. Not had any problems in the wet either - but I tend to sit more upright and take it easy in the wet anyway. When are the Pro Race 3 s out... I can put off by a month or so but not much longer judging by the condition I saw when changing punctures on Sunday? That said, the Pro Race 2s may be going for bargain prices when that happens

Uranus

I've had ProLight2s, Pro Race 2s, and Pro Race2 limited edition. The Pro light and the LEs had noticeably thinner rubber in the tread area.

They all felt very similar on the road. Fast rolling, light, comfortable, good grip. The lightness advantage of the thinner rubber is pretty small, and they are more prone to punctures through the tread area from tiny bits of glass, wire, etc.

But for serious racers on swept roads, with a support car not far behind, why not?

However . . . in my experience, even the ProRace2 is pretty marginal on public roads, not so much in the tread area but because the sidewalls are not very strong, and the tyres are likely to split in the sidewall if you hit potholes or road debris, pebbles, flints, etc., at speed.

The ProRace is not a tyre for English B-roads IMO.

giant_man

I think the PR2's you can get pretty reasonably about now anyway Top_Bhoy. As you say they're starting to come down already. I think the 3s are coming out fairly soon but not sure within a month.

top_bhoy

Cheers, I'll stick to the PR2s for now - they are pretty reasonably priced.

Uranus, interesting what you say about splitting of the sidewall on the PR2 if you hit potholes, road debris, etc., at speed. I've used the PR2s and the previous PR and have yet to experience this, which includes the country roads around Glasgow - maybe I am not going fast enough. However, one of the reasons I need to change is that the sidewall has worn away in places due simply by replacing it back onto the rim after punctures (its a very tight fit), so I wouldn't necessarily disagree with you, I just haven't experienced the problem..

Uranus

Top_Bhoy wrote:

Uranus, interesting what you say about splitting of the sidewall on the PR2 if you hit potholes, road debris, etc., at speed. I've used the PR2s and the previous PR and have yet to experience this, which includes the country roads around Glasgow - maybe I am not going fast enough.

- and maybe I'm not steering carefully enough

I mostly ride the streets of London, and Devon country lanes, year round, all weathers. I've had three failures like this with the ProRace series, so it's a case of three times bitten, four times shy for me. This was one on the Ride of the Falling Leaves last year:

http://www.quand.co.uk/images/michelin_pro_light.jpg

Anonymous

Just fyi - reviews of the tyres you're talking about have just been uploaded to the site...

PhilofCas

Uranus wrote:

Top_Bhoy wrote:

Uranus, interesting what you say about splitting of the sidewall on the PR2 if you hit potholes, road debris, etc., at speed. I've used the PR2s and the previous PR and have yet to experience this, which includes the country roads around Glasgow - maybe I am not going fast enough.

- and maybe I'm not steering carefully enough

I mostly ride the streets of London, and Devon country lanes, year round, all weathers. I've had three failures like this with the ProRace series, so it's a case of three times bitten, four times shy for me. This was one on the Ride of the Falling Leaves last year:

http://www.quand.co.uk/images/michelin_pro_light.jpg

Hi Uranus, what do you now use/recommend for typical GB B roads ?,

cheers,

Uranus

PhilofCas wrote:

Hi Uranus, what do you now use/recommend for typical GB B roads ?,

cheers,

Good question, I used to like Michelin Megamiums, not far off the ProRace for ability but much tougher. They've been replaced by the equally ridiculously named Krylion Carbon but I've not tried these yet. Do a search on this forum for Krylion and you will find some comments.

I've bought some Continental GP4000 now, haven't done enough miles to form a conclusion on toughness, but they seem good in other ways. There's always a trade-off of durability against grip, I'd rather have the grip.

giant_man

I use ProRace 2s on mostly B roads and have never encountered such problems as Uranus says, they've always been tough, grippy and durable to me. I have had GP4000s in the past and didn't like them so for me, it's Michelin.

SteveR_100Milers

You could also try Vredestein Fortezza tricomps which have had a number of very good reviews.
They grip better than PR2's in the wet, equally good in the dry, have an upper limit of 172 psi (you read that correct) vs 115 for the Michelins if high pressure is your bag. They are also around £12-£14 a pair which when I last bought some 6 months ago was about a fiver cheaper than PR's. Never had a single puncture in them in 12 months, had 2 in the PR's I have used. The only downside is the tread is softer so they don't last as long as the Michelins.

Uranus

giant mancp wrote:

for me, it's Michelin.

I've always preferred Michelin tyres too - but any shops I could get to were out of stock at the crucial moment, so I gave the Contis a go, despite reservations based on bad experiences with GatorSkins.

GP4000s seem OK so far, but as I said not really done many miles on them yet. The acid test is yet to come.

wildmoustache

I've used both. The Light is better for acceleration by a tiny bit but is significantly less puncture resistant. Don't bother is my advice.

Wait for the PR3 ... in between the two in weight, lower RR, and at least puncture resistant as the PR2

kleng

The normal Pro 2 race has an extra layer of puncture protection of the Pro 2 Light.

Pro 2 Race


Pro 2 Light

baudman

Ladies and Gentlemen... THAT (above) is an answer to the question!!!!

Well done!

top_bhoy

I think I'll leave it a month and see if there is a release date for the PR3 coming shortly!! If not, its the PR2 for me. From the opinions, the Lights seem to be a bit too prone to puncture in comparison.

Thanks

Hudster

I had Michelins and am now running the Contis. I have to say I prefered the Michelin's as I found they gave a nicer silkier ride and more protection. I am light and rarely puncture anyway, but I've had a couple with the Contis and have to make sure I put plenty of air in them - which makes them a bit harsh riding for my tastes.

andyp

Top_Bhoy wrote:

I think I'll leave it a month and see if there is a release date for the PR3 coming shortly!! If not, its the PR2 for me. From the opinions, the Lights seem to be a bit too prone to puncture in comparison.

Thanks

My understanding is that Pro3's will be available to OEMs in the next couple of months but won't be on general sale until spring 2008.

PhilofCas

Uranus wrote:

PhilofCas wrote:

Hi Uranus, what do you now use/recommend for typical GB B roads ?,

cheers,

Good question, I used to like Michelin Megamiums, not far off the ProRace for ability but much tougher. They've been replaced by the equally ridiculously named Krylion Carbon but I've not tried these yet. Do a search on this forum for Krylion and you will find some comments.

I've bought some Continental GP4000 now, haven't done enough miles to form a conclusion on toughness, but they seem good in other ways. There's always a trade-off of durability against grip, I'd rather have the grip.

Thanks Uranus, i'm in the market, just gathering info, had thought about Krylion's before, we'll see,

cheers.

Fab Foodie

Parkers Have Pro race s's for £16-95, that's about as cheap as you can get.

Think I'm gonna try some Krylions for my Winter/Audax wheels, there was some discussion on ACF about them and the general concensus seemed to be they were good. Again, Parkers have some great deals on tyres.
PR2's
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/P ... 114a3d57d9

rustychisel

uranus - what sort of pressure are you running those PR2's at? It can have a bearing with sidewall splits I reckon.

PS: I quite like Conti's but they do flippin' well square off after 1500km or so.

giant_man

Inflate at over 100psi every time, 110-120 ideally. The sidewalls don't split, they're fine.

Tom Butcher

I've just gone back to PRs after a couple of years away. They are a race tyre so you can expect them to cut up a bit on wet B roads over a winter but I've found them as tough as any other race tyre and they do seem to have the best combination of grip whilst rolling well of anything I've tried.

andrewgturnbull

Tom Butcher wrote:

I've just gone back to PRs after a couple of years away. They are a race tyre so you can expect them to cut up a bit on wet B roads over a winter but I've found them as tough as any other race tyre and they do seem to have the best combination of grip whilst rolling well of anything I've tried.

Hi there.

I too am back on pr2 after a brief encounter with GP4000s. The michelins definitely seem to roll faster and cut up less than the contis did.

I've also been using pro grips on my commuting bike - not really a winter tyre, but for those of us who like the feel of a race tyre all year round they do seem to be harder wearing and inspire a little more wet weather confidence.

Cheers, Andy