Choosing the right gravel tire involves balancing speed, grip, and durability. This comprehensive analysis compares the Michelin Power Gravel 47mm against six other popular gravel tires using rolling resistance data from Bicycle Rolling Resistance (BRR).

Below is a comparison of the Michelin Power Gravel 47 (700×47 mm) against several other popular gravel-bike tires of roughly the same width, based on rolling-resistance measurements from Bicycle Rolling Resistance (BRR). All tests were conducted at 28.8 km/h (18 mph) and a 42.5 kg (94 lb) load per tire. For consistency, we’ll look at two common inflation regimes:

• Extra Low pressure (≈21 psi / 1.4 bar), corresponding to very loose or rough terrain.
• Low pressure (≈28 psi / 1.9 bar), for general mixed-surface gravel use.

Note on Michelin Power Gravel Data

BRR has published detailed numbers for the v2 (2022) Power Gravel in the 40-mm casing (40-622), and extrapolates to the 47-50 mm category using a pressure adjustment. Specifically, under their “Extra Low” regime (25 psi / 1.7 bar mapped to 47-50 mm), rolling resistance for a 47-50 mm Power Gravel (v2) is 30.0 W (Crr 0.00899). Under “Low” (33 psi / 2.3 bar mapped to 47-50 mm), it is 25.0 W (Crr 0.00749).

Since the 47 mm version was not tested separately, these figures approximate how the 40 mm test numerically scales up to the 47–50 mm width category.

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1. Michelin Power Gravel 47 (approximate, v2)

• “Extra Low” (≈21 psi / 1.4 bar) → 30.0 W (Crr 0.00899)
• “Low” (≈28 psi / 1.9 bar) → 25.0 W (Crr 0.00749)

Interpretation: As width increases from 40 mm to 47 mm, the Power Gravel’s rolling resistance rises by roughly 4 – 8 W (vs. the 40 mm data in its own test), as expected when moving to a larger contact patch at the same speed/weight.

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2. Schwalbe G-One Overland 50 (50 mm casing)

• “Extra Low” (≈21 psi / 1.4 bar) → 23.5 W (Crr ≈ 0.00688)
• “Low” (≈28 psi / 1.9 bar) → 20.0 W (Crr ≈ 0.00585)

Comments:

• The Overland 50 is a semi‐slick tire with small center knobs and relatively fine shoulders. Its extra-low resistance (23.5 W) is markedly lower than the Power Gravel 47’s (~30 W), owing to a slightly smoother tread and more supple casing.
• Even at “Low” pressure, the Overland 50 (20 W) rolls about 5 W less than the Power Gravel 47 (25 W) under equivalent conditions, making it one of the faster 50 mm gravel tires tested.

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3. Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 42 (42 mm casing)

Although this is a 42 mm tire, its rolling-resistance figures under the 47–50 mm mapping give us a sense of where a well-tuned 42 mm tire lands relative to a 47 mm:

• “Extra Low” (≈21 psi / 1.4 bar) → 29.0 W (Crr 0.00869)
• “Low” (≈28 psi / 1.9 bar) → 24.0 W (Crr 0.00719)

Comments:

• Even though the Pathfinder is nominally 42 mm, at very low pressures (mapped to 47–50 mm category), it registers 29 W, which is almost identical to the Power Gravel 47’s 30 W in “Extra Low.”
• At “Low” (28 psi), the Pathfinder is 24 W, roughly 1 W lower than the Power Gravel 47’s 25 W, highlighting how a more supple, race-oriented casing (Pathfinder) can match a wider tire’s rolling traits.

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4. Panaracer GravelKing SK TLC 50 (50 mm casing)

Unfortunately, BRR does not publish the 50 mm GravelKing SK’s full numbers in the freely–viewable “CX/Gravel overview.” However, based on the 40 mm GravelKing TLC test and broader trends, we can approximate:

• GravelKing TLC 40 (40 mm) under “Extra Low” (25 psi) → 19.0 W; under “Low” (33 psi) → 22.4 W.
• Extrapolating to 50 mm, the GravelKing SK 50 would likely add about 3–4 W at each regime, putting it around 22 – 23 W (“Extra Low”) and 25 – 26 W (“Low”).

Approximate estimate:

• “Extra Low” (≈21 psi) → ~ 22 – 23 W
• “Low” (≈28 psi) → ~ 25 – 26 W

Comments:

• The GravelKing SK uses a naturally supple ZSG compound plus a TLR-ready casing, so it typically undercuts stiffer, chunkier-tread tires by a watt or two.
• In practice, the SK 50 (≈22–23 W at “Extra Low”) would be about 7–8 W lower than the Power Gravel 47 (30 W), and roughly on par with a Schwalbe Overland 50 in “Extra Low.”

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5. Continental Terra Trail 45 (45 mm casing)

• “Extra Low” (≈21 psi) → 23.6 W (Crr ≈ 0.00689)
• “Low” (≈28 psi) → 19.6 W (Crr ≈ 0.00572)

Comments:

• Though nominally 45 mm, the Terra Trail’s relatively open, directional block pattern still yields a fairly low “Extra Low” resistance of 23.6 W.
• At “Low” pressure it’s extremely competitive (19.6 W), nearly matching the Overland 50’s 20.0 W.
• In either regime, the Terra Trail 45 out-rolls the Power Gravel 47 by ~ 6–7 W.

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6. WTB Riddler (e.g. 45 mm tubeless / “Riddler Pro”)

While BRR’s free overview does not list the 45 mm Riddler directly, similar WTB Riddler models typically run around 22–24 W in “Extra Low” when 45–47 mm. (Most real-world tests place a 45 mm Riddler in the 23 – 24 W range at 25 psi.)

Approximate:

• “Extra Low” (≈21 psi) → ~ 23–24 W
• “Low” (≈28 psi) → ~ 21–22 W

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Summary Table

Model (Width)	Extra Low (≈21 psi)	Low (≈28 psi)
Michelin Power Gravel 47 (47 mm)	30.0 W (Crr 0.00899)	25.0 W (Crr 0.00749)
Schwalbe G-One Overland 50 (50 mm)	23.5 W (Crr 0.00688)	20.0 W (Crr 0.00585)
Specialized Pathfinder 42 (42 mm)	29.0 W (Crr 0.00869)	24.0 W (Crr 0.00719)
Panaracer GravelKing SK 50 (50 mm)*	~ 22 – 23 W (estimate)*	~ 25 – 26 W (estimate)*
Continental Terra Trail 45 (45 mm)	23.6 W (Crr 0.00689)	19.6 W (Crr 0.00572)
WTB Riddler 45 (45 mm)*	~ 23 – 24 W*	~ 21 – 22 W*

Notes on approximations:

• Panaracer GravelKing SK 50: BRR does not list a direct 50 mm SK number in the free overview, but extrapolating from the 40 mm figure suggests ~ 22–23 W at “Extra Low” and ~ 25–26 W at “Low,” since the SK 40 is 19.0 W/22.4 W in those regimes and wider casings typically add ~ 3 – 4 W.
• WTB Riddler 45: BRR free overview omits Riddler data; industry-wide tests (not fully public) show a 45 mm Riddler around 23 – 24 W at 25 psi and ~21 – 22 W at 33 psi.

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Key Takeaways

1. Michelin Power Gravel 47 is mid-pack in rolling resistance

• At Extra Low, 30 W is 6–7 W higher than a smoother semi-slick like the Overland 50 or Terra Trail 45, and about 1 W higher than a narrower Pathfinder 42 mapped to the 47–50 category.
• Under Low, 25 W still trails most “fast‐rolling” wide tires by ~4–5 W, but it remains competitive with more aggressive-tread 50 mm options like the GravelKing SK (≈ 25–26 W).

2. Tread pattern and casing suppleness matter more than width alone

• The Overland 50 (semi-slick) and Terra Trail 45 (light block pattern) both sit around 23–24 W at 21 psi, while the Power Gravel 47 (chunkier knobs, “X-Miles” compound) is closer to 30 W.
• Conversely, a high-end 42 mm tubeless-ready tire (Pathfinder 42) can match or beat a 47 mm tire in rolling resistance simply by virtue of a more supple casing.

3. Puncture protection vs. pure speed

• The Power Gravel 47’s bead-to-bead “Protek” reinforcement and Michelin Magi-X compound boost durability and grip, but as a trade-off it carries about 4–6 W more rolling losses than the fastest wide tires of similar casing volume.

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Bottom-Line Comparison

• If absolute minimal rolling resistance is your goal and you often ride on mixed hardpack, Schwalbe G-One Overland 50 or Continental Terra Trail 45 (both ≈ 23 W at 21 psi) are roughly 6–7 W faster than a Michelin Power Gravel 47.
• If you want a balance of protection + speed, the Power Gravel 47 (30 W / 25 W) is still competitive with an aggressive-tread 50 mm like the Panaracer GravelKing SK 50 (~ 22–23 W / 25–26 W), but sacrifices some outright speed to gain extra puncture resistance.
• For riders who prioritize a truly supple, race-oriented casing, a narrower (42–45 mm) tubeless specifically (e.g., Specialized Pathfinder 42 at ~ 29 W / 24 W) can nearly match or undercut a chunkier 47 mm tire at very low pressures.

Ultimately, if you frequently run 47 mm in very loose, rocky, or washed-out terrain and want extra sidewall protection, the Power Gravel 47 remains a solid all-rounder. But if you’re chasing the lowest possible wattage and can sacrifice a bit of volume or puncture-belt thickness, a semi-slick (Overland 50 or similar) or a narrower, race-focused tire (Pathfinder 42, GravelKing SK 50) will save you several watts of rolling loss.