Michelin have launched the Pro4 Endurance training tyre in a 28mm version to complement the existing 23mm and 25mm tyres.
The Endurance is part of a six-tyre Pro4 line-up which ranges from the super-light Pro4 Comp Limited Service Course to the wet-weather Pro4 Grip Service Course.
Where does the Endurance sit in the mix? It’s a rubber which strikes a balance between puncture protection, grip, longevity and performance, and that’s earned it a place as one of our favourite training tyres. The Endurance has a dual compound construction, with a hard-wearing central section and softer shoulders for grip, and combines a 110TPI casing and bead-to-bead breaker for plenty of puncture protection.
Wider tyres are all the rage and while the Pro4 Endurance was already available as a 25mm rubber, this 28mm version ups the ante even further for cyclists in search of a plusher ride. An increasing number of bikes, and particularly those aimed at the sportive and ‘endurance’ market, have clearance for 28mm tyres, though it’s worth noting that, in our experience, Michelin Pro4 Endurance tyres can come up bigger than they’re stated size.
We’ve ran through the benefits of wider tyres (or anything bigger than 23mm, really) before but, to recap, a fatter tyre can be used at a lower pressure without increasing the risk of pinch flats, while offering a more stable ride quality and, in some cases, a marginal improvement in rolling resistance.
A 25mm tyre, by our reckoning, typically strikes a balance between the low weight of a narrower tyre and the benefits of wider rubber, but Michelin are pitching the 28mm Pro4 Endurance as a tyre which improves comfort again, while offering additional versatility for use on varies road surfaces, including gravel and cobblestones. We have a set on their way to us from France to test.
The 28mm tyre weighs a claimed 285g, compared to 245g and 225g for the 25mm and 23mm Endurance tyres respectively.
The Michelin Pro4 Endurance 28mm will be in the shops from April and UK pricing is to be confirmed.
