Michelin Bi-Synergic Dual Compound Clincher

Price Paid:  $20.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
High Weald

Bike Setup:
653 steel on Campag w Nucleon wheels

Summary:
These tyres are definately the smoothest I have ever tried. I had oridinally chose them because they were the only make that came out in grey (to match my bike).

Even so, I have had to replace these set of tyres twice now (both front and back) with under 5000 kilometres on each. I have now decided to give up on the vanity and comfort and have chosen some more durable tyres.

If I could I'd give these five out of five for comfort and rolling resistance, and two out of five for durability. I am settling somewhere in the middle.

Strengths:
comfort, looks, rolling resistance

Weaknesses:
durability

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Turbo pro (more durable, better grip, worse rolling resistance)
Michelin HD (almost perfect but very expensive)

Bike Setup:
de bernardi steel w/campy shimano mix

Summary:
these tires are great for the money. even at full retail of approx 30 bucks their performance is worth the dough. I had been riding the old continental grand prix for two or three years before i switched to these tires, and i instantly noticed a slightly more supple ride over normal road vibration. they also felt a little more surefooted on dry roads than the contis, and i didn't experience the sidewall fraying that seems to plague all the continental tires I've had. They are very light and that means not too much rubber, so they wear out fairly quickly. You can still find them on discount, they can't be beat!

Strengths:
Smooth ride
low rolling resistence
fast cornering

Weaknesses:
durability

Similar Products Used:
various tires by conti, vittoria, specialized, vredestein

Favorite Ride:
Anything that goes up

Bike Setup:
Classic steel, OCLV

Summary:
This and the "Synergic" used to be the top of the Michelin line. These are the same tire but the BiSynergic has two tread compounds, one in the tread center and another on the shoulders.
Several years ago I was persusing the promotional material for Michelin where they compared the characteristics of their tires. They rated the BiSynergics (and Synergics) highest (by quite a bit) in low rolling resistance and comfort, although relatively low in durability. So I figured I'd try them to see if the marketing info was accurate. I had previous experience with the Hi-Lite Comps - a durable long wearing tire. The BiSynergics turned out to be exactly as described, offering a noticeably more supple and comfortable ride than the Hi-Lite Comps at the same pressure. (The "feel" is probably most apparent when crossing "tar strips" in the road) They have a resilient lively feel that I haven't found in any other tire that I have tried (I don't claim to have tried everything). It's a nice enough feel that I'm not remotely tempted to go back to a tire that offers better wear characteristics. These wear adequately but are certainly not outstanding. The bad news is that these are no longer produced. The good news is that they can still occasionally be found at closeout prices (although usually only in a 700x20) and are also sold as "Hi-lite Prestige" through Performance Bike.
I have yet to ride the newer "Axial" Michelins but if they are an improvement, they must be very nice indeed.

Strengths:
Supple ride

Weaknesses:
Not the best for longevity, no longer widely available

Similar Products Used:
None