RonH

I had three sidewall cuts in three different GP4000 tires in the past two years. Each tire had low mileage so this was very distressing. Earlier this week I had a sidewall cut on another low mileage GP4000.
After the first three cuts I put GP 4 Season tires on my Litespeed. I've had great success with no sidewall cuts in over a year, so tomorrow I'm heading over to REI to pick up a set of 4 Seasons for the Specialized.

DataJunkie

Strange. That is my favorite tire I have ever ridden. I can't stand the 4 season I am riding on one bike.
I've ridden through debris filled shoulders, over piles of glass, through the grass (we have goatheads), etc. Not one single issue.
Don't get me started on Michelin tires. Nothing but issues with them while many of my friends ride the exact same tire. Go figure.

clydeosaur

I tried the 4's & loved them, but thought they would last longer. So, I replaced them with a set if Mich. Krylons. The Krylons lasted the same mileage, but rode much harder. I'm going back to the 4000's.

ahsposo 

I've the same experience as DataJunkie. I love Michelins on my car but have had nothing but problems with their bike tires. Specifically the bead separating from the sidewall. Three different tires over a two year period. Others swear by them.

RonH

I like them too. I've been riding on GP3000 and GP4000 since about 2003. I don't know if Conti changed something with the GP4000/GP4000s, but I've been riding on the same crappy, debris filled roads for over 10 years. Not sure why I've been getting only sidewall cuts lately.
But the GP 4 Season tires work great. I wish the ride was a little nicer.

StanSeven

You're just having bad luck. Most people here will say it's the best tire they've ridden.

DataJunkie

The ride is rather rough with 4 seasons.
I have also found that mine seem to be squaring off very quickly.

bike_boy

So far 1 season on my GP 4K's w/no issues.

RonH

Before buying the Conti GP 4 Season tires ($80 each at REI ) I decided to research a few other brands. Anyone have experience with the following -- 700x23? Thanks.
Schwalbe Durano Plus HS 399
Maxxis Re-Fuse
Vittoria Rubino Pro III
Vittoria Rubino Pro Tech III

Any others you'd recommend?

SPlKE 

I stopped riding on GP 4000s because they flat too much.

I've been riding vredestein fortezza superlites for over a year. They not only don't flat at all on the roads I used to flat the GPs on, they cost less and here's the real kicker ... the handing and road feel are head and shoulders above the contis.

I'm done with conti tires altogether.

Check out a set of the vreds. You won't be sorry.

They won't give you quite the mileage you get from the contis, but since they cost less, perform better, and resist flats MUCH better, I'd say it's a deal.

chinarider

I put a pair of regular Vredetein Fortezza's on in April 2010 (25c). Liked them a lot, but apparently no longer available. The front tire now has ~5350 miles on it-- no flats. I replaced the rear about 750 miles ago with a used Bonty racelite hardcase I had around. The rear Vred was showing threads, but also no flats. Anyway I ordered a pair of GP 4000s mainly due to all the good things I've read about them. Haven't put them on yet tho. Probably wait till next spring. Curious to see if they live up to the hype.

Joemess

I am with the OP. Had two sidewalk cuts one new tires ( less than 1500) miles.

merlin55

the sidewalls cuts are a user error issue....see the rock, do not hit the rock, do not graze the rock

SPlKE 

That... or, user get better tires, run over rock, don't worry about shoddy overpriced tire failing.

I've ridden on contis since the GP-3000 series. After numerous flats, I finally said, WTF? and bailed on conti bike tires in 2010. And I've had conti tires on my last two german cars. They're all overpriced, shoddy crap.

The riders I know who constantly rave about conti tires are the ones who have never ridden anything else, or they went from crappy steel-bead LBS "special" tires to contis and thought that was all they proof they needed that contis are the most awesomest tires in the world, and were willing to pay the ridiculously inappropriate premium for conti tires.

RonH

Rock??? There are no rocks in the roads and streets. This is metro Atlanta, not a mountain bike trail. There's only glass, metal debris, small gravel, potholes, etc.


I'm just looking for tires that offer a comfortable ride like the GP 4000 that also have good sidewall protection like the Conti GP 4 Season tires.

tsl

Try the pricing at the UK online shops, Ribble, Pro Bike Kit, Wiggle, Chain Reaction, etc.

At today's exchange rate, the GP 4Seasons are $40.04 each at Ribble. Their shipping to the US (Royal Mail Global Priority converts to Express Mail Overnight when it hits JFK) is flat-rate ($22-$25 depending on the exchange rate) so I usually order a bunch of stuff at once. PBK and the others can have slightly higher prices, but lower shipping, sometimes free. It's worth it to comparison shop, especially if ordering only one or two items.

RonH

I went to Performance today to see what tires they had. All I saw were various Conti tires and the Performance brand, Forte. Don't know anything about them. Then I went down the street to REI and picked up a pair of Vittoria Rubino Tech III tires. They were only $38 each. Better than $80 each for GP 4 Season. I had good luck with Vittoria Rubino tires on my commuter bike in 2001-2003. I hope these are just as good.

shokhead

Never had a flat on 4 season. I won't use anything else.

chinarider

BTW: Amazon has the Conti GP 4000s for 57.95. If you get a prime account, free 2 day shipping. Wel worth it if you get a lot from them.

DataJunkie

I would rather use a tire that occasionally flatted and rode well as opposed to one that never flats and rides like crap.

shokhead

They don't ride as bad as you describe and I'll wave as I pass you fixing your flats. BTW, if it wasn't for all of those riders that dress, ride and stock their bike with the latest, greatest and lightest and best inc tires that flat I wouldn't pass anybody.

DataJunkie

Really? Defensive about your tire selection? lol

shokhead

Nope! Are you? I always find it funny that some riders{not meaning you** need the lightest tires for non racing and spend more time fixing flats so they can talk about how super light their tires are.

DataJunkie

I haven't flatted in months. That is until today. Guess what tire flatted....my 4 seasons.

Wake

I pinch-flatted a front GP4000S by hitting a 1" rock. However, I couldn't find any damage to the sidewall. I love these tires.