The Michelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre is as impressively fast rolling and grippy as the clincher version Steve tested last year, but with the added bonus that it can be run tubeless – and it’s easy to set up, too – though there is a not insignificant increase in price to go along with that.

For more options, check out our guide to the best road bike tyres.

Steve reckoned the clincher versions of these tyres were impressively grippy and speedy when he tested them in June 2022. Not to give away any spoilers, but with the same compounds, these are just as good. The only real difference between the two versions is that these can be set up as tubeless.

2023 Michelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre 700 x 28C - 22023 Michelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre 700 x 28C - boxed 12023 Michelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre 700 x 28C - boxed 22023 Michelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre 700 x 28C - 12023 Michelin Power Cup TLR 28 on wheel 3.jpeg2023 Michelin Power Cup TLR 28 on wheel 2.jpegMichelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre fitted on front bike wheel

It’s worth noting that ease of fitting can be subjective, with rims suiting some tyres better than others for a number of reasons such as basic profiles, rim hook shapes, and width – even the type of sealant can impact how well they seat.

I ran these tubeless on a set of Hunt Aerodynamist wheels with 20mm internal widths and setting them up was simple. They seated easily, with the front going on without even needing a blast from a pressurised tank, and the rear needing just one blast.

There was some initial deflation in the first couple of days, as is standard, but after a couple of spins up and down the road they held air well.

2023 Michelin Power Cup TLR 28 on wheel 3.jpeg
2023 Michelin Power Cup TLR 28 on wheel 3 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Steve ran the clincher versions at 80psi and found the tyres comfortable and fast, and when I ran the tubeless version at 60 I found exactly the same thing. I used these on some of the roughest roads around me and they provided a good amount of compliance while still allowing for enough feedback that I felt confident about knowing what was going on under me. It is a good combination.

I didn’t notice any punctures or see any sealant blobs throughout the review period, which suggests the impressive robustness of the clincher versions is replicated in the tubeless option.

2023 Michelin Power Cup TLR 28 on wheel 2.jpeg
2023 Michelin Power Cup TLR 28 on wheel 2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

I used these in a few rougher conditions, too, after heavy rainfall when you might reasonably expect the kind of puncture-causing rubbish to be washed into the road, and didn’t have any issues.

What’s interesting here is that the clincher versions have an additional Aramid Shield layer for puncture protection, which is ditched on the tubeless version, but it doesn’t appear to have made much difference in terms of puncture protection.

2023 Michelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre 700 x 28C - 1
2023 Michelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre 700 x 28C - 1 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

In terms of grip they are excellent. They gave me the confidence to take corners fast, being reassuringly grippy even in wet conditions. This comes from Michelin’s Gum-X compound which was originally developed for its Moto-GP tyres.

When these were originally launched, Michelin claimed they were the fastest ever road tyres. I’m not in a position to confirm or deny that, but there is no doubt they are very fast tyres that spin up quickly. Initially I thought I just had a few ‘good leg days’ in a row, but turns out it was the tyres. (Bicycle Rolling Resistance has the 25s on a par with Continental’s Grand Prix 5000 S TR in its rolling resistance tests.)

These tubeless-ready versions have a slight weight penalty against the clinchers, hitting the scales at 269g vs 232g (both 28s). However, this is significantly lighter than other tubeless ready tyres we’ve reviewed recently at similar and higher price points.

2023 Michelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre 700 x 28C - boxed 1
2023 Michelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre 700 x 28C - boxed 1 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Talking of which… with an rrp of £69.99, they’re £17 more than the clincher versions. They do compare fairly well to other tubeless-ready tyres, though. For instance, the Pirelli P Zero Race TLRs that Stu reviewed recently hit the scales at 305g and cost £78.99.

Specialized’s S-Works Turbo 2BR 2Bliss Ready T2/T5s, which I tested at the end of last year, are slightly heavier at 295g, but £15 less.

The Michelins come in two colours, either solid black or tan wall. In black they come in three sizes, 25, 28 (as tested) and 30mm, and in tan wall either 25 or 28mm.

Overall I was very impressed with these tyres. They are fast, grippy, and appear to be impressively puncture resistant too. They certainly aren’t the cheapest tyres you can find, but nor are they mind-blowingly expensive compared with some. I’d say the price is about right for the quality they offer.

Verdict

Fast, grippy, and easy to set up tubeless

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Michelin Power Cup Tubeless Ready Tyre 700×28

Size tested: 700×28

Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Michelin says: “Enhance your riding experience with the Tubeless Ready version of the MICHELIN Power Cup tyre.”

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Michelin lists these features and details:

Rolling resistance

Speed and efficiency inspired by MotoGP™ technology.

Durability

Light and reliable thanks to the Tubeless Shield technology and 4×120 tpi casing.

Grip

Efficient handling and stability in both wet and dry conditions thanks to the Gum-X compound.

Performance proven riders approved

The tyres used by the Cofidis team for riding at monuments and Grand Tours.

Wheel Size 700 C

Category Road / Race

Colour Black

Carcass 4 x 120 TPI

Weight 260 g

Type Tubeless

Bead Foldable

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

They seat well, hold air nicely, and didn’t puncture during the review.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Excellent; they are fast, grippy, and easy to fit – everything you need from a high-performance tyre.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No punctures or even sealant beads during the review period, which bodes well.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10

Very good for a set of tubeless tyres compared with others at a similar price.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
9/10

Very comfortable, not only in terms of road feel and sucking up the bumps, but also in the confidence that the grip gives you.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Not the most expensive in this class, but equally not as cheap as others.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well, these tyres are fast and grippy, and haven’t had any issues with punctures throughout the review.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The grip – they give you real confidence into fast corners.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing of note.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

They compare fairly well to other TLR tyres, such as the Pirelli P Zero Race TLRs, which hit the scales at 305g and cost £78.99. I tested Specialized’s S-Works Turbo 2BR 2Bliss Ready T2/T5s recently and they are slightly heavier at 295g, but £15 cheaper.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

They’re excellent: fast, grippy performance tyres that spin up very well and give you a real confidence in the corners. The tubeless setup is also simple, and getting them seated was not an issue at all.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 6 ft  Weight:

I usually ride: CAAD13  My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo

I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed,