Continental Grand Prix 4 Season

Price Paid:  $45.00 at Total Cycling

Favorite Ride:
Keuka Lake

Bike Setup:
Raleigh Professional, Campagnolo Chorus, Mavic Ksyrium Elite

Summary:
I replaced my first pair tonight after over a year and 3,500 miles of use. The rear tire was a bit worn with a cut on the tread that failed to puncture the Vectran belts. I've ridden through glass and on miles of chip-sealed roads without a flat. Grip is exceptional, as is wear.

Ride is decent, but a bit harsh. The steel frame on my training bike mitigates this to an extent, but on my (admittedly stiff) carbon bike the tires amplified rough patches. Rolling resistance is higher then many tires; they aren't as plus at Vittoria Open Paves or as fast as Tricomps, but their puncture-resistance and longevity compensates for these drawbacks.

Strengths:
Puncture-resistance, resistance to wear and exceptional grip in a variety of conditions. Comfortable with the right setup.

Weaknesses:
Harsh ride with stiff frames and/or rims. Higher rolling resistance than many tires. Not the most attractive, but looks are inconsequential for a training tire.

Similar Products Used:
Vittoria Open Pave

Price Paid:  $25.00 at Ribble Cycles Ltd, U

Bike Setup:
Winter/rainy racer:
Saracen 7005 alu' frame, Shimano Ultegra/105 triple, 'w550' long calipers, 2005 Bontrager raceXlite wheels, Selle Italia 'maxflyte gel flow' saddle, Continental race28 inner-tubes.

Summary:
Highly recommended, top quality & value.

Strengths:
Great grip in rain & cold - due to softer rubber type that general race/recreation tyres.
Low weight (230g-700c/25mm)
Reasonable price.
Good puncture protection.
Usual Continental quality.

Weaknesses:
None, other than the side-wall might seem a little thin - that is the trade-off for a lower weight.
This would only be if a curb stone was hit or rubbed against hard to induce extra wear.

Similar Products Used:
Continental GP3000/4000/4000s.

Price Paid:  $30.00 at pbk

Favorite Ride:
col de clothiere

Bike Setup:
Melrin Magia (ti). Full Dura-Ace. Ksyrium SL's.

Summary:
Excellent tires. The GP 4 seasons replaced Mich pro race 3's that got 2 punctures and a huge tear in 1,000k. The GP's now have 6,500k on them, have flatterned off a bit and have a few nicks, but i've had no punctures, riding less than perfect roads around northern nsw. I'm not a big guy (68kgs) and ride at 100psi, but these tires have given me zero problems. They may not be as race specific as others, but I can't afford to buy sticky-rubber tires that look pretty and die after a month. About to buy more gp's now. Great daily ride tires.

Strengths:
Strong. Decent grip. Reliable. I never worry about them, they just do what i expect them to do; work.

Weaknesses:
Maybe a (tiny) bit heavy, but haver a swig from your bidon and the difference is removed, so it really doesn't matter. Not as pretty as other tires inc. pro race III's, but prettier than pushing your bike in the pouring rain at 6.30am (I've not forgotten, pro race III's)

Similar Products Used:
Mich Pro Race III's, Vittoria Zaffiro

Price Paid:  $55.00 at Various

Favorite Ride:
RAGBRAI

Bike Setup:
His: Custom roadbike, Ultegra 9-speed, Mavic Open Pro on front and rear

Hers: Roadbike, Dura Ace 9-speed, Mavic Open Pro on front and rear

Summary:
Started buying the 4-seasons when I couldn't find Armadillos that weren't defective. Been using the Contintals on my bike, and my wife's bike, for over three years with few problems.

The only punctures we've had are from objects that'd go through anything (fricking carpet tacks!)

Easy to find online and even on sale periodically.

Strengths:
I'm really happy with the kevlar puncture resistance. We try to avoid glass, and the like, but don't always succeed. The only thing that's gone through the tires are tacks.

Easy to mount/unmount without tire levers.

Weaknesses:
Wear. I'm a clydesdale (~250 pounds) and wear my rear tread off fairly quickly. We replace all tires annually.

I've had threads (I don't mean treads) coming off my front tire. I clip 'em but they keep coming back. Faulty tires? Who knows. I'm keeping a close eye on them for deterioration.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Armadillos - and that's about it for the last 10 years.

Price Paid:  $25.00 at Probikekit

Favorite Ride:
West Van

Bike Setup:
My Winter bike is a Giant TCR Aero 1 with SRAM Rival.

Summary:
Got the 700/25 size tire. It rolls well enough. It gips well in dry and wet conditions. And it seems to have good puncture resistance. Went all Winter without flats. Got my first flat riding at night in the Sping, no idea what I went over.

Strengths:
Puncture resistance, grip in dry and wet conditions, comfortable ride in the 25s, rolls well enough.

Weaknesses:
None that would be fair to mention. They are the best Winter tires I ever had.

Similar Products Used:
Continental GP 4000, Michelin ProRace, Pro2Race, Pro3Race, Vittoria Rubino Pro.