I get by means of plenty of bikes on this job. They arrive and go each few weeks, generally in a flurry, generally a trickle. Every time one arrives I assess the spec, and there are at all times just a few merchandise that carry my spirits. One is a Selle Italia SLR Superflow saddle, so I do know my rear finish goes to be comfy, and the opposite is a set of Michelin Energy Cup tyres. They sit firmly on the high of the ‘greatest price range’ part of my information to the perfect highway bike tyres, however in actuality they might nicely problem for the perfect total title.
Michelin could not have the identical pro-level utilization because the likes of Continental and Vittoria, however no one goes to disclaim that the corporate has a repute for making tyres… and judging eating places, which I at all times discover unusual. Regardless of not that includes at WorldTour stage I feel the Energy Cup may simply combine it with the perfect of the bunch if solely it was obtainable in wider sizes. Extra on that later, however for these of you missing in endurance the brief story is that I like these tyres, and if I wasn’t ready the place I’m always swapping tyres for testing these are the place I’d be spending my very own cash.
They are not seen within the professional ranks, however the Michelin Energy Cup tyres have quite a bit going for them. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Design and aesthetics
I’m placing myself on the market and saying I feel we’re in a spot now the place tanwall tyres have stopped being cool because of their ubiquity. They was once a standing factor, exhibiting off that your tyres have been cotton cased, and whereas I like them on tyres that do even have cotton casings (the Vittoria Corsa Professional, Problem Getaway et al.) I feel in case your tyres are vulcanised then they need to be black. If you happen to disagree then fear not, as a result of these tyres additionally are available a tanwall possibility, a lightweight tan, however not almost so yellow as a Problem or a Vittora. Anyway, my overview set have been black, simply the best way I like ‘em.
Aesthetically they’re a really minimalist possibility, with only a small, full-colour Michelin brand (or monochrome on the tanwall), and a grey-on-black ‘Energy Cup’ wordmark. The tyre tread itself is equally minimalist, devoid solely of any sipes (the technical time period for any striations or indents), and easily presenting a very slick rubber tread. Don’t be alarmed, I can guarantee you that this doesn’t make them much less grippy. Sipes don’t truly provide any extra mechanical grip, they merely enable the rubber to maneuver extra, which heats it up somewhat extra simply, and makes it extra grippy.
One factor that may be a little little bit of a disadvantage is the vary of widths obtainable. Whereas these are available 23c and 25c (moderately outdated widths by trendy requirements, until you’re a French WorldTour workforce), the widest they arrive in is a 28c. Comparatively, you may get a Continental GP5000 S TR in each a 30c and a 32c, and the identical might be mentioned of the Vittoria Corsa Professional. If you happen to’re operating rim brakes and 28c is about your restrict then this isn’t actually any hassle, however for these of you with disc brakes trying to reap the rewards of wider tyres by way of consolation and grip, you’re somewhat out of luck right here.
The tread is pure slick, and solely goes as much as a 28c. The tread would not wrap all that far across the carcass (you’ll be able to nearly make out the road the place tread stops and sidewall begins on the black ones) however I by no means discovered myself cornering on the sidewalls in real-world makes use of. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Setup
Setting the Michelin Energy Cups up tubeless was comparatively ache free. They didn’t show overly tough to get onto the rim, nor did they current a lot of a problem to seat, both with or with out sealant in. I’ve run them with and with out tubes too, each on this overview set and on check bikes, and one factor I’d say that I seen is that ought to you ever get a puncture they did have a behavior of unseating from the edges I used to be utilizing. It’s somewhat element, however I feel in an effort to create a rounded profile the sidewalls wish to curl inwards greater than different tyres I’ve tried.
Ought to the worst befall you, I’d advise carrying among the finest CO2 inflators as a substitute of/in addition to a mini pump as a just-in-case measure, as these will much more simply attain the pressures wanted to reseat them on the fly.
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If you happen to’re trying to improve your tyres on a price range, they’re virtually a no brainer. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
On paper they’re extra puncture resistant than a GP5000, so probably a more sensible choice for all-season utilization(Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Efficiency
Let’s take issues by the numbers first. Biking is a numbers recreation plenty of the time, and it could be remiss of me to not point out some comparative exams which were carried out on these tyres and their opponents by Bicycle Rolling Resistance. Publicly obtainable information that I used to create my information to highway bike tyres states that the Energy Cups have an equivalent rolling resistance to the Continental GP5000 S TR (at 8.5 watts), a barely higher puncture resistance (45 performs 35) and higher static moist grip (74 versus 70). They’re marginally heavier, however it’s minimal – solely an 18-gram distinction per tyre, or simply shy of 40g for a set.
Why would you pay greater than double for the Continental possibility? Actually, at this level, I don’t actually know. I haven’t discovered something in testing them that factors to a noticeable, tangible distinction, at the least by way of efficiency. In order for you wider, which I truly do plenty of the time, then clearly the selection is somewhat simpler however if you happen to’re a die-hard 28c fan then the explanations to pay extra are comparatively small.
In the actual world, away from the numbers, the Energy Cups are clean, quick, and grippy. I’d say that they will really feel somewhat picket with inside tubes in, however setup tubeless (or with latex tubes) this dissipates. As they’re a extra wallet-friendly possibility they’re maybe extra probably for use with tubes, however I do implore you to present them a strive in a extra supple setup; I don’t assume you’ll remorse it.
They definitely don’t have that cloud-like really feel of the Vittoria Corsa Professional, however if you happen to like a extra direct really feel by way of highway contact then they’ll be proper up your avenue.
One factor that will maybe trigger you some thought is that, notably on wider inside rim widths, the tread doesn’t appear to wrap to this point across the sidewalls as particularly the GP5000. In apply I by no means discovered myself troubled by this and I don’t assume usually using conditions I used to be in any hazard of troubling the sidewalls. If you happen to’re recurrently cornering actually aggressively (crit racing, I’m primarily considering of right here) then maybe you’d wish to think about a extra well-wrapped tread possibility, however for many of us, I’m fairly assured in saying they’re simply positive.
I’ve had three totally different units of those on the go to this point this yr, some setup tubeless, some with tubes. I solely had one puncture, and this was down me pinching a latex tube moderately than any overseas object making its manner by means of the tread. It’s definitely not a scientific check, however my residence city of Bristol is festooned with damaged glass. In my unrepeatable real-world expertise, these proved no kind of puncture inclined, particularly when setup tubeless, than another respectable tyre I’ve used.
I can’t say they felt quicker or slower than a GP5000. They’re much less buttery than a Corsa Professional, however the truth that they’re being talked about in the identical sentence given their RRP is a testomony to how good they’re for the value. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Worth
Right here’s the biggie. I don’t assume I can consider a tyre that provides by way of worth what the Energy Cups do. The truth is I’d go as far as to say there are few merchandise on the market usually that match it. On sale, you might simply choose these up for round £30, which is a 3rd of the value of a full-price Corsa Professional or GP5000, and also you’re getting comparable efficiency and only a trace of a weight penalty.
After aerodynamics, rolling resistance is the most important issue by way of outright velocity, and by way of features for every pound/greenback spent you’re actually onto a winner right here.
Verdict
Until you need bigger quantity highway tyres then I feel there are only a few causes to not go for the Michelin Energy Cup tyres. If you happen to’re a rim brake rider then I feel they’re an unimaginable possibility, solely maybe falling brief for these cornering tremendous aggressively. They’re comparatively low cost as respectable highway bike tyres go, and may simply combine it with pro-tier rubber of equal widths. For the financially savvy rider they’re a no brainer, although bear in mind to hold a CO2 inflator with you simply in case.
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Testing scorecard and notesAttributesNotesRatingDesign and aesthetics Easy design, clear aesthetics, however let down by no wider choices and a barely slim tread7/10PerformanceBy the numbers they’re simply a match for much dearer choices. In the actual world I discovered this to be the case too.9/10Tubeless setupEasy to mount, straightforward to seat, however they do have a behavior of unseating once they go flat in my experience7/10WeightA slight weight penalty over high tier tyres of about 40g per set8/10ValueIn phrases of bang in your buck they’re fairly astounding worth. 9/10Overall rankingRow 5 – Cell 1 80%
