Continental GP Attack

Price Paid:  $50.00 at wheelworld.com

Bike Setup:
Cannondale R600, Shimano 105, Mavic wheelset

Summary:
Nice solid feel, but forgiving when you run over the rough stuff. I've put about 400 miles on so far and no signs of problems. The front is 1mm narrower than the rear, so it looks cool. Watch the PSI though. Conti website recommends 10 lbs less than the max.

Strengths:
Good grip (wet or dry), wearing well, so far.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Conti GP 3000, Vredestein Ricorso

Price Paid:  $100.00 at Bicycle Village

Favorite Ride:
Boulder -> Ward

Bike Setup:
trek 2000 / shimano 105

Summary:
Ridden for 1000 miles, all hills (I live in Boulder). I weigh 190 lbs. They are looking worn now so I am looking to replace them but I have done a lot of climbing with them.

Strengths:
grip (even in the wet)
confidence in corners

Weaknesses:
they are looking worn after 1000 miles

Price Paid:  $80.00 at Randall Scott

Favorite Ride:
Moraga / Danville Loop

Bike Setup:
Purch Feb '07 - 2006 Lemond Zurich, Shimano Ultegra groupset, Bontrager Race Lite Wheelset.

Summary:
As a reasonably newbie road bike rider (~12 mos), I have somewhat limited experience but my impression of the Attack/Force combo is very favorable. I rode about 2000 mi last year over a 10 month period of time. During the 1st 4 months, I went through three Bontrager Race X Lite tires (all punctures) and was pretty frustrated. Since (~1500 mi), I have been on the Contis and have had one puncture (glass) but otherwise great performance. The feel is very nice and much prefer them to the stock Bontragers that came with the bike.

I ride recreationally and average 17-18 mph over rolling hill routes of 15-35 mi. I have inflated these tires consistently at 110 psi even though they are rated to 120.

Strengths:
Nice feel and handle. Grips well doing sweeping downhill curves up to 45mph.

Weaknesses:
A little pricey. Not sure if the 22mm Attack makes any diff than having another 23mm Force on the front rim.

Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Race X Lite 700x25 - Std equip on 2006 Zurich.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Good grip, fast rolling tyre. But not a tyre if you aren't racing and training hard. The side walls are fragile, and as others have said, start to look tired after some time. So if you aren't doing the miles or riding hard enough to justify a grippy tyre, go for something else.

Strengths:
Good rolling resistance, good wear rate for a grippy race tyre

Weaknesses:
Frigile side walls - but this is what gives it the good rolling resistance and weight.

Similar Products Used:
GP3000, Supersonics, varoious Vitorria's

Price Paid:  $75.00 at UK (£45)

Favorite Ride:
Devon coast-to-coasts

Bike Setup:
Litesped tuscany, Eurus, chorus/record,....

Summary:
I've done over 4000km on a pair of these so I'd writing this as they're up for replacement. I found the ride and grip on these very good and never really had too much trouble with puctures, except when I've been going through cities (to-from stations etc.). The last ride I did on these was the PBP and only had 1 flat in 1200km.

I'm getting rid of them for two reasons:
1) they are pretty cut up in places, which seems to happen reasonably easily - one place were a large bit of flint went through last month keeps gettting easy puctures (inc. the one on the pbp) as its weak (the tubes have a stack of patches in one spot....).

2) The side walls are starting to crack and flake - I'd rather swap now than wait for them to blow.

Generally I'd say that the side walls are pretty weak and have a limited life time in terms of 'time' rather than 'distance'. I get through 2 or 3 pairs a tires a year so this isn't a problem for me, but if you expect to keep these for a couple of years, get something else.

Strengths:
Fast, smooth, good grip. Good balance between weight and puncture resistance.

Weaknesses:
side walls decay quickly so would only last a year I'd say, but if you ride a lot they'll need changing before that. If you keep your bike outdiirs in the sun 24/7, you could kiss them goodbye in 6 months.

Expensive but worth it if you use them.

Similar Products Used:
supersonics, gp4000