jrickards

I searched for a comparison of these two tires but the word "continental" is too common a word so the search function won't give me any results.

I'm not a racer but I do have a nice "old" 2002 Look AL 384 (aluminum main triangle, carbon forks and stays) that I'm very happy with. I've been happy with the Vittoria Rubino Pro that are currently on the bike but they are likely going to need replacing before the end of this summer because I'm training for a charity ride in September (4 days, 640km=400mi=4 centuries) so I'll be putting on a fair bit of distance between now and then as well as on that ride. Being that I'm not a racer and am not specifically interested in the lightest of tires, I'm more interested in durability, puncture resistance and grip on potential wet roads.

I haven't really narrowed it to either the 4 Seasons or Grand Prix 4000 but I've been happy with Continental tires to date, on all my bikes, so these are high on my list for consideration (I hear that the Gator Skins are hard tires and somewhat uncomfortable so they're not in the running). I'm willing to consider others but you'll have to make a case for them.

Thanks for any opinions you might share.

HTupolev

GP4S is more optimized for those criteria, although GP4000SII is no slouch for wet grip.

Both tires weigh about the same. GP4000SII is just a suppler tire, a bit faster and smoother rolling.

bikebreak

Both are good.
The quick is the 4 Season run small, my 28mm were 26.5
The GP4000SII run big, especially on wide rims

shelbyfv

I didn't like the GP4S, rode like a Gatorskin and, as mentioned, sized small. I liked the GP4000SII but they seemed prone to cuts. I've settled on the GP GThttps://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/continental-grand-prix-gt-folding-tyre/#pid=8369. Rides pretty well and seems more durable than GP4000SII. Only comes in 25.

RushFan2112

IMHO they are both fantastic tires, in fact they are only two tires I currently use. I run GP4000SII March through November when it is dry. I put on GP4Season December through February when it is rainy season here and there is likely to be more debris on the road.

4 Seasons offer a bit more grip on a wet road and are a bit more puncture resistant. 4000SII are supple and are quite grippy, especially on a dry road.

Motolegs

Don't have experience with the Four Seasons, but thousands of miles on Gatorskins (tough, almost worry free, but comfort and speed challenged) and maybe a hundred on GP4000s. (Heavenly ride, very sticky, free rolling)

My thoughts based on experience are Continentals are really fine tires. The Four Seasons sounds like a good choice for you based on your opening post, even never having ridden them myself.

Danny01

When weather is nice, the GP4000 are awesome. However I like the handling of the 4seasons more betterer when it is wet and/or cold.

jordanair45

4 seasons for the rain. But Micheline pro 4 V2 endurance are a good tire and $26 each on CRC. Can also recommend schwable ones with V guard. I'd go with regular GPs between the 2 unless you do indeed need the 4 seasons better grip when cold /wet

redlude97

dont know how the wet handling is any different when the compound is the same. I find GP4000 excellent in the wet just like the gp4season. the only reason i run the 4 season on the commuter is the extra flat protection

HTupolev

GP4S doesn't use BlackChili.

redlude97

woops i guess they don't

Steve B.

I wouldn't know if one road tire rolled better then another, I just don't pay attention. I use multiple bikes, so often have different brands on different bikes, but they are usually a pair of 23's on the carbon, 28's on the steel and 32's on the commuter so cannot do apples to apples comparisons.

I have settled on the Conti GP4S in 25 & 28 for the carbon and steel bikes. They are very durable, having used multiple pairs of them for years now, I get +2000 miles typically and rarely get flats. That's all I really care about. They are stupid expensive at $75 ea sometimes, I typically wait till I find them at $35 or so, then buy a bunch.

FlashBazbo

I've ridden them both as well as Gatorskins and Gatorskin Hardshells. In my experience, there isn't a lot of difference between the GP 4 Season and the Gatorskin. Both are very puncture resistant. Both roll a little "heavy" to me.

GP 4000SII's seem to roll more freely. I'm not sure they're THAT much more prone to flats.

johnny99

4-Seasons uses a stiffer rubber that is much more cut-resistant than GP4000. 4-Seasons casing is also more puncture resistant than GP4000. In my experience, 4-Seasons tires about last twice as long as GP4000. GP4000 does give you a plusher ride for the same sized tires.

Psimet2001 

4 Seasons are what the triathletes run because someone told them many moons ago that if they did they wouldn't have to change a dreaded flat on their all important "race Day". It rides with the reaction quality of a dead cat in molasses.

The GP 4000 S II is a solid all around racing tire that performs well in most all conditions. Top end tire for sure....just reacts like a dead cat....not covered in molasses this time though.


In general both are really high quality tires that will serve the rider well. They just won't inspire the human spirit to create fine art after riding them.

Steve B.

And given that my speed is like a dead cat in molasses, I guess the GP4S is perfect for me !

HTupolev

How well a tire rolls should have a bigger relative impact for slower riders, since rolling resistance tends to be a great fraction of bike drag when you're moving slower.

trekmogul 

I found these ONSALE on AMAZON about 6 weeks ago for $29.00 and I bought 50 of them all at once time and tickled i did so..

SJP

I think both are excellent tyres. I use GP4000SII on my old Steel Pinarello and GP4S on the Rainy day Alu Bianchi 1885 and both feel fast and have excellent puncture resistance. I just changes tyres on both bikes after 6000+ kms....

trekmogul 

Competitive Cycle has GP4000 on sale for 48 hours @ 39.00 each..

gregf83 

You need help!

popeye

+1
The sidewalls that give the 4000S such a supple ride is also vulnerable to cuts. I rarely happens here but it does suck to ruin a low mileage tire.

SylvainG

Happened to me after just 1,000 km. Yeah, it does suck

trekmogul 

Heard that before...

MikeWMass

Ribble has GP4000S2 twinpack for $63.50, 4 Seasons for $35 for 28 mm and about $50 for 23 or 25 mm (each, no twinpack). Chain Reaction is a bit more.
I have had both, I must not be very sensitive but I can't really tell much difference. I have cut both, and have ridden through lots of debris on both without flatting. I am now going with the regular ones because they are cheaper, I think they look better, and have not had a lot of problems with them.