Anybody have any experience with the Pro3's in the rain. I just replaced a set of 4000's with new Pro3's getting ready for 3 state 3 mountain century. Now it looks like rain during the event. My LBS recommended putting my old 4000's back on for the wet ride. They still have some good life in them but I was replaced them with plans of putting the 4000's on my back up wheels. Should I take his advice and run them in the rain instead of Michelins. Any thoughts?

Haven't used them in the wet yet. I've read a lot of positive reviews from other posters here and on other forums and haven't seen mention of any problems in the wet. I'd say they would be better than the 4000's since they are new and grippier.

Don't use them in the rain if they are new... make sure you've worn off the mold-release... then they should be ok.

Don't use them in the rain if they are new... make sure you've worn off the mold-release... then they should be ok.

Oh gaaah. That stuff will be gone once you ride it around the block twice. Just make sure you go the opposite the way the second time. :D

I have rode them in the wet today and last weekend with no issues at all.

Ride report on Pro 3's in rain: Did 3 state 3 mountain century. The start was delayed because of a thunderstorm that dumped a ton of rain. After it quit lightening we were off in the rain. Did 2 climbs on wet pavement with several steep switch backs and one wet descent. They performed great. I never slipped a tire climbing even when standing. Fortunately the road dried after the second climb. Did not have a flat although I did notice one small cut.

Same here, I had a set of Pro 3s with about 50 miles on them for the 3 State 3 Mountain this past Saturday. Did fine through standing water for the first 5 - 10 miles as we started the ride, in the rain up the first mountain and down the other side....still raining. Even better when the roads dried out. I saw at least 50 flats on the ride but mine were fine. Still look like new.

Oh gaaah. That stuff will be gone once you ride it around the block twice. Just make sure you go the opposite the way the second time. :D

You make a good point. If you put about 2 miles on the tires, the mold release will be completely worn off. You could also just take a bristle brush and wipe them down and it will come off.

You make a good point. If you put about 2 miles on the tires, the mold release will be completely worn off. You could also just take a bristle brush and wipe them down and it will come off.

Although the quantity is probably exceedingly small, what impact does this mold release have on the environment? Is it designed to decompose, maybe with exposure to sunlight?

Although the quantity is probably exceedingly small, what impact does this mold release have on the environment? Is it designed to decompose, maybe with exposure to sunlight?

Very good question. I do not know the answer to that one but I just sent an email to the folks over in France and hopefully they should have an answer for me in the next day or so. As soon as I get it, I will post their answer here.

so are the prorace3's better than the 2's in the rain? because the prorace2's in the rain are horrifying.

...what impact does this mold release have on the environment?

I guarantee it has less impact on the environment than the actual tire! ;)

so are the prorace3's better than the 2's in the rain? because the prorace2's in the rain are horrifying.

You are the first person that I have heard say that. I was wondering, what type of pressure are you running on those tires in those situations?? I would definitely check out our tire pressure for rider weight recommendation (http://www.michelinbicycle.com/michelinbicycle/index.cfm?event=airpressure.view) and adjust accordingly.

Also, in terms of improvements on the MICHELIN Pro3 Race over the MICHELIN Pro2 Race, we have increased the grip on the cornering tread by up to 40% and increased the center tread grip by up to 27%, all with the same durability, longevity, dropping the weight by 20 grams and the price range.

MichelinMan, Any idea about the central band not being in the centre on the PRO3s? I started another thread a couple of days ago, but there aren't many replies. I have two tyres, OEM take-offs, where the central light grey band is 1,5mm off-centre. I guess it's only a aesthetics problem, but it's a bummer all the same and not something I would have expected. Is this something that only affects the early tyres, or are they all like that?

thanks, foz

MichelinMan, Any idea about the central band not being in the centre on the PRO3s? I started another thread a couple of days ago, but there aren't many replies. I have two tyres, OEM take-offs, where the central light grey band is 1,5mm off-centre. I guess it's only a aesthetics problem, but it's a bummer all the same and not something I would have expected. Is this something that only affects the early tyres, or are they all like that?

thanks, foz

I am not really sure. All the ones that I have seem to be centered. I will check into your other post, but if you have some pictures, that would certainly help you out a bit.

anyone have an approximate release date for the PR3's in size 700x25?

anyone have an approximate release date for the PR3's in size 700x25?

I do not have that answer in front of me at this point, but I will find that answer out by the end of the day for you.

anyone have an approximate release date for the PR3's in size 700x25?

After speaking with some others here at Michelin, I have been told that the MICHELIN Pro3 Race in a 25c is expected to hit shops some time in late summer with the MICHELIN Pro3 Grip, MICHELIN Pro3 Light and the additional colors (Signal Orange and Neon Flash).

After a year or so of many happy miles on the PR2's I can't wait to get hands on PR3's and the PR3's on my rims!

Make 'em, box 'em and ship 'em to South Africa!

FWW: I rode a year old set up Pro2's all day yesterday in the rain and didn't feel too much slippage on the roads.

On a different note, I ran michelin race mtb tires (grey) last year and they wore down faster than anything I've ever seen, I liked them (grippy and light) but wow- I will have to buy a new set every year at that rate - and thats only about 20 outings or so (I live in a city so idon;t get to ride every day and i didn;t use them on the street at all)

On a different note, I ran michelin race mtb tires (grey) last year and they wore down faster than anything I've ever seen, I liked them (grippy and light) but wow- I will have to buy a new set every year at that rate - and thats only about 20 outings or so (I live in a city so idon;t get to ride every day and i didn;t use them on the street at all)

The Grey compound is our race stock technology. With them being as grippy as they are, it is impossible to make them have the same amount of grip AND have durability. Just the way the cookie crumbles. That is why we made the same exact treads in our black compound. That way you can train on the black compound to learn how the tire handles and then swap over to your race or special occasion tires.

good point on the mtb, thanks.

PS will they make the pro3 in the same light grey sidewall as the pro2 or will it just be the light grey strip down the center?

good point on the mtb, thanks.

PS will they make the pro3 in the same light grey sidewall as the pro2 or will it just be the light grey strip down the center?

No, we will also be making the light gray tire.

You are the first person that I have heard say that. I was wondering, what type of pressure are you running on those tires in those situations?? I would definitely check out our tire pressure for rider weight recommendation (http://www.michelinbicycle.com/michelinbicycle/index.cfm?event=airpressure.view) and adjust accordingly.

Also, in terms of improvements on the MICHELIN Pro3 Race over the MICHELIN Pro2 Race, we have increased the grip on the cornering tread by up to 40% and increased the center tread grip by up to 27%, all with the same durability, longevity, dropping the weight by 20 grams and the price range.

I remember this time I raced a crit just after it had rained. I had the original pro races in light blue. I put 90 PSI in them, weighing 120lbs. I stayed up. a lot of people went down.

I've been a Conti guy for awhile, took the plunge on some PR3's...

and wow.

am I ever impressed.

Thank you for a great tire, Michelin. Seriously. Really confidence inspiring for this new racer!

"After speaking with some others here at Michelin, I have been told that the MICHELIN Pro3 Race in a 25c is expected to hit shops some time in late summer"

thank you MichMan for the follow up.

Scott