Michelin Pro Race 2 vs 3

[Nil Else]

I often see people looking for specifically pro race 2 tires. I haven't tried pro race 3s as I've stocked up on 2s. If there are demands for the 2s I've missed the scoop... what's the difference?

[Ken C]

The 3's ride a little better but are less durable.

[BumbleBeeDave]

I just switched both my road bikes to PR3's.

On the Queen Bee they replaced Vittoria Open Corsa CX's and on the Zebra Bike I had Bontrager Race-X-Lites.

So far the PR3's feel more aggressive than the Bontie's and smoother then the Vittoria's. We'll see how durable they are.

I have to confess that cost was a factor. Keep an eye on ProBikeKit and you can get them several times a year for $38-40 each.

BBD

[Birddog]

The 3's ride a little better but are less durable. Reply With Quote
That's the way I see it. I have both and I prefer the "3s" for their superior "stickiness" which shines on descents.

Birddog

[Keith A]

These are the best riding tire I have ever been on. However, like Ken C said, they do seem less durable than the Pro Race 2's.

[sloji]

The pro race 3 25's feel more like the old pro race 2 and the 23's on the other hand are a completely different tire, smoother and stickier but less durable as they say. I took off the 25's the other day, on the bike they look and feel more like a 27 which is not bad if that is the goal, and put on some old conti gp4000...I hate these tires and remember why they are the winter tires. Bottom line i'm going back to the prorace 23's.

[endosch2]

I rode trough 2 sets of PR2s and am 700 miles into my first pair of PR3's. I think the PR3's are a little narrower but they seem to ride well and handle every bit as well so far.

[victoryfactory]

I also had a few 2's in stock and finally changed to the 3's about two weeks
ago.

I can't speak to the durability aspect yet with only about 300 miles so far
but I definitely noticed a better ride. Much better in fact

Smoother by far (almost remind me of tubbies)
Less scrubbing on corners.

I run them with 105 lbs

If they prove durable, I would say they are the best clinchers ever.

VF

[lemonlaug]

Ditto those claiming a noticeable increase in quality from 2 to 3. Also can't speak to durability, because of mileage, and because I'm easy on tires generally anyhow.

[Fivethumbs]

I like the ride of the 2s better

[sjbraun]

Anyone else think the 2s ran larger than the 3s?

[DHallerman]

I forget which site, maybe Total Cycling, that said the current Lithion tire is the Pro Race 2.

That Michelin just rebadged it, when they came out with the Pro Race 3.

True?

Dave, who gets a lot from the hive mind

[Keith A]

I forget which site, maybe Total Cycling, that said the current Lithion tire is the Pro Race 2.

That Michelin just rebadged it, when they came out with the Pro Race 3.

True?It doesn't seem likely that this is true and here is why...The Lithion only has 60 TPI whereas the Pro2 Race had 127 TPI. Also, the Lithion has a herringbone tread pattern and the Pro2 was smooth. Maybe there some similarities, but the specs for the Lithion don't match the Pro2.

[rahill]

Anyone else think the 2s ran larger than the 3s?

Yeah, I think this has been mentioned before. The Pro2 700x23 measured more like a 25 where the Pro3 700x23 is closer to 23. The difference in width is noticeable (and measurable).

Just ordered a couple of Pro3 in 700x25 -- we'll see if there's any obvious differences.

Rich

[C5 Snowboarder]

Yeah, I think this has been mentioned before. The Pro2 700x23 measured more like a 25 where the Pro3 700x23 is closer to 23. The difference in width is noticeable (and measurable).

Just ordered a couple of Pro3 in 700x25 -- we'll see if there's any obvious differences.

Rich

I have the Pro2s 700 x 25 and with my digital calipers they measure 26.89 mm wide -- for a comparison my other wheel set has Conti GP 4000S 700 x 23 and they measure 23.56 mm.

[BumbleBeeDave]

I have the Pro2s 700 x 25 and with my digital calipers they measure 26.89 mm wide -- for a comparison my other wheel set has Conti GP 4000S 700 x 23 and they measure 23.56 mm.

. . . normally the width of the tire at it's widest cross section? This is what I have always assumed.

Or is it the width of the contact patch at recommended inflation pressure?

BBD

[C5 Snowboarder]

.Or is it the width of the contact patch at recommended inflation pressure?

BBD

You may want to go to Ballon tires or Mountain bike tires if you want a contact patch around 25mm wide...

you do know 25.4 mm is equal to 1 " :confused:

[flydhest]

Ditto those claiming a noticeable increase in quality from 2 to 3. Also can't speak to durability, because of mileage, and because I'm easy on tires generally anyhow.
you're easy on tires because you weigh 7 pounds.

[lemonlaug]

you're easy on tires because you weigh 7 pounds.

I was going to say that I learned enough to look up the road and see the crap before I've ridden through it. But yeah, skinny will do it too.

[john903]

Hello,

I used pro 3 all year last year and this year, I have used Michelin tires for years (axial pro,carbon's) and really like them. So now I have about 1500mi on them, yes there is thread showing and squared off. So last month i thought i would try Schwalbe Ultermo DD. The pro 3 ride is much smoother then the Schwalbe.

John