Continental GP4Season and GP4000SII

[Banana Boy]

I'm about to push the button on a load of upgrades in preparation for the Tour of Cambridgeshire in June (but only 15 weeks away!)

This will include a new set of tyres to go with a new set of wheels, based on comments here and product reviews I've decided that I'm having a set of continental GP4000SIIs for the summer and intend to run the 4Seasons in the winter etc as my bike is also used for the daily commute.

Really with spring springing in the next few weeks I'd rather buy only the 4000SIIs now and save up for the 4Seasons later in the year. What I really want to know is:

What kind of mileage are people seeing from the Conti's?
What is the wet weather performance of the 4000SIIs like?
How capable are the 4Season in the winter? I commute all year round.

For reference, I'm coming from Schwalbe Marathons on a 700x35c to 700x25c on the Conti's. I may do about 750-1000 miles before June depending on available training time etc. My bike is also a little heavy on the road with Paniers etc. (Real world actual weight was 18.5kgs last week!) although part of my upgrades include weight saving parts, I've greatly reduced the unnecessary crap I was carrying and I'm currently losing weight - I started this process at 92.1kgs, I'm down to 80.8 and on track to hit 70kgs in June!

[SoliD]

Banana Boy said:

What kind of mileage are people seeing from the Conti's?
What is the wet weather performance of the 4000SIIs like?
How capable are the 4Season in the winter? I commute all year round.

Had my GP4000s for a fair few miles, not sure exact amount but you should easily get 3-4k miles out of them if my wear is anything to go by.

I used them last winter just fine, they're surprisingly grippy!

Absolutely fine, I much prefer having the 4 season under me than some harded gator etc as the comfort and predictably far outweighs the additional weight and puncture protection. Not had any problems with punctures and I would be hpapy to use either tyre all year round. Just keep on top of any little stones etc that may get stuck.

[nammynake]

Also note that 25mm GP4000s are pretty wide, probably more like 27-28mm. The 25mm 4 Seasons are more like a true 25mm.

[Steve vRS]

I've just changed my GP4000s after 5000ish miles. They have life in them but were rather flat around the middle!

Steve

[Daveyraveygravey]

Similar for me, 5k miles on my 4000s's, probably should change them a bit earlier really. Not sure why anyone buys Gator skins, they seem a lot worse than 4000s's to me.

[Dr Imran T]

nammynake said:

Also note that 25mm GP4000s are pretty wide, probably more like 27-28mm. The 25mm 4 Seasons are more like a true 25mm.

You make a valid point. My 25c GP4000s are wider than my other wheelset's 25c tyres.

[SixPotBelly]

Banana Boy said:

I'm coming from Schwalbe Marathons on a 700x35c to 700x25c on the Conti's.

Just a thought, but have you thought about getting the Contis in 28mm? Your frame can obviously takes them, and there's a school of thought that they're actually faster than 25mm. Less rolling resistance (according to Conti) and not the weight penalty you'd imagine. Don't know if it's true, just offering it up as food for thought.

I've had some 28mm 4000 SIIs on backorder since Christmas, but that's because I ticked the reflex option (thinking why not). The standard sidewall 28s are back in stock now at the usual places.

[Banana Boy]

SixPotBelly said:

Banana Boy said:

I'm coming from Schwalbe Marathons on a 700x35c to 700x25c on the Conti's.

Just a thought, but have you thought about getting the Contis in 28mm? Your frame can obviously takes them, and there's a school of thought that they're actually faster than 25mm. Less rolling resistance (according to Conti) and not the weight penalty you'd imagine. Don't know if it's true, just offering it up as food for thought.

I've had some 28mm 4000 SIIs on backorder since Christmas, but that's because I ticked the reflex option (thinking why not). The standard sidewall 28s are back in stock now at the usual places.

Tbh I was looking at 25s because I understood that current thinking is that they're faster than 23s!

There's some good points and experiences here though, I think I'll defo be going the 4000SIIs for now and see how far into the winter I get? Peterborough doesn't really see much in the way of extreme weather so it'll probably be worth a punt!

[Usget]

SixPotBelly said:

Banana Boy said:

I'm coming from Schwalbe Marathons on a 700x35c to 700x25c on the Conti's.

Just a thought, but have you thought about getting the Contis in 28mm? Your frame can obviously takes them, and there's a school of thought that they're actually faster than 25mm. Less rolling resistance (according to Conti) and not the weight penalty you'd imagine. Don't know if it's true, just offering it up as food for thought.

I've had some 28mm 4000 SIIs on backorder since Christmas, but that's because I ticked the reflex option (thinking why not). The standard sidewall 28s are back in stock now at the usual places.

I run 28c 4 Seasons on my commuting bike. They're excellent. Fast, comfortable and confidence-inspiring. I've had 1x P*****re in about 2k so far. but that was a big bit of gravel that got lodged in one of them - would have written off a lesser tyre but I changed the tube and have used the tyre for a whole winter since.

[Dammit]

[Dammit]

^That's a 28c GP 4-Season on an ENVE XC 29er rim, bit of a bugger to get on but a great match of width and rim.

[Gruffy]

Another fan of the GP4000 25s here. Just swapped mine after 5,500km as they were a bit shredded (crappy roads). Great rolling resistance and seem grippy in all conditions.

[rhinochopig]

Superb tyres but they are big in 25. So big they foul the down tube on my frame, so make sure you have enough clearance.

[Gruffy]

They were too big for my brakes too. Had to deflate the tyre to pop the wheel. Rear Crud mudguard wouldn't fit either. I'd still have them again though.

[SixPotBelly]

rhinochopig said:

Superb tyres but they are big in 25. So big they foul the down tube on my frame, so make sure you have enough clearance.

OP's downsizing from 35c. The SII 25s might be big but they can't be that big that they won't fit his frame!