Continental Grand Prix 4000

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Purchased these tires as I wanted fast rolling tires with some degree of puncture protection.

Got a flat on the first ride using these tires! Also got a couple more flats recently.
Rear tire has a small cut which is almost right through the tire wall. So this tire has been scrapped as tire is possibly no longer safe to ride on.

Very disappointed that the tire(s) only lasted for about half a dozen rides on roads. However, much of the roads are chip sealed (hard on tires), and have some (but not a lot of) debris around here.

These tires are recommended for use on smooth and debris free roads. But are not recommended for use on rough and/or debris littered roads.

I won't be purchasing these tires again, as they are not suitable for use here.

Strengths:
Quick rolling. Smooth riding.

Weaknesses:
Not cut and puncture resistant enough. A bit on the expensive side at time of purchase.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Armadillo, Continental Ultra Gatorskin

Price Paid:  $4395.00 at BikeTiresDirect

Favorite Ride:
Local Roads and Trails

Bike Setup:
Specialized Roubaix Expert Compact (Ultegra SL), Dura-Ace wheelset, Flight Deck and Cateye V3.

Summary:
Review is for 4000's with Black Chili Compound technology. Great tires. They roll really well and seem to have improved my bike's handling. I put them on for a century ride on rough asphalt last weekend. They definitely rolled better than the Specialized Pro's they replaced. They feel so solid that they've given me greater confidence at higher downhill speeds, and so far seem extremely durable. They were difficult to get on the rims as other reviewers have reported, but my Crank Brothers Speed Lever Tire Lever made it a much easier task. I'm not sure I would have got them on without the Speed Lever. Once on they looked great.

Strengths:
Low rolling resistance. Puncture resistance.

Weaknesses:
Difficult to mount on rims - a tight fit for sure.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Pro, Specialized All Condition Sport with Flak Jacket, Continental Grand Prix 4-Season

Price Paid:  $60.00 at BTD

Favorite Ride:
Saturday morining

Bike Setup:
Ridley Damocles with Ultegra & Neuvation M28sl.

Summary:
Cut side wall in less than 3 weeks. Pinch flat (my fault for low air) in less than 3 weeks. Overall, a weak expensive tire that I won't buy again.

Strengths:
Look nice & ride nice.

Weaknesses:
Weak side wall. Expensive.

Similar Products Used:
Too many to mention.

Price Paid:  $45.00 at bikeisland.com

Favorite Ride:
Pelican Point

Bike Setup:
Scott CR1 with Full Campy Record and Fulcrum Race 1 wheels

Summary:
I have gone through 3 sets of the Continental 4000 tires in 12,000 miles and I have only had two flats! The tire is ultra light, 205 grams. It also corners very well in crit racing. The only other tire I would consider is the Michelin Pro Race 3’s, although they corner equally or better than the 4000’s they don’t last as long, and may not be a puncture resistant. Only down side to these tires is that they aren’t the cheapest, but then again your buying the top of the line tire, at top of the line prices.

Strengths:
Light, Corners well, super puncture resistant

Weaknesses:
Not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for.

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Pedal Power

Bike Setup:
Lemond Zurich 853 steel, Ultegra 10, Bontrager Race Lite wheels.

Summary:
I've been using these tires since May of last year. I replaced the rear after 3000 miles and the front is just now ready to be replaced at 4000 miles (cuts are starting to appear in the casing). I use Conti tubes and in that time I've only had one flat (my own fault- I slammed a pothole and pinched the tube). When changing tubes I was able to get the tire back on the rim without tools. They roll fast on smooth roads and hold up to the rough chip-sealed roads we have around here. I don't really ride in the rain, so I can't comment on their performance there.

Strengths:
Durability, flat resistance, long life.

Weaknesses:
Expensive.

Similar Products Used:
IRC Red Storm, various older Contis. Vittoria Rubino