Continental Grand Prix 4000s Tires - Clincher Reviews

Price Paid:  $46.00 at warehouse chain

Favorite Ride:
Flat

Bike Setup:
Kestrel rt700, Ritchey WCS rims and Ultegra group

Summary:
Not sure how I feel about this tire. I have had great luck with this brand. After finally wearing out my Grand Prix 4 I put these on. I proceeded to have about 4 flats 3 related to standing while cranking uphill. This caused a pinch flat. The other was due to a staple lodged in the tire. I have since increased the tire pressure to 135PSI to compensate for the lack of sidewall support and no more pinch flats. They wear well, like iron. Hopefully my initial period of regret is over.

Strengths:
Good wear Resistance, Fast, light weight

Weaknesses:
Sidewall stiffness

Similar Products Used:
Grand Prix
Pro 3
Axial
Many more

Price Paid:  $60.00 at Summit Ski and Cycle

Favorite Ride:
MDR to PV over via Hawthorne Blvd

Bike Setup:
Wilier Izoad Ultegra, FSA K-Force carbon crank, seat post, stem, K-Flight bars. Vuelta Corsa Superlight Wheels.

Summary:
I averaged 75 miles per week on the GP 4000s' for over 2 yrs, great tire! No punctures, but two recent front pinch flats from hitting potholes at over 40 mph. No wear on fronts, rears wear indicators still look new. Sidewalls are still good in front, rears have taken a beating. Grippy in the corners, just lean it over and it flys, it feels like a sling shot! I recommend these tires for training or racing. BTW,I was watching 2009 Iron Man, Christie Wellington averaged 25 mph for 110 miles during the bike portion, on what appeared to be Conti GP 4000s'!

Strengths:
Tread wear, wear indicators show no wear after 2 years, Grips in the corners and rolls fast.

Weaknesses:
None after two years. Rear sidewall showing thread and fraying after abrasions from rubbing against frame and or road debri hits. This is not due to the tire failure, the rear wheel adjustment slipped during the initial installation on my previouse steel frame bike causing sidewall abrasion,then it look like I received hits from road debri and potholes. These tires are over 2 years old and with the sidewall threads showing, to be safe I'm replacing them.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized and Serfas.

Price Paid:  $50.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Hills

Bike Setup:
Scott CR1

Summary:
Garbage. Ok I know that sidewalls fail, fine. I know that manufacturing defects occur, fine. But I rode this tire for 2 minutes and 33 seconds and the sidewall blew out. About a 5cm tear. BAM! What was worse was that it locked the rear wheel sending me into a skid, ground down the rim of my American Classic wheel to the point that it is garbage as well. The shortest and most expensive bike ride I have ever been on. I cannot suggest these tires, nor will I ride them again, and I wouldnt suggest you do either. Sure lots of people have had a good experience with these tires, but do you want to be the one doing 70km/h down a hill and have a sidewall blowout??

Strengths:
They're round

Weaknesses:
Sidwall

Similar Products Used:
Gatorskins
Pro Race 3
vittoria

Price Paid:  $47.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
SDBC A ride

Bike Setup:
Trek 5000 madone, Zipp 404s, Full DuraAce 7900

Summary:
My dad used Conti GP4000 all weather and I went to the 4000s for weight reduction. I bought then cheap off ebay in Feb. last year with my new Zipp 404s. I've never had a flat on the front tire; still going strong after 5500miles, Didn't have a flat on the rear tire for 3700miles until the tread started to get low. Had to replace it after 4800miles. Great in Maryland wet weather. Now in San Diego it doesn't rain but has done well on rough roads. New one, no issues or flats after 700miles.

Strengths:
Durability, cornering

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
bontrager race lite

Price Paid:  $55.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Hills of Indiana

Bike Setup:
Cannondale CAAD 10, Mavic Aksium wheels, Rival group.

Summary:
Have to agree with prior negative reviews. Bought 2 new GP4000S's for my CAAD 10 and had near-instant failure of the rear due to a sidewall blowout. Hit a tiny piece of pea gravel that punctured the sidewall and the tube within 25 miles of mounting the tire. These would be great race tires if your still race on clinchers, but for regular road use they are WAY too fragile, IMO.

Strengths:
Low rolling resistant, light weight, very grippy in corners.

Weaknesses:
MUCH too fragile for regular road use or training. Save them for race day if you must ride these tires. But Veloflex or Vittoria Open Corsas instead for the money for better road feel and durability.

Similar Products Used:
Vredstein, Vittoria, Veloflex, Michelin pro Race 3