Continental Grand Prix Force and Attack 700c

Price Paid:  $80.00 at internet

Bike Setup:
phillips carbon, dura ace group, sram red chanset/cassette

Summary:
put these on my winter bike, looking forward to the benefits of well thought of tyres. however, i have managed to destroy both inside 1 month (600 miles). i'm 210lbs so i guess i give tyres a good work out, but both front and back have developed side wall failures at 110 psi.

i think continental have over-rated this tyre!!

Strengths:
good reviews (elsewhere)

Weaknesses:
pick up sidewall damage all too easily.

Similar Products Used:
shwalbe stevios, gatorskins

Price Paid:  $60.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Last one

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Synapse Ultegra SL
Ksyrium Elites

Summary:
Bought these as owner of my lbs said they were the best tyres he'd ever used. They look great, grip great - even in the wet and give great feel. However they do ride a little harsh and wear out very quickly. They're quite suseptable to cuts - which they would be as their a soft race tyre. I got 2 puntures on the rear, both on a wet bit of roadwhen the tread was wearing thin at 1400 miles on my first rear, then 800 miles on my second (I must have ridden the second pair harder hey?) The second punture rote the tyre off as it bulged. You pay your money and take your choice! For racing where grip is a priority they're great - you just change them when they wear out! If you intend to use them in this manner and can afford to change the rear every 1000miles and front every 1500 then buy them. For all rounders the GP4000 would be better. I don't why so many people complain about them as if you read Continental's guide they're not recommended for training of Spotives!

Strengths:
Grip, low rolling resistance, looks

Weaknesses:
Picks up cuts from gravel and punctures in wet once a bit worn!

Similar Products Used:
Gatorskins, GP4000's, Michelin Pro Race 3's
Vitoria Open Corsa/Open Pave
Michelin Krylion

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
london loops

Bike Setup:
colnago master, campy chorus (10spd), royce x ceramic openpro

Summary:
One of the worst sets of tyres ever!

Front side walls are weak - mine caught a piece of glass just of the side of the main tread which effectively sliced the side of the side wall open leaving it un-rideable following a flat.

The rear tyre did about 1k miles before flattening on its tread so becoming poor at cornering.

Both tyres picked up numerous flats during the minimal life span (max 1.5k on the front) which became a real challenge on patience, for what was supposed to be a high end race tyre (given the price - GBP 60/pr).

Stay well clear of these! The GP4000(s) is a much better tyre with just as good rolling and grip characteristics, so a clear alternative choice

Strengths:
Very nice handling on the front, with superior grip. The 22mm width gives you a chance to feel a slightly lighter rolling resistance over the 23mm profile which is more standard for most riders.

The rear tyre doesn't really have anything over any other conti tyre...

Weaknesses:
Very poor wear, puncture magnets, expensive for what appears to be poor longevity (1500miles max on a set, 1000 on the rear if you baby it)

Similar Products Used:
contiGP4000, gatorskin, vittoria corsa

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Price Paid:  $100.00 at performancebike.com

Favorite Ride:
New Orleans Mississippi River Levee

Bike Setup:
1993 Trek 5200, I weigh 170lbs

Summary:
This review is for the 2008 model. I enjoyed riding these tires. I got them in October 2008 and had no flats in 6 months / 750 miles. However, I had to replace the rear [Force] after I apparently skidded it [I don't remember locking up the brakes] and a contact patch sized piece of rubber wore away down through the first set of threads. This is a shame since the tire wear indicators seem to be only about 1/2 way warn down and I do remember skidding on them.
The front tire [Attack] is still in great shape.
I replaced the rear with a 2008 Grand Prix 4000.

Strengths:
Ride well.

Weaknesses:
Sold as a set. Expensive but on par with other high end tires.

Similar Products Used:
Original Continental Grand Prix foldables with the brown sidewalls. I Put > 4000 miles on one of these with no thread exposure.

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Price Paid:  $70.00 at ProBikeKit

Favorite Ride:
TransAlp

Bike Setup:
2007 BMC Team Machine
Campy Record
Amer. Classic 420's
Powertap

Summary:
THis review is for the 2008 version. I received these today and replaced Pro2 races. First I was struck by the immediate increase in steering responsiveness. The difference in diameter of the two tires is sufficient to affect the geometry perceptably. Then I went on a 50+ mile climbing ride. I fell in love. These are clearly stickier than the competition, and the cornering and descending was the best I can remember. I found the ride compliant, yet the sidewalls are now completely protected. I am looking forward to pushing these to the limit. Noticed lower rolling resistance.

Strengths:
Black Chili really seems to work,
Great cornering,
Fast handling,
Strong construction,
Easy install,
Sexy graphics.

Weaknesses:
No complaints yet.

Similar Products Used:
Pro2 Race, Vredstiens, Vittorias