Handling of Pro Race 4 Tyres

[l4dva]

Hi all!

I’ve fitted some Michelin Pro Race 4 Endurance tyres to my bike recently and I’ve found the handling now to be very “twitchy”… It felt like I had issues with my front wheel as the faster I got the more unstable the bike felt. Totally lost all confidence in cycling at speed. I even took the bike my LBS and asked them to check my wheels / tyres and they said they were fine, so I’m not sure what’s going on.

Has anyone else noticed any dramatic changes to the handling with pro race 4 tyres? They do feel like the spin a lot faster / seem to ride quicker, but the twitchy feel makes me feel very unsecure on them, I’m even starting to dread long descents now. My previous tyres where Michelin krylion carbons, and they were brilliant went through two pairs and rode with full confidence every time.

Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Fab Foodie]

Tyre pressure?

 

[Hacienda71]

Pro4's are supposed to be very grippy. I have Pro4 Endurance on my bike at the moment and they are fine not quite as light as the Service Course and Race varients but they wear better. I corner at speed with no issues. Before that I had Pro4 service course which were even gripier and prior to that Pro3's. Compared to the Vittorias and Hutchinson tyres I rode before they are miles ahead.

 

[Mugshot]

I ride with the Endurance, just put a new set on (gone from 23s to 25s, what a difference in comfort!) have to say I love them. I find they roll fast, grip well and resist punctures well too, more than happy with them and will continue to use them. As FF says it may be worth checking your pressures. Also, how many miles have you done on them, they can take a few before they scrub up nicely.

 

[l4dva]

Tyre pressue i usally keep at about 115psi so that should be ok.

Maybe I just need to ride them a bit more to get used to it. I've only done a few rides on them, the first I had a very scary moment on a long decend where i almost lost control of the bike but managed to stay upright somehow... that might have put some fear into me maybe?!

They have new pointier profile though so I wasn't sure if that would cause a noticable difference when riding, just wanted to check if anyone else noticed a difference or if its just me being paraniod

 

[raleighnut]

Some tyres can provoke a speed wobble/twitch its down to harmonic frequencies, I'd just change to another tyre.

 

[zizou]

Not had any problems with handling with pro 4.

115 psi is pretty hard, that is the max inflation for the pro 4s, try dropping it a bit (say 105 psi) and see if it makes any improvement.

 

[fossyant]

Michelins need a few rides before the manufacturing release agent has worn off, so take it easy cornering. Pro4's Service Course are great tyres, as are the Endurance model. I use both.

Run them in first. You'll see a white'ish deposit on the tread area. Once this is gone you are OK.

 

[fossyant]

PS what did you have before ?

 

[jack smith]

I loved my pro 4's omhad a few of them and would have a pair now if i couod afford them they are very grippy and fast tyres, im currently running krylion carbons and feel confident on those too but i am looking at swapping them for pro 4's when i can. My pro 4's have never had the white stuff on them either but lithions always do

 

[mcshroom]

I have a pro4 endurance on the front and krylion carbon (old front tyre) on the back of my audax bike (both 25s), Not noticed any difference in handling when i switched from krylion to pro4 myself.

It's no fun riding a bike you don't trust though, so if they don't feel better soon then maybe have a look at different options.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Not had any problems with handling with pro 4.

115 psi is pretty hard, that is the max inflation for the pro 4s, try dropping it a bit (say 105 psi) and see if it makes any improvement.

Agreed ... if we assuming they're 23c, if they're 25C that is too high a pressure.