Pro Race 4 - Talk to me

[S10GTA]

My GP4000's on the nice bike are worn out, and I feel like trying something else.

I can go one of two ways. I have just fitted a new set of GP4000's to the single speed but I can move these to the nice bike and get something a bit more middle of the road for the single speed... or I can leave them where they are and get some Pro Race 4 or something equally as good for the nice bike.

Your thoughts?

[GarryDK]

I have pro 4s and ride very similar roads to you and I am constantly replacing inner tubes. I’m about to change mine to what you have! Stick with what you have already, if you’re not getting a puncture every week from glass!!

Edited by GarryDK on Tuesday 1st April 15:10

[Viperzs]

I had Pro 4s on previously and they were good. Some stupid pricing at the moment as well.

I've just swapped mine out for some Panaracer Race A though after the Pro 4 had a tasty cut in it. They lasted a good year though, although I don't do 1,000s of miles.

[Neil G60]

Are you looking to use them in summer only? Do you ride in cities where there's more broken glass etc on the roads or mainly on quieter rural roads? Do you mind how long they last?

Personally I've never actually had to replace a road bike tyre due to actual wear, only ever because the tread gets sliced up and I'm scared of a high speed blow out

Edited by Neil G60 on Tuesday 1st April 15:14

[lynus2004]

Use them on my race bike, I find them grippy in the wet and dry and they don't seem to be that prone to punctures. Max recommended PSI is lower than I tend to run my tyres though (think it's about 115).

That said when I see a cheap pro 3 deal I get those as I can't tell any difference.

[Viperzs]

The Pro 4 are definitely better than the Pro 3. Michelin say it themselves. It's a better compound that offers more grip and cuts less.

[Neil G60]

I picked up a set of these after my Vittoria Rubino Pro literally exploded:

http://road.cc/content/review/88599-hutchinson-fus...

I only got them because they were on a 241 at Evans which was the only shop open on Sunday at 4pm but they're so smooth even at high pressures and weigh less than 200g

[outnumbered]

I had 25mm Pro Race 4s last year, and swapped to 23mm this year as there was almost no clearance under the fork crown with the 25mm tyres and bits of grit were always getting stuck in there.

I far preferred the ride on the 25mm version, the 23mm seem to come up quite a lot narrower than the 2mm difference would suggest - and I got a sodding pinch flat as well first time out, even though they were inflated to 100psi.

So I'd definitely recommend the 25mm version, less sure about the 23mm so far.

[anonymous-user]

Viperzs said:

The Pro 4 are definitely better than the Pro 3. Michelin say it themselves. It's a better compound that offers more grip and cuts less.

shock horror! manufacturer claims new model is better than model it replaces...

I like Pro3s, grip seems higher than GP4000s and they really hold their line through the corners. Mine have been on the bike for over a year and have a few small cuts in them but then I have been using them in some terrible conditions and down country lanes strewn with hedge trimmings etc. At £22 each I think Pro4s are a bargain of the decade and I have a pair of pro4s in a box ready to fit come the summer but I'm not expecting to experience much difference between them.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 1st April 20:15

[mcelliott]

Last year I stupidly swapped my conti GP 4000S's for a set of Michelin Pro 4s - big mistake. Hated them. They seem to be made from a very soft compound and felt big and swishy on the road. Went out and bought a brand new set of GP 4000Ss almost straight away and I've done everything from super quick chain gangs, crit racing and alpine rides on them. Absolutely faultless. I also stock a pair of continental Grand Prix Attacks on my race bike - they're basically a suped-up version of the GP 4000S - I absolutely love them.

[matt-ITR]

I'd consider a set of Schwalbe Ultremo's as well. Or if you want durability, then Schwalbe Durano.

[mcelliott]

matt-ITR said:

I'd consider a set of Schwalbe Ultremo's as well. Or if you want durability, then Schwalbe Durano.

I can't comment on the Durano but the Ultremos I would avoid like the plague. Just about the worst tyre money can buy. It will literally unravel before your very eyes, coupled together with zero puncture resistance. Avoid.

[matt-ITR]

mcelliott said:

I can't comment on the Durano but the Ultremos I would avoid like the plague. Just about the worst tyre money can buy. It will literally unravel before your very eyes, coupled together with zero puncture resistance. Avoid.

Absolutely not my experience.
I have never punctured, with over 10,000km on them. I would avoid the SLX version and go for the DD, which has a good level of puncture protection.

[mcelliott]

matt-ITR said:

mcelliott said:

I can't comment on the Durano but the Ultremos I would avoid like the plague. Just about the worst tyre money can buy. It will literally unravel before your very eyes, coupled together with zero puncture resistance. Avoid.

Absolutely not my experience.
I have never punctured, with over 10,000km on them. I would avoid the SLX version and go for the DD, which has a good level of puncture protection.

Oh that's fair enough - different strokes for different folks I guess. But my LBS has now stopped selling them due to their unreliability, and I've had really bad experiences with the four tyres that I've bought.

Edited by mcelliott on Tuesday 1st April 21:32

[S10GTA]

Got some duranos this morning for the winter hack. Mega impressed with them so far (30 miles)

I'm tempted to get another set for single speed and use the new 4000s on the nice bike.

[JEA1K]

I have little experience with different brands but I ran GP4000s last year after being recommended to me and can't say I was overly impressed. I think I ended up buying 5 or 6 tyres and must have had 15 or so punctures (maybe 4,500 ish miles), although where I ride there tends to be a decent level of flint on the roads.

I'm running Gatorskins on the winter bike and the new Madone has the standard Bontrager R3's on so I'm interested to try something new ...

[anonymous-user]

I have GP4000's at the moment but it looks like they need replacing as the front has a bad cut and they're both are a bit worn out. They coped well really, more durable than the Evo Corsa CX but not as nice on the road. I loved the Ultremo's (DD) but they fell to pieces.





Best turn in feel of any of the tyres IMO but the sidewalls were a problem. They did a few miles though and were good in all conditions. Might try the PR4 next and see how they go, especially as they do a 25.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I run Fortezza TriComps on my best bike, never had a puncture in 1000s of miles touch wood, thought I would last week when i rode over some glass and thorns but were OK. Great tyre, feels really sold and grips the road well. Bugger to fit on the rims when new, fine to refit once worn a bit.

[okgo]

Slower and less aero than GP4000S - stick with conti.

[okgo]

mcelliott said:

I can't comment on the Durano but the Ultremos I would avoid like the plague. Just about the worst tyre money can buy. It will literally unravel before your very eyes, coupled together with zero puncture resistance. Avoid.

Agree, every one I've had has done this (5 in total I think), awful sidewalls.