Michelin tyre sizes accurate?

its funny, i had the same problem with the 4 seasons Continental, otherwise great tires. Maybe the use another numbering system...

I haven't yet found a manufacturer who always quotes accurate tyre widths so i don't expect Michelin to be any different.

In any case, it depends as tyre construction varies between manufacturers and models. Should it be measured on the width of the casing or on the total width (which is als affected by the width and thickness of the tread and casing protection coatings)? No-one can agree.

Kolchek,
If you do get the Michelin Sport Pilot, please let us know your impressions.
The thing that kept me from buying them is the low 33 tpi
I went instead with german made ultra gatorskins
Thanks

Chain Reaction cycles has them incredibly cheap at the moment so I'll give them a try & let you know.

Kolchek,
Thanks for the tip.
I ordered a set as well.
At this price, it can't be a big risk 😉

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by digifant [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]
At this price, it can't be a big risk 😉

Exactly. No probs.

I've installed the tires (700x35) this morning & rolled them to work ~2km
I weigh 95kg, so I have inflated them to 110psi, like the continentals
Michelin says max 87 psi, but I was wondering, what's the max pressure before a blow out?
Any experience?

Tyre casings are quite strong and will take plenty of pressure, but i have grave fears for your rims (and your safety) at such high pressures. The pressure (directed outwards) tends to try to peel the rim apart. This stress on the rim is proportional to the tyre pressure and the inside surface area of the tyre (which is proprtional to tyre width). Most rims have recomended maximum pressures of around 110~120psi for 23mm tyres. Your 35s have at least 52% more surface area and therefore put at least 52% more stress on the rims at this pressure. If you haven't exceeded the rim's factor of safety then you are very close to it.

The tyre maximum of 87psi is there for this reason.

Furthermore, it is a maximum pressure. That can be very different from the ideal pressure (which is usually lower, not higher).

I haven't received mine yet digifant, do the 35s measure about 35 on your rims?

Tafi, scary story: I'll play safe and deflate to 90 psi

Kolchek, I took some photos.
The rim is 13mm wide (Mavic Ksyrium equipe)
As you see on the last image, the tire is ~3mm from the chainStays (on kona major jake)
[IMG]cyclingforums.com500Open ↗[/IMG]
[IMG]cyclingforums.com500Open ↗[/IMG]
[IMG]cyclingforums.com500Open ↗[/IMG]

Thanks for the pics.

That's a tight fit!

Hi digifant, how are your rear gears working ... good, bad, etc :-)

Very tight fit ... how come you went for a 35mm tyre?
Actually, +1 with tafi's post ... between 80 and 90psi should be more than sufficient :-)

kLabs,
downshifting 2 gears is not always precise: the chain would return 1 gear up.
I often have to click the lever to adjust. But upshifting is always right.
I tried the 35mm for the comfort around town.
Besides, topography makes it difficult to roll more than 30kmh

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by digifant [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

kLabs,
downshifting 2 gears is not always precise: the chain would return 1 gear up.
I often have to click the lever to adjust. But upshifting is always right.
I tried the 35mm for the comfort around town.
Besides, topography makes it difficult to roll more than 30kmh

Hi digifant, I initially had a similar issue, but I found with the MTB RD (XT/M772) that I could rotate it foward so that the chain from the bottom of the sprocket to the guide pulley wheel is always (or nearly always) horizontal. This made a huge difference, providing nearly always perfect shifting :-)

I could rotate the MTB RD forward because the B screw adjusts with the MTB RD mechanism and not against the Derailleur Hanger. :-)

Unfortunately, you cannot do this with a road RD because the B screw adjusts against the Derailleur Hanger :-(

The only thing with a 35mm tyre is the rotating weight, but you will get a more comfortable ride :-)