What's Up with Conti Tires Blowing Sidewalls?
07-15-21, 09:40 PM
#26
Clark W. Griswold
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I have some Conti tires that are 5 years old now and still fine (though getting near the end of life but just age and wear not blowing up. People seem to have problems with certain tires that I don't think are common you may hear about them because those with issues tend to be more vocal then the mass of us quieter folks who run them just fine with no issues or at least not issues as a result of the tire (I did get a piece of glass in one during a rainstorm but I could hardly blame that on Conti.
07-15-21, 10:44 PM
#27
Senior Member
Looks like in the first picture, the tyre is mounted on a (super) wide rim. That Will expose the side wall more to road debris compared to a narrower rim tucking in the side wall behind the thread.
07-16-21, 02:36 AM
#29
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Yep, although the GP has been my favourite tyre since the 90s, part of the reason has the flipside of sidewall vulnerability. If you want a fast and grippy tyre, it's gotta be supple.
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07-16-21, 05:02 AM
#30
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Check for resin flashing at the rim bead.....or adjust your brake pads to address photo 2. Photo 1 is the price of riding over junk on supple, fast tires.
https://www.velonews.com/gear/techni...-the-pyrenees/
https://www.velonews.com/gear/techni...-the-pyrenees/
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07-16-21, 08:39 AM
#31
Senior Member
I have had no trouble on Continental 4000 Grand Prix Sii tires. However, was just reading tire reviews on Continental 5000 Grand Prix and Gator Skins, and there is recurring pattern of tires blowing sidewalls or beads, while still almost new. Not everybody, but not just one guy either.
The people say they have been riding for years without this happening.
What say you?
Faulty tires a certain percentage of the time?
Hit something they didn't know they hit?
Installed wrong?
There has to be a reason. Is there a best likely guess?
The people say they have been riding for years without this happening.
What say you?
Faulty tires a certain percentage of the time?
Hit something they didn't know they hit?
Installed wrong?
There has to be a reason. Is there a best likely guess?
I ride Kenda now, the one I have now is lighter than the GP4000 but it's lasted me a few years now and zero punctures. Kenda have full width protection, the entire sidewall. Love em, best part of Kenda, cheaper than Conti but a large margin.
07-16-21, 10:37 AM
#32
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Either that tire is made out of vibranium, or you don't ride much.
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07-16-21, 01:57 PM
#33
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How much is "much" or "not a lot"?
My current gravel/commuter tyres are on their second year. Not sure about mileage, but "a lot" :-) ( thick thread, tough compound)
My current gravel/commuter tyres are on their second year. Not sure about mileage, but "a lot" :-) ( thick thread, tough compound)
07-16-21, 02:19 PM
#34
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Originally Posted by zymphad;22143944I ride Kenda now, the [b
one I have now is lighter than the GP4000[/b] but it's lasted me a few years now and zero punctures. Kenda have full width protection, the entire sidewall. Love em, best part of Kenda, cheaper than Conti but a large margin.
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07-16-21, 07:52 PM
#35
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The GP's ride as nice as they do is because of the supple sidewalls. If debris is a problem you can't see then they are not for you. I understand there are even better riding tires out there but I suspect they my be just as vul. What I don't understand is riding a nice bike on crappy tires.
07-16-21, 09:28 PM
#36
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Had a sidewall blowout on my 5000 Tls with 500 miles on them. Saw glass sparkling on the shoulder ahead, and swung into the road to avoid it. About 60 seconds later - pssssssssssssst. Must have picked some of it up rather than just a random failure. The hole was so large I had to tube it.
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07-17-21, 10:40 AM
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Had a sidewall blowout on my 5000 Tls with 500 miles on them. Saw glass sparkling on the shoulder ahead, and swung into the road to avoid it. About 60 seconds later - pssssssssssssst. Must have picked some of it up rather than just a random failure. The hole was so large I had to tube it.
07-17-21, 09:28 PM
#38
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the hole was about 1/2” so I put a tube in the case and booted the hole. I have plugged smaller holes
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07-18-21, 08:48 AM
#39
Full Member
I had a side wall tear in my Conti 4-seasons last month. Assumed it was a sharp rock. Didn’t get a flat….just noticed the tube bulging out the hole when I was cleaning the bike. In hindsight, maybe a blowout?
Sewed the hole/tear and put a HD radial tire patch on the inside. Tire works fine now.
Sewed the hole/tear and put a HD radial tire patch on the inside. Tire works fine now.
07-21-21, 04:56 PM
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The one time I had a sidewall issue was with the Conti GP 4000 but I am pretty sure it was my fault. We know those sidewalls are paper thin. I was coming down a fast downhill and suddenly realize that the upcoming sharp turn was a decreasing radius and off-camber one...my scariest combo. So I lean the bike over even more and try to make it through without hitting the brakes. Well, I may have feathered it a bit since I feel the rear starting to slide (while really leaned over) and I thought I could still control it but then...BAM!! The tube blew through a hole in the sidewall about an inch long. Of course, I went down in a split second, it seemed. Then I rolled down the hillside but just for maybe 15 ft. I tried to blame it on the tire, but the tire was having none of it. I eventually patched it with a GU gel pack, got it to maybe 30 PSI which was all it would take without building through the hole again, sat on the toptube, and mostly coasted till the next town where I caught the bus all bloodied up. I saw slight abrasion/scrape marks around the hole so I knew it was user error. Watch those sidewalls...they are super thin and it was a good lesson for me. I still hate that turn and no more flying through it.
