bikefor2
05-30-12, 09:10 AM
We put on a set of the GP 4season last night. We both looked and looked and couldn't find any directional arrow on these tires. Is there one? Or does it not matter on this model.
Tandem Cycling - Continental GP 4 Season directional arrow?
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PeFSQ
05-30-12, 09:34 AM
We had the same "problem" at the beginning of the season when we changed our tires. There is no arrow on GP 4 Seasons (contrary to GP 4000s). I don't think it really matters for these almost slick road tires, but you can use the intuitive direction of the tread: install them so that the groves would channel the water from the center of the tire out to the edge. Note though that this is only an "imaginary situation" to help somehow pin down the rotational direction of the tire, in reality, the groves on a bicycle tire do not matter very much (at all?) for performance on the wet road. The tire rubber compound and inflation are much more important.
TandemGeek
05-30-12, 10:41 AM
As noted, while it's hard to believe that the tread pattern on bicycle tire used on the road will really matter -- hydroplaning is typically not an issue for bicycles -- you can look at any Continental tire that has it's so-called "directional" tread and that has an arrow that can be found to establish the 'proper' rotation.
This is a link to a photo that I found with a simple Google search which illustrates:
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/download/file.php?id=47069&mode=view
This is a link to a photo that I found with a simple Google search which illustrates:
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/download/file.php?id=47069&mode=view
rhino919
05-30-12, 01:15 PM
From a Competitive Cyclist review (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/review-tires/continental-grand-prix-4000-s-tire_295.html) of the GP4000S:
"We were staring at the tread and riding and staring, wondering how this tread was supposed to grip better than a traditional "slick" tread. In our riding, we didn't notice any better or worse grip. So we asked. We were told that the little side tread shapes are for show. Slicks grab better and bikes don't hydroplane, but there are people who just refuse to believe that slicks are better. So Continental puts a little side pattern on to make a good show to allay the concerns of the doubters who want tread."
From this it appears that tread is just a marketing "gimick". :)
"We were staring at the tread and riding and staring, wondering how this tread was supposed to grip better than a traditional "slick" tread. In our riding, we didn't notice any better or worse grip. So we asked. We were told that the little side tread shapes are for show. Slicks grab better and bikes don't hydroplane, but there are people who just refuse to believe that slicks are better. So Continental puts a little side pattern on to make a good show to allay the concerns of the doubters who want tread."
From this it appears that tread is just a marketing "gimick". :)
DoubleDiamonDog
05-30-12, 01:25 PM
The rotation indicator is there - it is just difficult to find. I believe that it may only be on one side of the tire. It is not on the decal, it is "embossed" on the sidewall, as is other info. You will find it just before the larger "Made in Germany" letters. I have been very pleased with these tires.
bikefor2
05-30-12, 02:11 PM
The rotation indicator is there - it is just difficult to find. I believe that it may only be on one side of the tire. It is not on the decal, it is "embossed" on the sidewall, as is other info. You will find it just before the larger "Made in Germany" letters. I have been very pleased with these tires.
OK, we'll look closer then. I hope we like the tires too. We just rode them for the first time today and had our first flat in 13 months and over 8000 miles! The puncture in the tube appears to have come from the lower sidewall area but so far we haven't found the actual cause after examining the tire.
OK, we'll look closer then. I hope we like the tires too. We just rode them for the first time today and had our first flat in 13 months and over 8000 miles! The puncture in the tube appears to have come from the lower sidewall area but so far we haven't found the actual cause after examining the tire.
merlinextraligh
05-30-12, 02:47 PM
We just rode them for the first time today... The puncture in the tube appears to have come from the lower sidewall area but so far we haven't found the actual cause after examining the tire.
That sounds like an issue with getting the tube seated under the bead, or knicking the tube installing the tire.
That sounds like an issue with getting the tube seated under the bead, or knicking the tube installing the tire.
DoubleDiamonDog
05-30-12, 03:22 PM
When mounted properly and viewed from the rider's left, the rotation indicator is within the first quadrant clockwise from the decal. Shining a flashlight parallel to the tire may make it easier to read the relief of the letters.
PeFSQ
05-30-12, 10:54 PM
I am pretty sure that on our 4Sesons there is no rotational indicator. However, I re-checked carefully with the flash light and here are all embossed signs on the tire, clockwise from the printed 4Seasons decal: "Continental, KxO2, 035927, MADE IN GERMANY, MAX. INFLATE TO 116 PSI - 8.0 BAR, Continental, 28-622, (700x28c)." Is it possible that they put on market two different "versions" of the same tire, one with the arrow and other without?
TandemGeek
05-31-12, 05:15 AM
Is it possible that they put on market two different "versions" of the same tire, one with the arrow and other without?
Sure, anything's possible. But, at this point, what does it matter? You have been given two options that should give you piece of mind:
1. Use the rotational direction that all Continental tires with this tread pattern use, i.e., the one that would in theory channel water away from the center of the tire.
2. Ignore the tread pattern because it's meaningless anyway.
Sure, anything's possible. But, at this point, what does it matter? You have been given two options that should give you piece of mind:
1. Use the rotational direction that all Continental tires with this tread pattern use, i.e., the one that would in theory channel water away from the center of the tire.
2. Ignore the tread pattern because it's meaningless anyway.
conspiratemus1
05-31-12, 08:04 PM
I am pretty sure that on our 4Sesons there is no rotational indicator. However, I re-checked carefully with the flash light and here are all embossed signs on the tire, clockwise from the printed 4Seasons decal: "Continental, KxO2, 035927, MADE IN GERMANY, MAX. INFLATE TO 116 PSI - 8.0 BAR, Continental, 28-622, (700x28c)." Is it possible that they put on market two different "versions" of the same tire, one with the arrow and other without?
Actually there was a jolly Bavarian chap for a time in charge of preparing the tire moulds who decided, as a practical joke, to print random arrows on the tires to get people's shorts (and their little flashlights) in a knot. Then the Prussians who run the company found out -- "Nein komedy fur uss!" -- and so the arrows...and the Bavarians....had to go.
(This is a little tribute to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau who died two weeks ago.)
Actually there was a jolly Bavarian chap for a time in charge of preparing the tire moulds who decided, as a practical joke, to print random arrows on the tires to get people's shorts (and their little flashlights) in a knot. Then the Prussians who run the company found out -- "Nein komedy fur uss!" -- and so the arrows...and the Bavarians....had to go.
(This is a little tribute to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau who died two weeks ago.)
bikefor2
05-31-12, 09:51 PM
Actually there was a jolly Bavarian chap for a time in charge of preparing the tire moulds who decided, as a practical joke, to print random arrows on the tires to get people's shorts (and their little flashlights) in a knot. Then the Prussians who run the company found out -- "Nein komedy fur uss!" -- and so the arrows...and the Bavarians....had to go.
(This is a little tribute to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau who died two weeks ago.)
Ahhhh. Sehr gut! Danke.
(This is a little tribute to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau who died two weeks ago.)
Ahhhh. Sehr gut! Danke.
twocicle
06-01-12, 09:29 PM
The rotation indicator is there - it is just difficult to find. I believe that it may only be on one side of the tire. It is not on the decal, it is "embossed" on the sidewall, as is other info. You will find it just before the larger "Made in Germany" letters. I have been very pleased with these tires.
Not. I checked 2 out of 4 new tires just purchased. Arrow count = Nada.
The 4 Season tread has a offset V pattern. Common "standard" is that when a tread has a V pattern, to point that V forward when it is on the top of the wheel. The link TandemGeek provided does just that, though fails to indicate whether they are referring to top or bottom of wheel. http://weightweenies.starbike.com/fo...7069&mode=view (http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/download/file.php?id=47069&mode=view)
Not. I checked 2 out of 4 new tires just purchased. Arrow count = Nada.
The 4 Season tread has a offset V pattern. Common "standard" is that when a tread has a V pattern, to point that V forward when it is on the top of the wheel. The link TandemGeek provided does just that, though fails to indicate whether they are referring to top or bottom of wheel. http://weightweenies.starbike.com/fo...7069&mode=view (http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/download/file.php?id=47069&mode=view)