Customer Reviews

Michelin Pilot City Bicycle Tire - w/Protek Max Reflective Sidewalls

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like the other reviewer I was looking for a tough tire for commuting and think I've found it but you better have time and patience when putting these on. The most successful way I found was to put them on the rim with no tube and leave in the sun to soften them a bit when new as I pinched two tubes and disfigured a Park plastic tire lever while first attempting to install. You'll notice the extra weight of these tires but I find the flat protection worth the slight slow down. My only concern is if I actually do flat with these will I be able to get the tire off and tube replaced/repaired in time to make it to work, though they seemed a bit easier to work with once I had some riding time on them as I had to replace the rim strip.

I know I've hit glass and some good bumps with these while loaded and haven't flatted as of yet. I also use them on gravel roads as long as there not to sandy or loose they work well there too.

The only reason there not a five is due to the difficulty of the install.

I've been commuting daily through NYC and had been getting flats on the stock tires at least once a week - if not more. Broken glass and other street debris. I'd tried slime tubes, and they worked for a time, but eventually leaked green slime everywhere, and couldn't reseal the punctures. After being late for work twice in one week because of a flat tire, the final straw was three flats in one night, in the rain - I used my spare tube, then my patch kit, and finally gave up and took the subway.

I ordered these tires, and haven't had a flat in the last two months. Not that they're completely impervious to street debris - no tire is - but they've done their job admirably. They're a bit tough to get on the bike, but once they're on, you're not likely to need to take them off. And as an urban commuter, I greatly appreciate the reflective sidewall.

I've had these tires on my bike for ~2000miles of urban commuting and have not suffered a single flat. They are absolutely bomb-proof. This morning I hit some object in the road that I didn't see and thought for sure I would get a flat, but no harm was done. Also, I frequently encounter glass in the neighborhood parts of my commute on recycling-pickup days, and this has never caused a flat.
After installing, I noticed right away how heavy they are and that the rolling resistance was higher. I inflate to 90psi and am sure that the drag comes from the thick tread and armor layer.
During a brief period when my brakes were out of adjustment, they wore through to the sidewall and cut some of the cords, so I will need to replace one tire soon. I am considering keeping this tire on the hard-to-change rear and getting a lighter tire for the front.

Like other reviews say, these tires are bullet proof! The real surprise is the weight! These bad boys not only are as tough as rhinos, they weigh as much. The larger size tire expands like crazy in the +60 lb pressure range. A little too close of a fit on a cannondale hybrid in a 700c size, but again one tough heavy slinging tire.

the casing is similar to that of maxis hookworm or other urban downhill street tire
its heavy and does what is supposed to do, not get flats , cuts and other problems that other regular road bike tires do
i would get flats 2 out of 5 rides even with mr tuffys and wouldnt even want to take out the 700c rain commuter for fear of flat
was actually late to our daily standup work meeting fixing a flat
if you care about weight, DO NOT GET THIS TIRE
If you want trouble free city miles in sharp object filled streets like san francisco, you can't loose
bonus for the reflective sidewall

I've had these tires for about a month. Not much to complain about. I haven't had any punctures yet. The tires are heavier than most of the other choices available, In my opinion, the extra weight is worth it. The first thing that I noticed was the improved riding comfort that they offer. I can compare it to a luxury car. Many of the road vibrations that are normally carried up through the frame are not felt with theses tires. This was apparent as soon as I rode the bike for the first time after changing the tires. Also, I think that the extra tire weight took a little bit off of the top end speed, but the tires seem to roll better than the Continental Travel Contact tires that I had before. If punctures are the reason you are checking these out, this tire may fit your needs. I can't say that they're bullet proof, but they definitely feel extremely sturdy.

Great for commutting or worry-free recreational riding, these very heavy smooth riding tires have a thick center tread that will resist any normal road debris.

I got these as a tire upgrade (from the stock WTBs) for my '06 Bianchi San Jose. I ride sparingly, partly because I run a lot, but even so, I would get flats ALL the time (sometimes pretty far from home).

So, that's why I got these beasts! Not only do they look sweet on my bike, but they are also very thick & well-made. The fact that they are noticeably heavier and, well, pretty much declared an all-out war during installation, is a moot point for the sheer visual satisfaction they provide & the piece of mind they've wrapped up & gifted me. Sure they are heavier, but I also upgraded to some heavier thorn-resistant tubes. I'm expecting smiles for miles with these youthful prodigies. :p

I threw these 29" tires on my MTB & rode the 2011 NYC 5 Boro Bike Tour (42 Miles) with no problem. Nice smooth ride!