At 240 grams for a 28mm tire with race-level performance, the Michelin Power Cup clincher makes a compelling case for riders who haven't abandoned tubes. The weight undercuts most tubeless-ready tires in the same performance category, and the simplicity of tube-based setup means no sealant maintenance, no overnight pressure checks, and roadside repairs that any cyclist with a spare tube can execute in minutes. For racing, training, or riders who simply prefer the predictability of traditional clincher systems, the Power Cup delivers speed without requiring a commitment to tubeless infrastructure.

Gum-X compound provides the grip that separates race tires from training rubber. The formulation maintains traction on wet pavement — a meaningful consideration when early-morning starts or late-season events mean riding through damp conditions — while rolling efficiently on dry roads. Independent testing positions the Power Cup among the fastest clincher tires available, with wet grip performance that approaches or exceeds many tubeless alternatives. The compound also resists the rapid degradation that some race-focused rubbers exhibit, extending usable life beyond a single event or race block.

A 3x120 TPI casing creates the supple, connected feel that competitive riders rely on for reading road surfaces and maintaining confidence through corners. Three plies of 120-thread nylon produce a total 360 TPI construction that flexes over imperfections rather than bouncing across them, maximizing contact patch and providing the feedback that precise handling requires. The fine-fiber construction keeps weight remarkably low while maintaining the structural integrity to handle race-pressure inflation and aggressive cornering loads. Michelin drew from their MotoGP tire development for the casing architecture, applying lessons about how high-performance rubber responds to extreme cornering forces and surface variations.... Read More