Continental Ultra Gatorskins have become the benchmark against which I measure tires. Excellent wear and puncture resistance, very good ride, especially at lower PSI (I run 80F, 90R), no pinch flats at lower PSI, roll well, very good dry handling, reasonably good wet handling, fairly lightweight too, for a wire bead. The 28s just started coming in a lighter, folding bead.

I bought a bike recently that came with 28mm Specialized Armadillo All Conditions. I didn't care for them at all. Very heavy tire, rode like a dump truck, and really skittish in the wet. Aesthetically, I don't like the maroon sidewall. I didn't put enough miles on them to assess rolling or puncture resistance, although they have a sterling reputation for puncture resistance. Sold them to a friend who will run nothing else on his commuter. I couldn't get rid of them fast enough, and he couldn't wait to get a hold of them. Go figure.

My primary bike came with Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase in 28mm. Puncture resistance was excellent, ride at low PSI was very good, especially on the pavé, no pinch flats, dry grip was very good, wet grip reasonably good, rolling resistance was excellent too. Downsides: I couldn't get more than 3,000 miles on a rear tire before the center tread strip would begin to peel off. Aesthetically I don't like the two-tone black and gray color, and I wonder if the dual compound contributes to the center tread strip peeling off. A bit heavy, but not unreasonably so.

This year I'm trying Continental Grand Prix 4-Seasons on two of my bikes--the one that had the Bontragers and the other that came with the Armadillos. I have only one month and 250 miles on them, so this is very preliminary. They seem to roll at least as well as the Gatorskins. Wet grip is absolutely, unbelievably awesome. Dry grip is excellent. They seem to give a better ride than all other tires I've used, even on the pavé. Their lighter weight is noticeable in both climbing and sprinting away from stoplights. They spin up easily and roll well. Between the grip, ride and sprinting, I feel like I'm in the pro peloton going to work, and I'm learning what it's like to not have to slow down in the rain. Wear and puncture resistance remain to be seen. From other riders I understand they don't wear quite as long as the Gatorskins. I'm willing to trade some miles for the extra grip, but not everyone is.

Meanwhile, my bike with the Gatorskins rolls on and on.