Conti GP4000s II 25mm- first ride impressions
07-28-14, 11:50 AM
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Conti GP4000s II 25mm- first ride impressions
Let me say up front my basis for comparison is quite limited, having only run the stock Specialized tires on this particular bike (2014 Roubaix Expert).
I ran the rear Spesh tire down to the cords before swapping both stock tires to the Conti's. I was generally happy with the Specialized tires, which are comparatively expensive tires FWIW. I only got two flats in their run, both rear, and the second looked like it happened when a tiny pebble entered the cut resulting from the first... at any rate they seem like good tires.
Anyway, a buddy and I rode a hilly 40 yesterday and it was the first ride on the new tires. Within the first hundred yards I was thinking they felt a bit smoother-running than the Spesh tires. That impression continued through the ride. I was running the at 100 front/ 105 rear, which is my normal psi, and they just felt a bit more buttery.
Can't say I really noticed much else on the ensuing highway death dash (to get to the ride proper) or the first climb. However- on the first descent I instantly noticed that they felt tangibly "grippier". Not that the Spesh tires ever failed to grip, but the Conti's really felt glued to the road on the fast descending corners. Very confidence-inspiring.
So that's about it at this point. Can't speak yet to durability or flat resistance. Liking the ride quality and grip.
Does this align with others' impressions of the tire?
I ran the rear Spesh tire down to the cords before swapping both stock tires to the Conti's. I was generally happy with the Specialized tires, which are comparatively expensive tires FWIW. I only got two flats in their run, both rear, and the second looked like it happened when a tiny pebble entered the cut resulting from the first... at any rate they seem like good tires.
Anyway, a buddy and I rode a hilly 40 yesterday and it was the first ride on the new tires. Within the first hundred yards I was thinking they felt a bit smoother-running than the Spesh tires. That impression continued through the ride. I was running the at 100 front/ 105 rear, which is my normal psi, and they just felt a bit more buttery.
Can't say I really noticed much else on the ensuing highway death dash (to get to the ride proper) or the first climb. However- on the first descent I instantly noticed that they felt tangibly "grippier". Not that the Spesh tires ever failed to grip, but the Conti's really felt glued to the road on the fast descending corners. Very confidence-inspiring.
So that's about it at this point. Can't speak yet to durability or flat resistance. Liking the ride quality and grip.
Does this align with others' impressions of the tire?
07-28-14, 11:54 AM
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I like the GP 4000, but the sidewalls are not terribly robust.
I switched to the GP 4 Season 25's. Very similar ride feel, more sidewall protection.
I switched to the GP 4 Season 25's. Very similar ride feel, more sidewall protection.
07-28-14, 12:16 PM
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You should be able to run lower pressures with 25s. What size were the Spesh?
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07-28-14, 12:31 PM
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Comparing a new tire to a worn out tire is always misleading. More rubber on the new tire will give it more grip and a softer ride.
07-29-14, 12:15 AM
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The Specialized Roubaix Pro tires on the Expert are pretty decent tires. I've ridden both and don't think there's much difference in ride quality between the two. But I would bet the GP4000S (II) is at least a 2-3w better in rolling resistance. I've been really impressed with the GP4000S tires for longevity and puncture resistance. My rear GP4000S has almost 6500 miles on it and the wear dots haven't completely worn flush yet.
