Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Replacement for Michelin Pro 4 Endurance?

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Replacement for Michelin Pro 4 Endurance?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-08-18 | 03:12 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, CA, an island city on the edge of San Francisco Bay
Replacement for Michelin Pro 4 Endurance?

Hi, I've been riding Michelin's for a long time, most recently the Pro 4 Endurance model. But they've recently succumbed to premature sidewall rot, the bead is showing. No flats yet, but for safety I want to put on new tires.

I'm thinking of switching to Continental. What's the closest equivalent to the Pro 4 Endurance in the Continental line?

Thanks for reading!
__________________
Gunnar Roadie with Campagnolo Centaur
Breezer Uptown 8
backinthesaddle is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-18 | 03:51 PM
  #2  
Sy Reene's Avatar
Advocatus Diaboli
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9,154
Likes: 1,744
From: Wherever I am

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

I've seen a bit of the Pro4E rot you speak of. I'm still riding I think my last pair from the storage closet, but picked up some Vittorias -- both the regular Corsa G, and the Corsa Control G (the "Control" model would be closer to an "endurance" model).
Conti's equivalent I think would be the GP 4Seasons.
Sy Reene is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-18 | 06:05 PM
  #3  
- Soli Deo Gloria -
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia

Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix

Originally Posted by Sy Reene
I've seen a bit of the Pro4E rot you speak of. I'm still riding I think my last pair from the storage closet, but picked up some Vittorias -- both the regular Corsa G, and the Corsa Control G (the "Control" model would be closer to an "endurance" model).
Conti's equivalent I think would be the GP 4Seasons.
"Control" is Vittoria's long lasting version, similar in concept to Michelin's "Endurance."

There are Corsa Control tires listed at the reseller websites but they are no longer listed at Vittoria.com. This leads me to believe the Corsa Control may no longer be produced.

The Vittoria Rubino Control is probably just as good as the Michelin Pro 4 endurance.
TimothyH is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-18 | 06:20 PM
  #4  
Sy Reene's Avatar
Advocatus Diaboli
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9,154
Likes: 1,744
From: Wherever I am

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Originally Posted by TimothyH
"Control" is Vittoria's long lasting version, similar in concept to Michelin's "Endurance."

There are Corsa Control tires listed at the reseller websites but they are no longer listed at Vittoria.com.
??
https://www.vittoria.com/us/corsa-control-14739.html
Sy Reene is offline  
Reply
Old 06-10-18 | 10:50 PM
  #5  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, CA, an island city on the edge of San Francisco Bay
Thanks for all the comments.

My original question was about Continentals. I ended up ordering a pair of GP-4000S II from Competitive Cyclist as they have a good price right now. When I spoke to them they said that their experience was that they have better longetivity than the Michelins, since the Michelins tend to suffer from dry rot, which of course has been my experience.

The mention of Vittoria reminded me that I have some Vittoria Open Tubulars in my closet, so I may put them on while I'm waiting for the Competitive Cyclist order to come in. I think they're not heavy duty puncture proof, but I might as well try them out.
__________________
Gunnar Roadie with Campagnolo Centaur
Breezer Uptown 8
backinthesaddle is offline  
Reply
Old 06-10-18 | 11:01 PM
  #6  
Siu Blue Wind's Avatar
Homey
Titanium Club Membership
Sheldon Brown Memorial - Mod
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 13,512
Likes: 1,493
Moved to Road from General per OP request.
__________________
Originally Posted by making
Please dont outsmart the censor. That is a very expensive censor and every time one of you guys outsmart it it makes someone at the home office feel bad. We dont wanna do that. So dont cleverly disguise bad words.
Siu Blue Wind is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 04:04 AM
  #7  
cyclozone's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
I used the Michelin Power Endurance, the successor to the Pro 4, for over a year. It had good grip, wore slower than the Conti GP2KS and had good puncture resistance. However, it wasn’t as supple as the Conti GP2KS. No dry rot encountered and rarely any cuts seen. I’ve recently switched to tubeless Schwalbe Pro Ones and have found them to be really supple and fast, but wear rate is unknown yet.

Review: Michelin Power Endurance road.cc
cyclozone is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 04:20 AM
  #8  
CliffordK's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 27,576
Likes: 5,484
From: Eugene, Oregon, USA
The sidewalls are a weakness of the tan sidewall Continental tires (gatorskins, gator hardshells, GP 4 seasons, etc.)

I haven't tried the black sidewall tires.

I also thought my GP 4 seasons tire wore down quicker than expected.

Anyway, I like the long wearing of the gator hardshells, but wouldn't recommend them to someone already complaining about weak sidewalls in another brand.
CliffordK is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 04:52 AM
  #9  
Bah Humbug's Avatar
serious cyclist
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 21,147
Likes: 3,687
From: Austin

Bikes: S1, R2, P2

The sidewalls aren't exactly a strength of the black sidewall Contis. That said, the issue is overblown in my experience - between my wife and I (who basically always run GP4KSs or Attack/Force) we've had one sidewall tear each in half a decade. Both were from hitting construction gravel in exactly the wrong way, and we've both been subjected to a bunch of construction gravel here in Austin. I'm not really convinced that many other road tires would have been able to survive that either.
Bah Humbug is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 05:16 AM
  #10  
dim's Avatar
dim
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 29
From: Cambridge UK

Bikes: Trek Emonda SL6 .... Miyata One Thousand

I wanted a pair of tyres that will give me lots of trouble free miles and I'm trying the IRC Pro Wet clinchers on my commte bike (220Km/week) .... Amazing looking tyres (the tread and puncture resistance band is from bead to bead) .... Grip is amazing. Rolling resistance is similar to Gators and Durano Plus . I've only had them for a week and so far so good.


dim is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 06:04 AM
  #11  
dmanthree's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 298
From: Northeastern MA, USA

Bikes: Garmin/Tacx Bike Smart

Bets trouble free road tire is, for me, the Conti GP 4 Season. Durable and not too bad for rolling and handling.
dmanthree is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 09:54 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 960
Likes: 94
From: Amateur Coachsurfer
Ironically, I was thinking of switching over to Pro4 Endurance from Continental 4000S IIs due to poor sidewalls. According to https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/ the Michelins have much better puncture resistance, especially in the sidewall.

My bike gets ridden a lot, so I am not sure if the sidewall rot is related to distance or simply time. I will go through a tire in well less than a year.
Tycho Brahe is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 10:36 AM
  #13  
noodle soup's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,946
Likes: 1,901
Originally Posted by Tycho Brahe
Ironically, I was thinking of switching over to Pro4 Endurance from Continental 4000S IIs due to poor sidewalls. According to https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/ the Michelins have much better puncture resistance, especially in the sidewall.

My bike gets ridden a lot, so I am not sure if the sidewall rot is related to distance or simply time. I will go through a tire in well less than a year.
I have seen the dry rot that the OP mentioned, but it was only on my commuter bike that got about 40-50 miles of use per week. My road bike gets about 300 miles per week, and the tire wears out long before any dry-rot can occur.

I continued to use the tire until the threads began to appear, without any issues.

Last edited by noodle soup; 06-11-18 at 10:42 AM.
noodle soup is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 10:51 AM
  #14  
TrojanHorse's Avatar
SuperGimp
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 13,346
Likes: 65
From: Whittier, CA

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix

I had some dry rot on michelin Pro4s but the tires had been off the bike and hanging in the shed for probably 2 years. Still, seemed odd.

I used Pro3 for a while, but they were frail so I switched to the forum favorite GP4000s and those damn tires just wouldn't last. I never wore one out, they always got retired by a cut somewhere. The Pro4 endurance have been great for me and I think I still have a few on hot standby when my current set wears out.
TrojanHorse is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 10:56 AM
  #15  
noodle soup's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,946
Likes: 1,901
Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
. The Pro4 endurance have been great for me and I think I still have a few on hot standby when my current set wears out.
Seems like this is the same tire as the PRO4 E. Same weight, TPI, and it feels the same on the road. You can't beat the price either $21.95

https://planetcyclery.com/michelin-krylion-2-endurance-tire-700x25mm-black?&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o1&scid=scplp24235&sc_intid=24235&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1KiHvYnM2wIVmK_sCh1 yowtkEAQYASABEgKtzvD_BwE
noodle soup is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 11:29 AM
  #16  
TrojanHorse's Avatar
SuperGimp
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 13,346
Likes: 65
From: Whittier, CA

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix

Originally Posted by noodle soup
Seems like this is the same tire as the PRO4 E. Same weight, TPI, and it feels the same on the road. You can't beat the price either $21.95
Wow, that is a good price.

I *thought* krylion was the model name prior to absorbing the endurance line into the Pro lineup? They change model names more often than I can keep track though. I think the Power lineup is the "new" current mode.
TrojanHorse is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 11:35 AM
  #17  
noodle soup's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,946
Likes: 1,901
Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
Wow, that is a good price.

I *thought* krylion was the model name prior to absorbing the endurance line into the Pro lineup? They change model names more often than I can keep track though. I think the Power lineup is the "new" current mode.
Krylion was the predecessor to the Pro4 E.

The Krylion2 Endurance seems to be the same tire as the Pro4 E (which has been discontinued),

The "Power" series is all new.
noodle soup is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 11:38 AM
  #18  
masi61's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 529
From: SW Ohio

Bikes: Puch Marco Polo, Saint Tropez, Masi Gran Criterium

Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
Wow, that is a good price.

I *thought* krylion was the model name prior to absorbing the endurance line into the Pro lineup? They change model names more often than I can keep track though. I think the Power lineup is the "new" current mode.
I USED TO LIKE THE Michelin Pro2 series - the ones that were made in France. The Krylion or Krylion Carbons some of them originally were made in France but eventually I believe they were all sourced from Thailand. The Krylion previously had a good reputation as a decent performing high mileage tire. I would be curious about the lot that Planet Bike is selling. Are these new old stock from 8 or 10 years ago or did they resurrect the Krylion name to position a tire below the “Power” series? I will say that my experience with the Pro4 series was spotty - the middle portion with the long wearing tread wo/Ludie seem to start to separate from the sidewalls prematurely making the tires toast a lot earlier than comparable tires.
masi61 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 11:50 AM
  #19  
diphthong's Avatar
velo-dilettante
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 4,024
From: insane diego, california

Bikes: 85 pinarello treviso steel, 95 battaglin steel, 95 look kg 131 carbon, 11 trek madone 5.2 carbon

Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
I had some dry rot on michelin Pro4s but the tires had been off the bike and hanging in the shed for probably 2 years. Still, seemed odd.

I used Pro3 for a while, but they were frail so I switched to the forum favorite GP4000s and those damn tires just wouldn't last. I never wore one out, they always got retired by a cut somewhere. The Pro4 endurance have been great for me and I think I still have a few on hot standby when my current set wears out.


my exact experience as well.
diphthong is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 11:58 AM
  #20  
noodle soup's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,946
Likes: 1,901
Originally Posted by masi61


I USED TO LIKE THE Michelin Pro2 series - the ones that were made in France. The Krylion or Krylion Carbons some of them originally were made in France but eventually I believe they were all sourced from Thailand. The Krylion previously had a good reputation as a decent performing high mileage tire. I would be curious about the lot that Planet Bike is selling. Are these new old stock from 8 or 10 years ago or did they resurrect the Krylion name to position a tire below the “Power” series?
It looks like Michelin resurrected the Krylion name for the US market only. Excel Sports also has them(for slightly more $).

Planet Cyclery has had them since last summer, and they preform just like the Pro4 E.
noodle soup is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 12:16 PM
  #21  
noodle soup's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,946
Likes: 1,901
Originally Posted by noodle soup
It looks like Michelin resurrected the Krylion name for the US market only. Excel Sports also has them(for slightly more $).

Planet Cyclery has had them since last summer, and they preform just like the Pro4 E.
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...krylion-2-2017
noodle soup is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 01:05 PM
  #22  
- Soli Deo Gloria -
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia

Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix

Originally Posted by Sy Reene
It is not listed on the road ties page.

https://www.vittoria.com/us/catalog/...-tires/id/270/
TimothyH is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 01:06 PM
  #23  
- Soli Deo Gloria -
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia

Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix

Originally Posted by backinthesaddle
The mention of Vittoria reminded me that I have some Vittoria Open Tubulars in my closet, so I may put them on while I'm waiting for the Competitive Cyclist order to come in. I think they're not heavy duty puncture proof, but I might as well try them out.
You are going to love them and might not want to switch.
TimothyH is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 02:44 PM
  #24  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, CA, an island city on the edge of San Francisco Bay
Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
I had some dry rot on michelin Pro4s but the tires had been off the bike and hanging in the shed for probably 2 years. Still, seemed odd.

I used Pro3 for a while, but they were frail so I switched to the forum favorite GP4000s and those damn tires just wouldn't last. I never wore one out, they always got retired by a cut somewhere. The Pro4 endurance have been great for me and I think I still have a few on hot standby when my current set wears out.
Well, I must confess that I haven't been riding much the last 2-3 years, mostly due to health issues, so the "dry rot" is on my Michelins is probably age related.
__________________
Gunnar Roadie with Campagnolo Centaur
Breezer Uptown 8
backinthesaddle is offline  
Reply
Old 06-11-18 | 02:48 PM
  #25  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, CA, an island city on the edge of San Francisco Bay
Originally Posted by TimothyH
You are going to love them and might not want to switch.
How are the Vittoria open tubulars for wear and puncture resistance?
__________________
Gunnar Roadie with Campagnolo Centaur
Breezer Uptown 8
backinthesaddle is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.