Continental GP4000s
Discussion
well, to add to the email string (and please note that this is my experience only) I would not recommend continental gatorskins as a tyre. Bought a pair yesterday and 47 miles into a ride this morning the sidewall ripped ruining the tyre (note: this was on a smooth road as well). Not impressed at all.
nammynake said:
Looking to make some 'cheapish' upgrades to my Specialized Allez, and a lot of people recommend fitting some premium tyres. Current tyres are Specialized All Condition. So, do people think a pair of new tyres, such as the Conti GP4000s will make any detectable difference ?
They're a worthy upgrade 
Have run GP4000S' in both 23mm and currently 25mm. Both are phenomenally sticky. The 25mm does, as expected, give a nicer, faster-rolling ride, less harsh than the 23mm. They both feel a little "wooden" compared to the Vittoria Open Pave's I've just taken off, and do't roll quite as fast, but the better grip makes up for it.
Try Vittoria Open Corsa EVO KX Folding Tyre's I have these on my S works with Swiss DT deep carbon wheels and they feel fast.
These have been the bench mark for racing in both tubular and open tyre's for many years.
Just check on Vittoria's web site for weights of the tyre's are this makes a large difference, lighter=faster=more fragile in most cases.
Paul.
These have been the bench mark for racing in both tubular and open tyre's for many years.
Just check on Vittoria's web site for weights of the tyre's are this makes a large difference, lighter=faster=more fragile in most cases.
Paul.
nammynake said:
Looking to make some 'cheapish' upgrades to my Specialized Allez, and a lot of people recommend fitting some premium tyres. Current tyres are Specialized All Condition. So, do people think a pair of new tyres, such as the Conti GP4000s will make any detectable difference ?
I did something similar few weeks ago, albeit going from the original 3 year old Specialized Mondo tyres to a Schwalbe Stelvio Evo front tyre and Continental GP (not 4000) rear. I considered new wheels but the standard ones are adequate enough for my use, whereas changing both tyres was a bargainous £30 for the pair and a good investment.The ride is now much more compliant and less skittish, even with pressures 15-20psi higher than before. In case it matters to you, each tyre is ~230g, compared to the ~330g of the old ones. I get the impression rolling resistance and grip are also improved, but the difference is not so readily detectable.
That said, your current tyres are perhaps better than the junk I had, and the GP4000s more expensive, so the argument may not be as persuasive.
I'm just waiting for the last of the 'winter' weather to pass and I think I will be going for those. I'm currently running Vittoria Rubinos, pretty impressed with them but could definately do with a zippier tyre.
My only concern is that despite fantastic reviews on Wiggle quite a few posters say they have had sidewall issues with them, the downside of a lightweight tyre I guess.
My only concern is that despite fantastic reviews on Wiggle quite a few posters say they have had sidewall issues with them, the downside of a lightweight tyre I guess.
Jimbo. said:
They're a worthy upgrade
Have run GP4000S' in both 23mm and currently 25mm. Both are phenomenally sticky. The 25mm does, as expected, give a nicer, faster-rolling ride, less harsh than the 23mm. They both feel a little "wooden" compared to the Vittoria Open Pave's I've just taken off, and do't roll quite as fast, but the better grip makes up for it.
I found it to be the other way around when I went from Pave to GP's. Like I said earlier, tyres are a personal thing.Have run GP4000S' in both 23mm and currently 25mm. Both are phenomenally sticky. The 25mm does, as expected, give a nicer, faster-rolling ride, less harsh than the 23mm. They both feel a little "wooden" compared to the Vittoria Open Pave's I've just taken off, and do't roll quite as fast, but the better grip makes up for it.
castex said:
Michelin pro3 race are the fastest, 'specially in yellow.
Pro race's are more of a lightweight race clincher, not the sort of thing you'd use every day as a) they'll not last too long, and B) they'll puncture much easier due to their thinner, lighter constructionYou wouldn't want to use them for any serious racing, but a GP4000s is a fine training tyre and you'll get a fair few K's out of one before it needs replacing
graeme4130 said:
Pro race's are more of a lightweight race clincher, not the sort of thing you'd use every day as a) they'll not last too long, and B) they'll puncture much easier due to their thinner, lighter construction
You wouldn't want to use them for any serious racing, but a GP4000s is a fine training tyre and you'll get a fair few K's out of one before it needs replacing
Countless people use gp4000s for racing. It's a race tyre that is a great all rounder. They weigh a marginal amount more than the pro race and the rolling resistance has been tested before and I think it's negligible. And perhaps the 4000 was actually better. Can't remember now. You wouldn't want to use them for any serious racing, but a GP4000s is a fine training tyre and you'll get a fair few K's out of one before it needs replacing
If you want real lightweight clincher race tyres then veloflex are probably worth a look. But tubs are probably better all round bar the cost.
Can't speak for the GP4000's, but I replaced last summer's Schwalbe Ultremos with Conti GP 4Seasons for the winter, and would definitely recommend these. There are 3 very hard working bikes in the family, Uni student son commutes on a Giant Talon fitted with Conti Contact 'road-style' tyres, and after weekly punctures on cheap rubber, I switched the wife's step-thru commuter onto Conti Tour Ride. So far over autumn/winter there have been no punctures at all on these three bikes, and no sign of any premature tyre wear either. I have to temper this with the fact that I didn't really get on that well with a set of Ultra Gatorskins on my old road bike - some of the threads in the tyre wall were exposed outside of the rubber of the carcass, and some of them became ripped over time. They are still on the bike and function OK, although compared with the GP4Seasons, they are a bit unforgiving to ride on.
scooters said:
well, to add to the email string (and please note that this is my experience only) I would not recommend continental gatorskins as a tyre. Bought a pair yesterday and 47 miles into a ride this morning the sidewall ripped ruining the tyre (note: this was on a smooth road as well). Not impressed at all.
As a flipside to that, I've had two punctures on my Gatorskins in 3,000+ miles of commuting in London.Saddle bum said:
GP4000s are the canine's gonads.
But IMHO they are NOT a fast riding sportive tyre, they are for everyday use for the serious rider.
That's why you can never have too many sets of wheels...............
Let's hope so as I've just ordered a pair, £28ea from Parker But IMHO they are NOT a fast riding sportive tyre, they are for everyday use for the serious rider.
That's why you can never have too many sets of wheels...............
Although I decided to draw a line at ordering latex tubes as well.
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