Anybody use Michelin City Road Tires? (700 x 32)
 

I'm fixing up my old road bike as a weekend bike that I'll keep at my girlfriends, and I'm interested if anybody has any first-hand experience with Michelin City Road tires (700c-32 if it makes a difference)

http://tinyurl.com/lst9wev

The usage will vary from 20-30 mile weekend rides with my girlfriend to the occasional run to the nearby grocery store, etc.

I'll be riding exclusively on dry pavement, generally fair condition but some potholes.

The bike will handle 32mm but that is about as wide as I can go.

I'm a clyde-like ~215. Bike + rider = ~240 lb.

I'm looking for something between a training tire and a bulletproof commuter tire, something that is fairly puncture-resistant but still provides some grip and "feel" of a road bike. Most of the hazards will be glass and potholes, not too many thorns.

Any thoughts?

The Michelin City Road tires look like they would be suitable, and have generally good reviews. At $25ish they are affordable, but I'm willing to pay more for a better tire if necessary.

The Conti Top Contact II looks interesting but is probably too much on the bulletproof side. Also, I can't find those in 700x32.

Thanks in advance!

-Tom in SoCal

Got them on my son's city bike (don't recall the size) but he has been rolling them for close to a year with no issues, and he is a big boy.

Aaron :)

Thanks Aaron.

I have them on my touring bike in 26X1.85

I run them at just under 90 psi and have toured fully loaded (85# bike and gear) and everyday riding with some dirt trail stretches.

Can't complain

I also have the same size as LenA, 26x1.85, and I have run 700x40mm. The 40mm was actually a bit wide on a 700c rim, as the rotational inertia was a bit higher than desired. The 1.85" size, while being 50mm wide, has less rotational inertia thanks to the smaller, faster rim (559 mm instead of 622 mm). I've had one flat in about 5000 miles, and it was on a pyramid shaped piece of glass that would have punctured anything short of a solid rubber tire.

Rolling resistance is pretty good, though I definitely do NOT recommend running them at max inflation as lenA describes, as they are MUCH MUCH slower at that pressure. I weigh about 205# and find 50-55 PSI front and 55-60 PSI rear to be optimal on smooth roads, and 35-40 PSI front and 40-45 PSI rear on rougher roads. Running them at 87 PSI (the max) feels faster, since it's a rougher ride and rougher gives the sensation of going faster, but my bike computer shows around 2-3 MPH loss in speed when running them at too high of a pressure.

My 26x1.85 tires have a few nicks and scrapes on them and the one puncture hole, and the tread is getting a bit thinner than I'm comfortable with after about 4,000 miles so they'll be replaced soon. I'll be replacing them with Continental Contact Winter II tires until probably late March, then either getting a new set of the Michelin tires, or possibly something else, I haven't decided yet, but the Michelin City tires are definitely a very good tire for the money.

Is there a tire inflation for dummies take on what you experience?

I have them on one of my bikes in 26 x 1.5. Happy with them. I'd buy them again. They've probably been on there for 2 years. Never a flat. If I recall, they weren't the easiest tire to get on the rim, but kind of hazy on that and not a big deal.

Here's a pretty decent place to start: http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf

I could find more info it you need, but I think that link should cover the basics.

Interesting.... you are riding slower at higher pressure for any number of reasons other then rolling resistance which according to the article is always less at higher pressure.

I have 700x28 on my cross commuter bike. I went down from 700x30 tires. I like them. The reflective sidewalls are great. Rolled over broken glass no problem. I have found them too loose in gravel but a little faster on the road.

ive got about 600 miles on mine now, and have had no issues with the tires. I ride about 10 miles one way to town, and often ride back with fully loaded panniers and a top bag. I run mine at 80 psi.

I've had them for about 4 years. City riding when the snow isn't present (otherwise I put on the cx tires). They are some of the most durable tires I've ever mounted. They still look like they could go for another 4 years!

I can vouch for them, you'll have no trouble with these tires at all.

As a side note, the reflective strip isn't really useful when you ride a lot 'cause it gets caked with road grime and quickly becomes ineffective.