MICHELIN Lithion 2 Road Tire

I initially wanted to purchase a set of the Continental Gatorskin tires, but decided to go with these because they were a bit more affordable, and they also had great reviews here on Amazon. These tires replaced a well worn set of older Continentals, and are worth every penny. Some reviewers have stated that the dark grey version that i bought is actually an all black tire, but this is not true. At night they appear black, but in daylight the grey sidewalls are noticeable.I gave these tires 5 stars because they fit my budget, plus they have an acceptable amount of rolling resistance, durability and ride comfort. I also like the fact that they have some additional puncture resistance for commuters like myself. The tires look great on my bike. Very subtle and understated, but nice. They definitely are not the type of tire that screams "STEAL THIS BIKE". I have already put them through some potholes and small rocks/broken glass, and they resisted them both pretty well. These are great tires, and I would recommend them to anyone who commutes, or does a majority of their riding at a comfortable pace in a heavily populated, debris riddled area. I can't say too much about performance at high speed, due to the fact that i ride at a moderate pace due to my desire to stay coherent while enduring the 100+ degree weather here in the Las Vegas area.On a side note, there was quite a bit of residue on the surface of the tires when i received them, but a couple rides and some scrubbing with simple green got the tires nice and shiny :)UPDATE: 4/8/2014The tires are still holding up well after 980+ miles and counting. The ride has changed a bit, it may be because I don't re-inflate my tubes as often, but overall the ride seems grippier now in comparison to the first 2-3 months. Could be because I am much more confident riding with them, and pushing them harder as a result. Had one tube change over winter due to hitting a sharp concrete shard with the back tire (no tire damage, but tube was pinched so i chucked it. This was a PITA to do away from home (tires did not go easily over the rim, plus i was using some short, cheap tire levers I carry with me on rides only, and a Topeak Pocket Rocket pump)ADVICE FOR FUTURE OWNERS: Beware of emergency tire changes like mine. I would suggest another type of pump (or tire, of course) because you'll exhaust yourself just getting the tire on your rim, let alone re-inflating with a mini-pump when you're already tired. My arms felt like they were gonna fall off after just one tube change. I removed 1 star for the aggravation I endured. This is the only thing I don't like about these tires.

Ok, so I am not sure where to start, so I'll try to give an amended version of the story. I bought new tires and tubes for my road bike because I was planning to start riding more in the mornings (predawn) instead of running (28 YO with inflammatory arthritis and running is bad on my joints). So, talked the wife into letting me get some new rubber. Settled on these because they seemed like a good balance of value and quality. Also read a lot of reviews here and @ nashbar about durability. My main concern with riding that early is the risk of getting a flat and being stranded. I ride 6 mi to a bike path, ride 10-20 miles on the path and 6 miles home. The path is very debris-free but you never know what you'll find between there and home. Last thing I want to do is repair a flat in the dark. I guess I should have done more research.On my first ride, I got a flat .5 mi from home. Located the thorn and left it in there, pump tire up and made it home. 2 rides later, rode through glass and slashed a 1/4" gash in the tire, flattening it almost immediately. I was able to repair it and the tire still holds the tube (after a little superglue stitching). These two road debris incidents may have resulted in a flat regardless, but I was hoping for a little more durability.I have since found the gatorskins (which will probably be my next tire) and tube liners (which I just ordered and will be installing tomorrow) to prevent flats.They do ride beautifully though. I have a Specialized road bike (commuter bike, nothing too serious) and these tires really smoothed my ride out. I've always been timid in corners with my original tires and can now power through them with confidence and can just 'feel' that I am glued to the road. In the end, I am hoping the two flats were a fluke and that I'll be able to get 3000+ miles out of these. Maybe I'll update after I get more miles under them.

That's what I thought when I first opened the box. I'd had no experience with folding tires or ever seen one but was willing to try something new. Weird, dainty piece of hoo, I thought as I was unfolding them. It took me a few tries to get the knack of how to mount them; they are more unruly than wire bead tires in that regard.I now have approx 500 miles on these tires. They have been completely trouble-free, ride well, wear well and look great. I have inadvertently ridden them over glass at least 3 or 4 times that I can recall and have nothing much to show except for a few very tiny cuts in the tire tread. No leaks. I prefer a slick tire like these instead of one with tread for the following reasons: 1: A slick doesn't have any tread crevices in which to trap gravel/glass/etc that can later work thru the casing; 2: It is easier to inspect the tire to see if something is indeed stuck in it; 3: Tread is unnecessary on pavement. The handling of these Lithion 2's is predictable on both dry and wet roads and the ride is about as good as a 700 x 23 is capable of...which of course isn't exactly cushy...but these tires feel better than the 2 other brands I've ridden.I'd like to mention that a thick, heavy "thorn resistant" inner tube will absolutely kill any tire's ride quality, because the supple sidewall and casing won't be allowed flex like its designed to. The net effect is one of turning the tire into a steamroller. Tire liners can have this effect too, but to a lesser degree.I purchased the 700 x 23 in "gray". As at least one other reviewer has pointed out, The item called "gray" is actually a black tire with white lettering.My experience with these tires has been very positive and I would purchase them again.

I've used Michelin Lithion's folding tyres for training as a repeat purchaser for several years. Why? Because I find them grippy yet responsive, not overly heavy and thus rolling well, yet having sufficient puncture protection to keep all but the most vicious thorns at bay. The updated '2' version comes in a range of sidewall colours to match or contrast your steed, I chose red and it's a very close match to the bike's paintwork. I've just swapped these tyres for the pair that came with the bike (made by a different manufacturer) and these feel instantly a mile or two an hour quicker. These 700c x 23 tyres are a little tight to fit at first but experience says they ease with age as they adapt to their inflated shape, give ride comfort and easily hold my preferred 110 psi pressure.If you are looking for a fast racing tyre, or conversely a virtually puncture-proof tyre where rolling resistance isn't an issue (and neither is speed) then this won't be for you, but for many solo training run requirements as well as those at standard cycling club run pace this is a competitively priced tyre and fits the job just fine.

Have used these tyres before. Usual Michelin quality. Hold the road well (wet or dry) and last a long time. OK so they are not a race tyre but excellent for general use and good value.

Good quality tyre rolls well good grip wet or dry works good for my machine 5* for this product well happy update still going fantastic for the price doing rolling road and still going

Absolute nightmare to put on, then almost immediately got a puncture, have now bought some Gatorskins.

Fantastic lovely tyres