Bike Gremlin

I've done research, read previous posts. It seems that 4 seasons have a bit more "rolling resistance", but don't collect debris that ends up puncturing them. How much rolling resistance is that really?

Now I ride Specialized All Condition Elite tyres. Pretty hard tyres (rough ride), but bombproof. No glass/rocks stick or dig into them. Are 4 seasons similar tyres (if anyone's tried both)?

I'm considering gp4000 OR 4 seasons as my next pair of tyres. Will be buying this winter on clearance discount price.

ColinL

I have ridden both in 25mm. The 4 Season has slightly better wet grip but both of them lose some of that as the tire ages and wears. The ride quality at weight-appropriate pressure is similar and compares favorably to most tires. They absorb chipseal fairly well.

The 4 Season seems to be slightly more cut resistant but *both* tires have gone thousands of miles with only minor nicks, and zero wounds that go all the way through the tire casing. Before I mounted my first set of GP4000S earlier this year, I had to retire 3 Vittoria Diamante series tires to trainer-only use and one of them was totally destroyed (4 tires total) due to severe cuts.

Actually the 4 Season was also used in the worst conditions, during the winter and early spring when a lot of gravel is tossed on the road due to icy conditions. The odd gravel particle can be sharp, but more critically, it impairs your ability to see real hazards like glass and nails. Still no problems for the 4 Season. The combination of ride quality and toughness is unlike any tire I've ridden.

Now, the bad. The 4 Season feels sluggish cornering and slow rolling. I have not done back-to-back rolling tests down a hill. It just *feels* like riding on a really underinflated, slow tire when you have proper pressure in them. The GP4000S doesn't have this issue at all. It feels quick and nimble.

ColinL

Oh. I've also ridden the Specialized All Condition a little bit. They came stock on my dad's Secteur. I'm not sure if it's the exact model you have but the ones I rode were fairly harsh and had low grip. They might be low volume or something because the sidewall indicates very high pressure -- 115 to 125 IIRC. Contrast this to the 25mm Michelin Pro4 Endurance on my wife's bike right now-- 73 to 109 psi. To me, such a difference in recommended pressure indicates they have different internal volume.

Bacciagalupe

I can only offer a subjective analysis. The GP 4 Seasons (28c) are a bit slower and more comfortable than the GP 4000's (24's and 25's), when run at 100psi.

I've used the older All Condition Elites (which I believe are now called "Espoir"), the GP 4000s 24mm, the Specialized Roubaix 25mm. Flat resistance, performance, ride feel is about the same for all of these tires.

Carbon Unit

I agree with this. I started with a pair of 4 Seasons and used them for about 2500 to 3000 miles. They have great side wall protection. Then, I switched to GP4000s. The 4000s felt much quicker and seem to take less effort to make them move and are less sluggish than the 4 Seasons. I don't really ride in wet conditions so I can't speak to this. I like the GP4000s much much better and even though they are not as durable, I will stick with them. I am on my third of forth set of GP4000s.

banerjek

I've ridden both -- they're both decent tires. On surfaces where there is debris or muck, I prefer the 4 Seasons. Cut protection seems better on the 4 Seasons. Wet traction for both of them is miserable, particularly the 4000s after it's worn a bit. Durability for both is decent. 4 Seasons may have a slight edge there.

If I were going to ride only one tire ever, I'd go with the 4000s. If I were looking for a slop weather tire, 4 Seasons is a better choice.

johnny99

In my experience, the 4 seasons has significantly better puncture resistance. I can usually run the rubber all the way down to the cords with no flats. The 4000 has decent puncture resistance, but I always get at least a couple of flats before the tire wears out. On the other hand, the 4000 does give you a more supple, sportier ride, if you like hitting the corners hard. Sometimes I run a 4000 on the front (to improve handling) and a 4 seasons on the rear (where flats are more of a problem).

Bike Gremlin

Thanks for the info. I ride road bike for fun - in sunny days. Have another hybrid/29er for bad days, full fenders, Marathon tyres etc.

So I'll probably go for 4000 s. See how fast they corner - aaaaaaaa!!