Michelin Pro 4 Service Course - any good?

jordan_217

After the last pair of GP4000S' lasted >500 miles before becoming shredded, I'm not sure I want to risk another pair. (have they changed the compound?).

I'm looking at the Michelin Pro 4's as an alternative. Are they any good? Just want a training tyre but something with a bit of zip. Basically an alternative GP4000S.

drlodge

Same boat as me. Nothing wrong with the GP4000S, mine lasted > 3000 miles in all weathers. I've just put a set of Pro 4 Service Course on my Rourke, only done 1 ride with them, and they seem fine (didn't shred or puncture!). I'm not yet convinced if they ride any "better" than the GP4000S, certianly they're not in the save league as the Vittoria Open Paves, but then the Paves cut up very easily. Grip is perhaps more sticky...hard to tell.

Grill

Used both. Prefer the Pro4 SC. They don't shred like the Pro3 or 4000s.

giant_man

Yeah, the Pro4 SC are nice.

Monty Dog

Race-weight tyres, so don't expect huge mileage, I'd expect 1000 miles before they'd be shredded beyond use.

drlodge

Well if they don't shred like GP4000S, and my GP4000S lasted over 3000 miles, I would expect them to last more than 1,000 miles :?

Grill

Monty Dog wrote:

Race-weight tyres, so don't expect huge mileage, I'd expect 1000 miles before they'd be shredded beyond use.

I've had 3 pairs. All lasted over 3000 miles. They're only 5g lighter than the 4000s, so hardly race-weight (the Comp and Comp LTD are the race models).

jordan_217

Thanks folks. Words of praise from people who seem to know their stuff, good enough for me.

Ordered. FYI - currently £40 a pair from Merlin.

Grill

Bargain, think I'll order a new pair too...

Wirral_paul

Grill wrote:

Bargain, think I'll order a new pair too...

+1 to that - lovely tyres and at £20ea delivered a great buy (and great find 8) ). I've just ordered another set for my deep carbon wheels (got some on the shallow section summer wheels also). I've got the 25mm Pro4 Endurance version on my winter / training wheels also.

meanredspider

Shame they're only 23c

jordan_217

meanredspider wrote:

Shame they're only 23c

They're gonna dress the new wheels I'm getting built by Malcolm at The Cycle Clinic. He's advised the rims I'm going for are slightly wider and should give a 23mm tyre the footprint of a 24-25mm tyre, giving a bit more comfort and grip in the corners. Downside - 3 week lead time

If you dont mind red and 23mm then these are even cheaper at £16

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/michelin ... 70153.html

meanredspider

jordan_217 wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Shame they're only 23c

They're gonna dress the new wheels I'm getting built by Malcolm at The Cycle Clinic. He's advised the rims I'm going for are slightly wider and should give a 23mm tyre the footprint of a 24-25mm tyre, giving a bit more comfort and grip in the corners. Downside - 3 week lead time

If you dont mind red and 23mm then these are even cheaper at £16

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/michelin ... 70153.html

Thanks. I currently have 25c though which I like. Offers quite common on these tyres now

northpole

Very odd that these tyres are having to be pitched below the 4000s. I have had a Pro 4 SC on my back wheel all through the winter, used daily for a short commute in central London. They have some cuts on them but incredibly I've only had one punc*ure. I think they are a great all round tyre perfect for this time of year.

Peter

passout

Yes they are good. I like the endurance version for a winter tyre.

eddiefiola

i have them on the archetypes I got from thecycleclinic, coming from gp4000s I'm pretty impressed with them.

drlodge

eddiefiola wrote:

i have them on the archetypes I got from thecycleclinic, coming from gp4000s I'm pretty impressed with them.

On a 32 spoker, that's one strong wheel! Probably a bit stiffer and a smidge heavier than my 32H Ambrosio Excellight rimmed wheels.

eddiefiola

Yeah, 6ft 2 and 97kg, but getting it down, you certainly dont have to worry about any holes in the road with this wheelset and 25mm tires

drlodge

Good to see someone using sensible wheels for their needs! I'm 5' 9" and 77kg...32H is more than enough for me too

jordan_217

drlodge wrote:

Good to see someone using sensible wheels for their needs! I'm 5' 9" and 77kg...32H is more than enough for me too

:shock: I'm 80kg and have gone for 20/24 but did discuss thoroughly with Malcolm first. My rim choice is plenty stiff enough to compensate for the lower spoke count apparently. He's the wheel builder and I'm not, so I'll trust him

eddiefiola

the wheels i used for 3500kms before were 16/21, so between that and 28/32 is quite a difference, had no issues at all with the 16/21, maybe a little bit of flex when really pushing it, but Malcolm recommended this stronger build so i'll listen to the expert.

ViperS15

They're a great tyre. For those wanting 25C why not go for the Endurance version? There isn't that much loss of performance in them and you get more puncture protection too.

Pro 4 SC hunters should have a look at this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mich ... prod113810

darkhairedlord

Suffered more cuts than a thatcher government

bendertherobot

ViperS15 wrote:

They're a great tyre. For those wanting 25C why not go for the Endurance version? There isn't that much loss of performance in them and you get more puncture protection too.

Pro 4 SC hunters should have a look at this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mich ... prod113810

There's no all black one though. that's what stopped me.

Lifeboy123

I have both Gp4000s and Pro 4 SC.....I prefer the Continental , better grip , hard wearing

Grill

darkhairedlord wrote:

Suffered more cuts than a thatcher government

On Pro3's perhaps, the Pro4 don't have that problem.

ovi

I like the pro4 sc and use them in all weathers and on old farm lanes with no problems.

bendip

jordan_217 wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Shame they're only 23c

They're gonna dress the new wheels I'm getting built by Malcolm at The Cycle Clinic. He's advised the rims I'm going for are slightly wider and should give a 23mm tyre the footprint of a 24-25mm tyre, giving a bit more comfort and grip in the corners. Downside - 3 week lead time

If you dont mind red and 23mm then these are even cheaper at £16

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/michelin ... 70153.html

Thanks for the link, ordered a pair, just took off a pair of pro 4 endurance and i think they were a least as good as the old krylions, had one flat in 3000 miles, 23mm fine for me as my steel frame won't take 25's with it's oem mudguards

buzzwold

About to put on my third pair of Mich Pro 4s in just over a 18 months. Only one puncture and that was on Saturday. Word of warning for those that like coloured walls. My first pair I had to send back as the black top section was splitting where it had been bonded to the white part of the tyre at the sides. Current pair are also splitting in the same place (but have had a reasonable amount of use so not complaining).
Apart from that. Fault free, so guessing the all black ones don't have the same problem.

drlodge

Having just done 72 hilly and fast miles (well fast for me) around Ashdown Forest yesterday on the Pro4 SC, I am liking these tyres. They seem a little more resilient that the Conti GP4000S, not so "dead" and may be a bit more grippy. In other respects, much the same. Didn't suffer any sudden deflation issues, but then I generally don't.

alihisgreat

I bought a pair from Planet-X when they were £15 each.

Hit a pothole at ~30mph in a race though and ripped the sidewall on the rear after only ~50 miles. I've since bought another rear (although the offer had expired so had to fork out £23!) and they seem to ride really nicely. They roll very well, feel nicer than the GP4000s i'd been using previously, and look pretty decent too.