GP4000S - Puncture Prone?

jacksomd

I have a new road bike (a Planet-X Carbon) that came equiped with Continental GP4000S tyres. I quite like the tyres as they seem to roll great and they go well with the fairly light wheels (Reynolds Alta Race's) that came with the bike.

However, in the 300kms I've done since I got the bike they seem to have picked up a large number of punctures - three in total! All on the rear wheel.

What have been other people's experience with these tyres. Do they seem more prone to punctures that other tyres or have I been disproportionally unlucky?

I need to decide if I'm going to ditch these tyres (which seems like a waste) or perservere with them and hope for better luck.

I have been running them at pretty close to the max pressure to avoid snake bit punctures as I am a fairly heavy rider (88kg) so I have been running them at about 115psi. What do others run them at? The max on the tyre is 120 so I think I must be pretty close to the max.

I'd be interested on what the general opinion iin this group is about these GP4000S.

Thanks,

Marcus

giant_man

I personally wouldn't waste my time with GP4000s, I only use Michelin ProRace2s which are a fine tyre, No tyre will be completely p******e resistant but some are better than others.

richardjallen

I have the same setup as you Jacksomd. I found they were puncture magnets as well, I had a flat in the rear after 20 miles. I've had the original 4Ks as well and got two flats in those in the first two weeks.

Apart from the punctures I like the tyre so I lined them with Panaracer flataway and have not had any punctures now in over 700 miles. Some people say flataway is only good for pushchairs! But I've found it works. There is another breaker called Mr.Tuffy that you could try.

Eat My Dust

Sounds like bad luck to me. My first set I got over 3000 miles out of them without a single puncture. I've done over a 1000 miles on my new set without a puncture. My 2nd bike also has these on and has done over2000 miles puncture free!!! Now that I've said that, I'll probably get one tomorrow!!!!!

JustRidecp

Yeah, sounds like bad luck, I've got the GP4000S and think they're magic. Not had a "fucksakes" yet and thats commuting daily.

I'm about 68Kg and run them at 110psi.

gavintc

I used Conti 4000s for about a year. In that time, I found that they split easily and was replacing them a little too often for my liking. I then had a bad 'off' in the wet, where the front wheel just broke away. I changed to Prorace 2 and have found them more to my liking. However, my wife swears by the Conti 4000s and loves them. She has used them constantly for the last 2 yrs and will not change them. So, IMO, both are competent tyres. Neither I, nor my wife, p word more than each other

Jashin

Odd thing, tyre choice. For me, the GP4000S has been a fine tyre. I wouldn't touch Pro Race 2's with a bargepole - every one I've used has punctured within a couple of rides (different rims, different bikes I might add). Hopeless durability, even though they feel better than GP4000's.

topcattim

I did 2.5K miles on my GP4000 rear tyre. No punctures but there were a large number of big nicks in the tyre, presumably where stones had tried to shred into it but been unable to penetrate through to the inner tube. As it happens, I haven't bought a direct replacement (had an old stock GP3000) but the only thing that might stop me would be price, rather than quality.

bigdawg

Pro Race 2's in the rain... :shock: Something Ive had terrible problems with, didnt feel safe at all, even spinning on flat straight roads...

I dont believe its the tyres that are causing punctures, Ive used PR2's for a couple of years without problem, and then in the space of a month I had 4, and somehow wore through the sidewalls of 3 tyres..??! :?

I switched to 4000's due to better wet weather performance, I had a couple of punctures in the 1st couple of weeks and nothing since.

I think its down to a lot of things whether we get punctures but I dont believe its specifically down to the tyre choice

magliaceleste

If we're talking 4000S then no-one has been running them for a year, since they've only been around 6 months at most.

I've not had any puntures since moving to the 4000S. Seems to be a much better tyre than the old 4000. Rolls better and doesn't seem to cut up either. I did have quiet a few punctures on the old GP4000.

The only thing about either tyre is that they can be difficult to get onto some rim/wheels.

JustRidecp

magliaceleste wrote:

If we're talking 4000S then no-one has been running them for a year, since they've only been around 6 months at most.

I've not had any puntures since moving to the 4000S. Seems to be a much better tyre than the old 4000. Rolls better and doesn't seem to cut up either. I did have quiet a few punctures on the old GP4000.

The only thing about either tyre is that they can be difficult to get onto some rim/wheels.

Yeah, I was getting confused by this, wheather folk were meaning GP4000s (as is plural of old GP4000 tyre) or GP4000S - the new, all black tyre.

I think the GP4000S has an new compound - better in wet than GP4000 and better puncture protection.

John Stevenson

I'm always skeptical of tyre makers' puncture resistance claims. A few sheets of nylon cloth and rubber versus a glass shard with half a rider's weight bearing down on it? Who's going to win? Not the tyre.

It's telling that the original poster's punctures were all in the rear. Ever looked closely at the shards you pull out of your tyres? They're often quite flat, but they have gone into the tyre edge first.

As you roll over a shard, the front tyre can flick it up so that by the time the rear tyre hits it, it's presenting an edge, rather than the flat. Combine that with a bit of moisture (I gather you folks in the UK have had a lot of that lately) and you've got a well-lubricated cutting edge slicing straight into the tyre.

Against that, your tyre is doomed.

The only thing I have ever found to make a difference is sealant - Slime or like that - in the tubes. That's effective for small punctures such as glass cuts, but if you get a big cut they're almost impossible to repair.

bahzob

After reading advice on this forum bought some Vittorio Corsa Open Evo KX tyres.

The only thing wrong with them is the ridiculously long name. Otherwise they are the perfect tyre. I fitted them March and so far have done 4500km with them.

This included several sportives (including Wessex in wet) and TOBM last weekend. Most of these km are on small country roads covered in gravel.

Not a single puncture or close to one in all that time. Front tyre still looks newish, back tyre showing signs of wear but no obvious cuts.

All this would be impressive enough but:
> They are dead comfortable
> They grip/handle superbly
> They can be pumped up to 10 bar and are still great to ride (and fast too. I did all 115miles of TOBM last weekend on 9 bar).

For all but very specialist use I cannot imagine why anyone would buy any other tyre.

wildmoustache

yep, the vittoria's are very good... most pro teams ride on vittorios, or, more significantly, re-badged vittorias!

I don't care for the conts. they are comfortable but the slit easily. flint gets through them no trouble at all.

PR2s on the other hand are great... few punctures, great grip and lower rolling resistance.

Lagavulin

Hmm, I bought a pair of Conti 4000's (standard not S) while they were on offer a good few months back. Have never got round to mounting them on anything though.

Currently still using Spesh Mondo Pros which have been good since I've got them. The original Mondos that came with the bike were sh!te. I had plenty of punctures with those but the "Armadillo" in the Pros seems to have done the trick - as yet. There are a few nicks in the tread but nothing has made it through the carcass. Mind you, I've only done about 1,000-1,200 miles on them.

I guess what I'm really asking is before I use them might it be worth me sticking the Conti's on ebay.

I'm buying a new set of wheels in the very near future and a few of the wheel sets I'm considering people have noted isues with mounting Contis and suggested Italian rubber.

wildmoustache

Lagavulin wrote:

Hmm, I bought a pair of Conti 4000's (standard not S) while they were on offer a good few months back. Have never got round to mounting them on anything though.

Currently still using Spesh Mondo Pros which have been good since I've got them. The original Mondos that came with the bike were sh!te. I had plenty of punctures with those but the "Armadillo" in the Pros seems to have done the trick - as yet. There are a few nicks in the tread but nothing has made it through the carcass. Mind you, I've only done about 1,000-1,200 miles on them.

I guess what I'm really asking is before I use them might it be worth me sticking the Conti's on ebay.

I'm buying a new set of wheels in the very near future and a few of the wheel sets I'm considering people have noted isues with mounting Contis and suggested Italian rubber.

sell them. if you want comfort, grip and speed buy Vredestein Fortezzas

If you want grip and speed at a slightly lower weight, trading off a bit of comfort, buy PR2s

domtyler

I have had them on two bikes, one a fixie commuter ridden daily into London and one a carbon race bike for weekend fun since they first came out and have not had any punctures, I don't really expect too either as it is more down to riding style/road positioning than tyre choice.
________
RC212V

Bart Puss

Had a a pair of 25mm`s on one of my bikes for a while ...had no punctures yet but do tend to pump them up to 8 bar which seems to help...quite like the Vittoria Diamante pros ...found them to be durable, good rolling and grip well in the wet.

il_principe

i love mine, had 1 puncture so far after running through a load of broken glass but nothing since. In terms of fitting, they are the easiest tyre I have ever had the joy of mounting :shock: which is odd as the GP4000's were next to impossible on the same wheels (Fulcrum Racing 0's).

JonEdwards

I've been running gatorskins on my commuter bike for donkey's years with no problems, so when I built my flashy roadbike up I stuck some GP4000 on.

Noticed a bulge in the sidewall yesterday - it's splitting (radially) after less than 500 miles. Presumbaly after catching on something (although given my riding is mostly Richmond Park, and I'm bloody careful to avoid potholes, I'm not sure what), but even so - not impressed.

JustRidecp

JonEdwards wrote:

I've been running gatorskins on my commuter bike for donkey's years with no problems, so when I built my flashy roadbike up I stuck some GP4000 on.

Noticed a bulge in the sidewall yesterday - it's splitting (radially) after less than 500 miles. Presumbaly after catching on something (although given my riding is mostly Richmond Park, and I'm bloody careful to avoid potholes, I'm not sure what), but even so - not impressed.

Could this be a manufacturing defect? Might be worth getting in contact with Conti to see if they'll replace them.

Eat My Dust

Do you guys go looking for broken glass to ride over????

I've honestly done close to 5000 miles on normal GP4000's and I could count the amount of punctures I've had on one hand!!!!

wildmoustache

Eat My Dust wrote:

Do you guys go looking for broken glass to ride over????

I've honestly done close to 5000 miles on normal GP4000's and I could count the amount of punctures I've had on one hand!!!!

how many have you had?

Eat My Dust

On 2 sets of tyres, probably 4 max. I don't think I've had a puncture yet this year!!

JustRidecp

So far I've only punctured tyres as they're nearing the end of their lives and getting worn. Everytime its been a bit of glass. I always cycle a bit out from the gutter though - less glass and shite. Only had one this year and that was when the tyres were bin fodder.

thebigbrazilian

IME Michelin are better than Continental when it comes to pucture resistance.

I always use liners (Mr Tuffy) or similar and have way less punctures than my buddies - but make sure you pick the glass out of your tyres between rides.

Vredestein Fortezza Tricomps are said to be very good.

grazer

been running a 4000 on my front wheel for about 1000km through the streets of london. so far no p********s and no splits, so pretty happy really.

stevea1

this thread is good timing ... i'm running contis at present but changed both tubes last night then got 4 punctures in 70 km today ..... felt like throwing it in a hedge . I do seem to get more puncture than most although I didnt on the UK Etape and saw loads of people with their wheels off ( was running michelin pp2 then )

I run my tubes at about 8.5 bar and weigh 78 kg , any tips from anyone ?

Jashin

Well 4 punctures in 70k is obviously unusual to say the least. Were the tyres cut, or were they pinch puntures? Anything in the rims that might be causing them?

wildmoustache

stevea1 wrote:

this thread is good timing ... i'm running contis at present but changed both tubes last night then got 4 punctures in 70 km today ..... felt like throwing it in a hedge . I do seem to get more puncture than most although I didnt on the UK Etape and saw loads of people with their wheels off ( was running michelin pp2 then )

I run my tubes at about 8.5 bar and weigh 78 kg , any tips from anyone ?

One fairly obvious tip is to go back to PR2s.

I also cover my tube in talcum powder before fitting. This allows it to move a little in the tyre and apparently helps prevent flats. no idea if this is true but i do it and haven' punctured his year on PR2s with lightweight tubes over about 6000km.