Michelin Krylion Carbon

Price Paid:  $44.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Whatever

Bike Setup:
LeMond Buenos Aires, Ultegra, Ksyrium Elites

Summary:
Worry free tires, ran a pair for 8500km before the rear had to be replaced. It still had plenty of rubber, but developed a cut all the way to the casing. The front is still rolling, although its been moved to the back.

Strengths:
very durable, but still handles well in most conditions

Weaknesses:
a little more flat prone as they got older
More expensive at the LBS but got to keep em in business

Similar Products Used:
Vredenstein Fortezza TriComp, Bontrager Race Lite,

Price Paid:  $25.00 at Performance

Favorite Ride:
Up, up and away

Bike Setup:
Que de bonnes choses.

Summary:
Flat magnets. Bought these because I wanted something smoother than my Armadillo Elites--and they are that--but over the past 2000 miles I haven't managed to go 200 miles without a flat. The threadbare Armadillo Elite I had to put back on after one of the Krylions got too cut-up has rolled over the same streets without a single flat. Buyer beware.

Strengths:
Smooth ride, good cornering, even in wet.

Weaknesses:
FLAT MAGNETS!!!

Similar Products Used:
Vredestein Fortezza SE, Panaracer Stradius Pro, Specialized Armadillo Elite.

Price Paid:  $44.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Any

Summary:
These are my favorite all around tires. I would have 0 issues with using these in a criterium, wet or dry, yet they last seemingly forever and are near bullet proof.

I'm around 170-175lbs depending on the time of year so run these at 116psi as directed by Michelin.

I have run 2 sets.. the first was 700x23. I put ~5000 miles on this set without a single puncture. I thought they were fairly harsh riding, but it was pretty hard to tell a difference in grip or rolling resistance between the Krylions and the Pro Race series of tires.

The second set is a 700x25. Strangely Michelin still says 116psi for my weight, which seems high for a 700x25. Yet the ride quality is absolutely fantastic over rough roads. In appearance they don't really look like the same tire as the 700x23 I had last year. The 700x23 was smooth and looked almost exactly like a Pro Race, the 700x25 has a rough textured surface and feels harder to the touch.

These have a great fitting bead on my Easton rims, they are not terribly difficult to change, yet require one lever for the final setting of the bead, inspiring confidence that the tire will hold securely.

Strengths:
Unbelievable flat resistance
Quality Bead construction
Low rolling resistance
Excellent wet & dry traction
Good price.. ($40-45 is what I commonly see at LBSes, even cheaper online)

Weaknesses:
Not sure I can figure any out.. maybe weight if you're a weight weenie?

Similar Products Used:
Michelin: Axial Pro, Pro Race, Pro Race 2
Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp
Continental Force/Attack, etc..

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I've been through many rounds of these tires in the Bay Area, New England and France with no problem, but they are flatting like crazy on the dirty roads in southern California. Three flats in 6 weeks of regular riding so far.

Price Paid:  $48.00 at Internet_2 different

Favorite Ride:
Hotter n Hell 100

Bike Setup:
Trek 5200 carbon, 180mm DA double, stearing tube extended 1 cm, Cinelli cork/rubber tape, Specialized seat, SRAM 1090 chain, Shimano DA pedals; CatEye tail light, else stock w/ Ultegra

Summary:
Replaced the Trek OEM Bontrager “Race Lite” 700x25’s w/ some Krylion 700x25’s. With 600 miles on the new Krylion’s everything is mostly fine. Tires seem to perform well, no issues w/ flats or sidewall nicks. Some observations are as follows:
1_Tire Construction – Interesting utilization of a full width “tread” section that goes entirely across the tire, so far in fact that it would appear that the tread area slightly overlaps the sidewall area on either side. Providing some mighty effective sidewall protection in the process.
2_Fit – With the OEM Bontrager Race Lite’s the fit on the OEM Bontrager Race rims was a bit “loose”. Tire would come off/on fairly easy without need for tire irons; great for fixing flats but a little unnerving on 40 MPH descents down long, steep hills. The Krylion fit is tighter, I would say just right; have to carry one tire tool to take them off/on.
3_Size – The most noteworthy thing about these 700x25 tires is that they are measurably LARGER than the 700x25 OEM’s that they replaced. I prefer 25mm tires for two reasons: my size 6’5” 210#, and the fact that I feel a bit safer around gravel and such on larger diameter tires, not to mention that they run through big nasty pot holes better than say 23’s or 21’s. Getting back to the specifics: Circumference of orig Bontrager’s was 209 cm, Krylion’s have a 212 cm circumference. Meaning the radius (at the tread) went from approx 13.1” to 13.3”; an increase in radius of approx 2/10”. There was no detectable rubbing when spinning the wheels. But under load and with some frame flex the back wheel succeeded in rubbing enough to take out a 1/16” swath in the carbon frame (right through the gel coat). This being in the junction of the seat stays and seat tube, caused by contact of the frame with the tire tread. The tread seemed to wear “flat” rather quickly for about 100 miles, then with the frame “wear-in” phase complete, the rubbing and tread wear ceased.

The front tire is very close to rubbing, but does not quite make any contact.

Regarding tire width. With the OEM Bontrager’s a fully aired up tire could be made to squeeze past the brake calipers, which is always handy. With the Krylion’s, no way are they going to get past the brake calipers while fully aired up. A machinist caliper found the Krylion’s width (with full air pressure) to be 1.075” (or 27.31mm).

VERDICT- These Krylion tires PASS most of the tests with flying colors. Wish the 700x25 Krylion’s were not quite so much larger than the Bontrager 700x25’s. But all in all I would say my next set of tires will most likely be 700x25 Krylion’s. This decision made a bit easier that my frame now has “grooving” to provide clearance for new Krylion 25’s.
Note- As of this writing I understand that Michelin is moving the tooling used to produce these tires from France to somewhere else (perhaps Asia?). Therefore finding stock will be tough for awhile. When production resumes perhaps the “sizing” tolerances may improve.

Strengths:
Seem to roll efficiently. Traction is good, ride is EXCELLENT (very smooth). Due to large dia they do very well when confronted by big nasty pot holes. No flats to date, design/construction appears to be very well thought out. Fit the stock Trek Bontrager "Race" rims just right; not too tight, not too loose.

Weaknesses:
A little larger in width and diameter than I expected, this in comparison to Trek 5200 OEM Bontrager "Race Lite" tires.

Similar Products Used:
Race Lites, Specialized Armadillos