tdfbound

I've ridden the GP4000s for most of my 12 years of riding, with close to 70,000 miles covered on various sets of these tires. I have only had a half dozen or so cuts or punctures with these. I run a fairly typical wheel, and my tire pressure between 95 and 110 depending on what I'm doing that day. Obviously the lower pressures would be for more curvy rides, and the higher pressures for more flat rides. I must say, though, that these tires did teach me the value of carrying cash on long rides. I had to fold a $20 bill up to act as a tire boot once when I got a 1" long cut in my sidewall from a piece of sheet metal.

All that being said, I'm currently riding Specialized Espoir Elite 700x25 tires for logging training miles- I've been off the bike for a long time.

2000Para853red

4
They are different....I think they quit manufacturing the Krylion in 2008 or 09. The Pro 4 Endurance is suppose to be the replacement or comparable yet improved tire for the Krylion (an endurance tire). I just lumped them in together since I was talking about the Pro 4's and he replied with how much he liked the Krylion. Did not want to split hairs since they did replace it with a version of the Pro 4 and I knew what he meant. Was not my intent to confuse you.....sorry about that.

chaadster

Thanks for the clarification. I'm not so familiar with the model range and evolution that I would have understood that.

Dunbar

Compared to the GP4000S those tires have horrible rolling resistance IME. They came stock on my Roubaix SL2 and I couldn't remove them quick enough.

bt

any tire that "comes stock" on anything is crapola.

2000Para853red

You're welcome.

surgeonstone

I like them, that means you're wrong

aubiecat

I love them. More Black Chili please.

Garfield Cat

There's the new 4000-S II. Other than the thin layer of thermoplastic yarn, any difference between its predecessor 4000-S?

Competitive Cyclists says:

[Like the outgoing GP4000 S, Continental's Grand Prix 4000 S II Clincher Tire continues to use Black Chili, but now has Vectran technology to boost puncture protection. Vectran is a multi-fibered thermoplastic yarn that is made from a liquid crystal polymer.]

Nebby10

There's no difference in the tire itself; Slowtwitch had an article that checked it out. All that's new is that the S II has lots of color options and two new sizes (650x23 and 700x28).

Personally, I can't wait till the 700x28 version is available. While the 4 Seasons version is nice, I really do like the GP4000S. Having said that I'm currently running 25mm Pro4's and they run wide, so much so that on a wide rim they measure 27mm and change.

lechat

Agree they're a bit harsh riding compared to say a Vittoria Corsa, but a good compromise for durability and wet weather traction.

raqball

I bought a pair of Continental GP 4000S II because I wanted to try them out. I generally run Armadillo Elite tires but wanted a lighter tire..

Put them on Sunday morning before my ride.

Sunday (day 1) Goathead in front tire sidewall at mile 17 = flat tire
Monday (day 2) Flat on the rear tire at mile 26 and it was not a pinch. I did run over some very light glass but it's never been an issue with the Armadillos and in my opinion should not have punctured the tube. No glass stuck in the rear tire so I am not real sure on this flat.

I've removed them and mounted my Armadillos back on..

Was I unlucky both days or are these tires absolute junk? I've read good things about the original GP's but these don't appear to be all that great.

chaadster

You're both unlucky and unfair. The tires certainly aren't junk. Flats happen, particularly if you ride a race tire in goathead territory and through broken glass.

raqball

Unfair?

I thought these were touted as having excellent flat protection? As said, my Armadillos handle my riding just fine but they are a bit on the heavy side..

wallrat

I think you need to do a blind ride test. Have a friend swap out a setup of tires on your bike. Ride around blindfolded on those tires for an hour or 20 miles, whatever is shorter. Have your friend swap out for another set of tires. Ride around blindfolded on that set. Rinse and repeat until you find your favorite tire. I bet you $100 that the conti's will come up on top.

StanSeven

Excellent flat protection for training/race tires. If your regular tires are Armadillos and you ride in goatheads and broken glass frequently, that's not GP4000 or similar type tire conditions

redlude97

Exactly. I don't know where people get this idea that this is some magical tire that is light, sticky, and indestructible. If it was, continental would have no market for the gatorskin or the gatorskin hardshell.

SundayNiagara

Post of the day!

MikeEckhaus

I think it doesn't matter what tires are on the bike. If you ride around blindfolded, the tires will always wind up on top, and you will always wind up on the bottom - and in pain.

aubiecat

So what we have learned here is............
If you chose to ride in apocalyptic aftermath conditions; Armadillos are for you.
GP 4000S II for everybody else.

raqball

Typical drama laden BF bait post...

I said a ran over glass. You assume this was a debris field, it was not. I said a goat head stuck in the sidewall.. Certainly not apocalyptic conditions..

I would not recommend the GP's to anyone.. If you actually knew the conditions that caused the flats you'd be rolling your eyes and directing the drama at the tires and not me..

At any rate, so sorry I offended the GP fanatics.. I know that I won't ever buy them again..

aubiecat

No drama. Just a joke at your expense.
As for GP fanatics; the Continental track record speaks for itself. Too bad all that bad karma you've been banking got unloaded on a good set of tires.
I am glad you went back to your other tires that can withstand your running over goat heads and broken glass.

raqball

I am happy with the Armadillos and they do in fact have above average flat protection. They are heavy but it takes a lot to flat them.

I am well aware of the GP 4000's reputation, which is why I purchased them. Most rave about them, some hate them. I am now firmly in the hate them camp.

I ordered them based on the people who rave about them. Many of these GP raves have commented about the great flat protection of the tire.. Since I will never use them again, I can't comment on their longevity but to say they have flat protection is kind of laughable.

The glass that I ran over was what you typically see on every road across the planet earth. You know, the you can't see it in the road but you can see it sparkle as the sunlight hits it kind of glass? Ya, thats the mega debris field that I went over. I am not positive that's what even caused the 2nd flat because there was no glass embedded into the tire.

At any rate, those of you who the like GP's, pedal on and those who hate the GP can also pedal on, just with a different tire!

Lazyass

Krylions are now $29.99. I just bought and mounted a set last week. After about 200 miles I have to say it's the best, smoothest clincher tire I have ever ridden.

Michelin Krylion Carbon Road Tire - Performance Sales Exclusions

*edit* I just read the manufacture date on my tires and it was the last week in March of this year (1214). They must have been reissued for Performance, I don't see them sold anywhere else.

halfspeed

Like everything else in the world, there are tradeoffs. The GP4000s have good flat protection for lightweight tires with a reasonably good ride. This is not acceptable for people who see each flat as a catastrophe and are willing to give up other virtues in favor of prevention.

I ride four to six thousand miles a year on tires that are even lighter and, IMO, ride better than GPs and am fine with three to four flats per year on them.