Choice of Continental Grand Prix 4000S or Gatorskin

jamesd

Need to change my tyres - Have a 2012 cube agree gtc bike with Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 23x622 on EA30 Custom wheels.

I dont race - do a good few sportives and go out twice a week with the local club and I would say 120Km will be my max distance with twice weekly 40Km spins.

I am based down the country - the roads I am on are not too bad just rough in a few places.

I am wondering to go for Continental Grand Prix 4000S or Gatorskin's ? I had my mind set on the gatorskins (as dont want punctures) until I read a few people saying they would have more resistance and at 13 stone I dont need any extra.

Any views guys?

Was looking here:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-grand-prix-4000s-road-tyre/
or
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/continental-gatorskin-road-bike-tyre/rp-prod18800 (folding tyre as hope it would be easier to change ?)

UDP

Am far from an expert but the gp 4 seasons are supposed to be good and are puncture resistant. Have 2 on but only have it a few weeks. Were €38 each on wiggle when I last looked.

manwithaplan

I like the 4000S but they aren't really a winter tyre. I have found they tend to wear out in the mankier winter conditions, with the sidewalls being particularly vulnerable. I have stuck with them through the winter up to now but I'm going to put some cheap ass heavy tyres on next winter. Overall, a thumbs up for the 4000S but maybe swap them out as the nights draw in.

Beasty

GP 4000S have plenty of grip and excellent puncture resistance

Gatorskins have better puncture resistance but grip is very much compromised particularly in the wet, and for that reason I would go for GP4000s every time

XtotheZ

gp4000 are faster, ive never used gatorksins but gp4000s are very grippy esp in wet and surprisingly puncture resistant. There pretty fast aswell. I basically trained and raced on gp4000 from start to finish of the season and Ive used them for the last 2 seasons and have just switched to Vittoria open corse

Ryath

The gatorskins are bulletproof but ride is s*** very harsh and are iffy in the wet. They're really only needed if you are going to be dealing with broken glass on your commute. Gp4000's are still very durable I did around 5000k last year on a pair attack/force which are an even lighter version of them with no punctures. If you want something more durable look at the gp4 seasons. Same grip as the gp4000s just a little heavier with better side wall protection.

http://www.swimcyclerun.com/tyresclincher/continental-gp-4-season.html

dissed doc

jamesd wrote: »

I am wondering to go for Continental Grand Prix 4000S or Gatorskin's ? I had my mind set on the gatorskins (as dont want punctures) until I read a few people saying they would have more resistance and at 13 stone I dont need any extra.

I have 700x23 Gatorskins on one road bike. They are fine but hard. In winter with bad weather and bad roads they are also not the grippiest. I have come off the bike due to no grip (on a turn, early morning, 25kph, not tight but whoosh! on the ground. my own fault but still, there is little margin for error if the ground is wet).

I have 4000's on the other road bike and fine them more comfortable and grippier; it is a more enjoyable ride and feels more "sure" on the road I think.

TBH, I would say, keep the 4000s pumped properly and you will have a better ride. They are also easier the change, because (IMO) the Gatorskins (and before that Armadillos) were always for me a bugger to get off on the spot.

jamesd

So maybe rule out the gator's and look at Continental GP 4 Season

Continental Grand Prix 4 Season Folding Road Tyre
Vrs
Continental Grand Prix 4000S II

http://www.swimcyclerun.com/tyresclincher/continental-gp-4-season.html

Or a late contender ?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-grand-prix-4000s-ii-folding-road-tyre-twin-pack/

midonogh

I have ridden Gatorskins on all my bikes for a number of years but am now changing over to 4000's. No punctures on the gatorskins but are disconcertingly slippy in the wet and very very difficult to get on at the side of the road.

jamesd

Thanks all - I see so many online giving out about them in the wet and ireland being ireland its usally wet.

jamesd

Ryath wrote: »

The gatorskins are bulletproof but ride is s*** very harsh and are iffy in the wet. They're really only needed if you are going to be dealing with broken glass on your commute. Gp4000's are still very durable I did around 5000k last year on a pair attack/force which are an even lighter version of them with no punctures. If you want something more durable look at the gp4 seasons. Same grip as the gp4000s just a little heavier with better side wall protection.

http://www.swimcyclerun.com/tyresclincher/continental-gp-4-season.html

Never used that site before http://www.swimcyclerun.com - cheaper than chainreactions for the tyres and with free delivery too - do they deliver quick?

The tax man

I run the GP 4 seasons on my commuting bike. Grip is excellent in all conditions but they cut easily and I've suffered 5 punctures over the winter.
In fairness though my commute is across the city and the amount of glass on the roads is shocking.

Rode Gatorskins for years and I can only remember one puncture.

Ryath

jamesd wrote: »

Never used that site before http://www.swimcyclerun.com - cheaper than chainreactions for the tyres and with free delivery too - do they deliver quick?

They're Irish so delivery is very quick lot's people here have had very good service from them. I got wheels in two day's others have got them delivered next day. They don't have a huge amount of stock but what they do have is very well priced.

van_beano

Just my tuppence - I have used Gatorskins 700x28c for the last 3 years on some of the worst road conditions - broken glass, remains of burnt out bins, potholes etc. I'd say I've had about 8 punctures in that time and that's doing a 35km round commute 6 days a week. I've travelled in all types of weather, I've slipped off once due to me hitting a slight curb in the frost. All in all I have found them a fantastic tyre.

not yet

jamesd wrote: »

Never used that site before http://www.swimcyclerun.com - cheaper than chainreactions for the tyres and with free delivery too - do they deliver quick?

I can't tell you how easy it is to deal with them, From the time you place your order you can track it. Placed 2 orders in recent weeks and had both in 48hrs.

H.E. Pennypacker

jamesd wrote: »

Never used that site before http://www.swimcyclerun.com - cheaper than chainreactions for the tyres and with free delivery too - do they deliver quick?

If you order before midday your postman will deliver them the next day - that's been my experience. My vote is 23mm GP4000s for rural use and 4 Seasons (maybe 25mm) for urban & winter use

Eamonnator

Either of the tyres you are looking at have inferior rolling resistance to the Ultremo ZXs. Be prepared for that.
On the other hand, I suspect, both have better puncture resistance.
Swings and roundabouts!!

cdaly_

+1 for the gators from me. I've been running them for about 4 years now. Well happy.

jamesd

cdaly_ wrote: »

+1 for the gators from me. I've been running them for about 4 years now. Well happy.

Rural or city use ?

C3PO

I run GP 4000S's all year round and very rarely puncture (despite being 85kgs at the moment!). I've tried other tyres on and off but keep coming back to the Conti's - a great all round compromise IMHO!
Incidentally one of the other tyres I tried were UltremoZXs (they matched my bike!!) and I found they rolled well but were very delicate!!

Cyclewizard

UDP wrote: »

Am far from an expert but the gp 4 seasons are supposed to be good and are puncture resistant. Have 2 on but only have it a few weeks. Were €38 each on wiggle when I last looked.

i have them on both my bikes and love them. only 1 puncture with over 5,000 k in all weather and roads. rolling resistance is excellent too, definitely good enough if your not racing

furiousox

OP, you do very similar cycling to myself.
I don't race, just sportives and training around typical rural roads.
Gatorskins are the harshest most horrible tyre I've ever ridden on.
I've used GP 4000s black chili and Michelin Pro4s, both roll much better.
I'm currently using 25mm Veloflex Corsas with latex tubes and they give a beautiful plush ride.

CramCycle

Out of the two mentioned, definitely 4000s

jamesd

Thanks all - ordered Continental GP 4000s Twin Pack for €70 from swimcyclerun plus 3 new tubes.

Alanstrainor

Recently changed to GP4000s and am impressed with the grip and the speed. Another thumbs up here. Had gatorskins, didn't keep them long due to the slippiness!

jamesd

Got my GP 4000s today in the post and the 3 new tubes - fitted them this evening. Will try for a short spin in them Tmor evening. Great service from an irish store and will use them again.

cdaly_

cdaly_ wrote: »

+1 for the gators from me. I've been running them for about 4 years now. Well happy.

jamesd wrote: »

Rural or city use ?

Both. No bother around the city, quite happy on the long distance too. That said, I haven't tried the 4000s so I don't have the comparison.