Too good to be true?
 

Many reputable online retailers, and my local bike shop in the USA sell the Continental Grand Prix 5000 25c tires for about $70 USD each (Although I've seen some on sale today for about $50). However, when I look at Amazon I see them for about $35 each, or a pair for $70. I am wondering if maybe these cheaply priced tires could be counterfeit? The guy at my LBS says 70 a pair is less that his wholesale price, and I also noticed a lot of negative reviews on Amazon for those tires (indicating tire blowouts and failures) for the cheaply priced versions of this tire. These factors seem to confirm that they could be counterfeits? Can anyone provide a legitimate reason why this tire could sell for $70 a pair vs. $70 a tire . . . or can anyone confirm that the cheap tires are legit or frauds? I am wondering what the deal is because $35 seems too good to be true. Thanks.

Nope, I've bought many a tyre for < $35. Usually from a UK seller, though. I can't speak about what's on Amazon.

That's what I paid for mine.

This may be the first thread with this title where the reaction is "no, it's actually possible".

"We're losing money on every unit we sell!"

"Don't worry! We'll make it up in VOLUME!!!!"

I got a pair of 5000 TL for 80 from Excel back at the end of March

If it is counterfeit then mine are the best I have had as I bought mine months ago from Amazon but paid nearly $100 for the pair.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the replies. I guess they're legit.

Global markets have different prices, maybe.

Are these cheap ones the ones prone to sidewall cuts?

:popcorn

People only ***** about the expensive ones getting cut, so I have to think that the cheap ones are a-okay.

I pay 70US$ for a tyre then I definitely expect it to be ok when I run over that broken bottle.

Which seller online?

I bought a pair for $55 a few months back. When the box arrived, there was only one tire. After multiple emails to customer service, with no responses, I had to return the single tire and claw back a refund from Amazon. Long story short: you're probably fine as long as the seller isn't Outland USA.

I have been buying $75 pairs for 15 years now online

never had any problem

Then you're buying the wrong tires. Avoid the debris and GP5000s are fine (and 4000s for that matter). They're not Gatorskins. :thumb: