TDRILL

So it was time for me to buy my first set of replacement tires and I went with what seems to be the forum favorite GP4000. I got the GP4000S to be exact.

The ride and everything is fine with these, but they seem to have less grip than the stock tires that came on my Madone. Those tires just say Bontrager Race Lite on the side. Now I realize I've lost grip in some situation where tires most often lose grip (stopping, in the rain, etc) but a never had any of those problems with my old stock tires.

Am I crazy here? I didn't expect some kind of miracle tire, but I'm surprised how many times I've had them skid on me in the first month I've had them on, when I never lost grip before on my cheapys

Yaniel

Granted, I don't descend on mine, but I ride in the rain multiple times a week, often in fast group situations where we have to jam on the brakes sometimes. They've never skidded.

BigK75

Wow....I am experiencing the same thing.

I had the Race Lite on my 2008 Madone 5.2 but changed this season to the Conti 4000S after the Race Lite wore out.

I thought the same thing when I started riding the Conti. It seems I cannot go into the corners as fast as I did before because the bike will not grip as hard and therefore will not lean enough for me to feel safe. At first I thought it was just me since everyone else thinks they are the bomb. Glad I a not the only one that feels that way.

Claude

palesaint

I'm on the 3rd year of switching to GP4000's and am still amazed at the combination of ride quality, handling and flat resistance. Sure, there are better tires out there for handling, but at the expense if durability. And there are more durable tires that don't ride as nicely. The GP4000 is absolutely the best do-it-all tire though. They're especially nice when you score a $70/pair deal at PBK.

echotraveler

Sounds like your using the rear brake to stop...

Mine have no skid issues, ive had skid situations when i over brake the rear wheel, nothing catastrophic thank god.

LowCel 

I'm on my forth or fifth set in two years and I still love them. I can't imagine how hard someone would be going into a corner to have to worry about losing grip with them. I would lean more towards the rider than the tire in that situation. I've gone into some tight turns way too fast and never had an issue.

hhnngg1

Yup, totally overhyped.

While not bad tires per se, they aren't incredible. I absolutely preferred the grip and feel of the Rubino pros that came with my bike, and the only tire sidewall blowouts I've had are with the GP4000s, which I've stopped using.

canam73

If I always had to ride on one tire I would use GP4000S. But I don't. So I use Mich Krylion on my high mileage training wheels, Mich P3R on my performance wheels and GP 4 Season on my rain bike.

I do have a spare set of all purpose wheels currently shod with them.

Bluechip

Of course they are over hyped. Everything is- but I love them! I don't think I've had a bad tire since my original tires from my old mid 80's Cannondale(probably low end Panaracer). I've always used one of the better brands (Michelin, Conti, etc.) "racing" tires and have not really noticed much difference except for flat resistance and tire life. I've never slipped in corners where I blamed the tire. Comfort for me is determined by the size of the tire. 19's were popular when I first started riding and then went to 23's, and now I use 25's most of the time.

TDRILL

Well thats the thing, I can sort of justify all of my skids . . .



First time out, I skidded the rear braking. I was heading down a very slight decline, I must have been weighted funny on the bike taking weight off the back. But it was bone dry out, I don't keep my rear brake very tight so it never grips all that hard, I normally just use it for slowing on long decents, and again I've never skidded the Bontragers in way sketchier situations than this simple stop sign slowing

Then yesterday it started raining on my way to my favorite climb. When I got there, I got out of the saddle to attack the steep beginning and my rear tire kept skidding under power. I'm not that guy so I'm sure it was a combo of having just rained so the road being super slippery, the grade, and me having all my weight up over the handlebars. I climbed another climb later after letting a little bit of air out of the rear, but the surface was also much coarser, and I didn't have any problem.

Third skid was also yesterday as I crossed a steel bridge in the wet and came really close to biting it as the front tire came out from under me, but I have to assume any tire would have done that.






So yea I can justify them but combined I'm not feeling all the confident in them at the moment. I'm quite sure I need to be more careful about my inflation pressures to maximize my contact patch. IDK, with all the Bontrager hating around here I figured I was missing out on something but the more other stuff I try the more I think this Bontrager junk ain't so bad. Well, its not like I'm going to take the GP4000S tires off, but color me underwhelmed so far

Bacciagalupe

Everything in cycling, and especially road bikes, is overhyped.

That said, I haven't had any issues like what you're describing with any road tire. You really shouldn't skid out -- on a bicycle, you don't want to lock the brakes at higher speeds.

I'd check your brakes. Also check to make sure you installed the tires in the correct direction, and you're pumping them to the correct PSI.

richard_dupp

RaceXLites came on my Madones and I replaced them with GP4000s and had the exact opposite experience. Handling was much improved.

FrenchFit 

You were riding those Bontrager nylon blend tires or one of the newer technologies? Regardless, they have some nice qualities, but all around speed and comfort, handling goes to the GP4000s imho. If I had a pair of [XXX] Race Lites I wouldn't throw them away, but I wouldn't pay 30-40 a tire for them..

pdedes

Got the gp4ks and was underwhelmed. I do like the schwalbe ultremos. Best tires i have been on this season goes to a pair of well aged vittoria open corsas (two years in the cellar). For those older style of tires, some aging does them wonders in terms of adding a bit of durability

Ultraslide

LOL ... otherwise some very good advise. Word from Conti is that they put the directional arrow on the tire only so people won't call and ask "which direction" to mount them. There is no difference. That said ... the one time I got a bad gash in a GP4000S, my only flat in 4 years, was when the tire was mounted "backwards". LOL I am really happy with my GP4000S. Good ride and long life. There are more grippy tires but nothing that lasts.

chas58

You explained it pretty well. It’s not the tire’s fault

#1) Tires have a mold release compound on them when new. All new tires will have less traction until you wear this off
#2) Yep, roads are real greasy at the beginning of a rain, you will have a lot more traction (on any tire) once the rain has washed away the surface grease and grime
#3) yep, any tire would be touchy on wet steel

Over inflating the tire isn’t going to help either. Conti does a lot of work to find the optimum inflation for a tire. For 23mm it is 110psi, for 25mm it is 95psi. Going above that in the rain isn’t great either.

Seattle Forrest

They've done really well for me, including descents through switchbacks.

Drag

I have Rubino Pro Slicks, and what has impressed me is their puncture resistance. Ive ridden through gravel and lots of crunchy glass and I have yet to puncture in over 2000 miles. I am stunned.

I was thinking of actually trying the folding Continental Ultra Race, but until the Rubinos give me a real reason to look elsewhere (they can be had pretty cheap on sale) Ill keep buying them.

HokuLoa

1) Why are you rear braking on slight decline? You ARE using your front brake most of the time, right...?
2) Any tire will lose traction on a newly wet climb when improperly weighted out of the saddle.
3) Any tire will lose traction on wet metal.

Your lack of confidence is due to circumstance and action that has nothing to do with the tires. They are great tires that perform beautifully as intended despite being overly hyped like almost all cycling gear. There really is a legit, qualify related reason why loads of peeps rave about them. That said there are also plenty of other quality tires as well...

datlas 

I think these tires are really good.

If you want more grip get the Michelin PR3 or PR4...but be prepared for faster wear and more flats.

UmneyDurak

GPs have a really nice compromise between grip and longivity. Sure there are other that grip better, but at a price of fast wear. My compromise is to run GP on the back and Specialized Turbo s-works in the front. Specialized has better grip, but wouldn't last as long on the back.

bored117 

Is that really the case with PR4? Been running PR4 since my 4000s wore out. Definitely a little cushier and better grip. Not sure about durability yet as I only have 800 miles or so on it.

hhnngg1

I just run Gatorskins for all training. Sure they don't handle as sharply, but the difference is minimal, and when you swap em out for race day, you feel faster and nimbler. Good stuff.

datlas 

I am told the PR4 has better durability than the PR3 but that's just word on the street, I have not personally tried them.

I stocked up on the Conti GP4000s last year when they were $30 each, so I have plenty to last another year or two. Why mess with success??

Tom Pedale

I've run Conti 4000's for years. Almost no flats & I've never had to retire a tire early due to a tread or sidewall cut. I have not experienced any grip or skidding problems, then again I'm not the most aggressive cornering. Skidding? Can remember doing it once in last 6 years. You might try a 700x25 on rear and 700x23 front. Rolling resistance is actually lower on 25's and you'll have the benefit of better handling and comfort.