Wear on Continental GP 4000 tyres.

plowmar
plowmar Posts: 1,032
edited March 2009 in The bottom bracket
I am currently using Continental GP 4000 tyres front and back (120 psi + 110psi )

I have just noticed that whereas the front ones are o.k. with a domed profile the rear has a flat area around the whole tyre of about 5mm.

Given that both have travelled the same distance what is the reason for the difference and should I be changing the rear tyre.

Distance travelled only about 2000 miles.

Is this a Yank spell checker?

Comments

  • pbt150
    pbt150 Posts: 316
    Tyres tend to wear more quickly on the rear than the front - if you think about it your weight is mainly on the back wheel unless you ride with your weight over the handlebars.

    And it's probably just your version of Internet Explorer/Firefox with the US spelling - I know you can get a Brit spelling addon for FF.
    FTT
    Specialized Allez
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/49364032@N03/4820302085/
    Steel bike http://www.flickr.com/photos/49364032@N03/4656318147
  • Gussy
    Gussy Posts: 5
    The rear tyre is the drive tyre so, as on a car, the drive tyres wear more quickly.
    If you want them to wear at the same rate, freewheel everywhere...not easy when going up hill!!!!!! :shock:
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Conti rubber seems softer than many brands, it probably gives you better grip, but more prone to wear and tear. I have noticed quite a rapid wear rate when I used conti's (4 months to get a square profile on the rear tyre!). Given up on them, can't buy 3 tyres per year!
  • synchronicity
    synchronicity Posts: 1,415
    They are good tyres as far as grip & puncture protection go but they are well-known for squaring off prematurely. Same with GP3000s & ultra-sports.
    vertebr.ae | precision braking & shifting
  • kaimag11
    kaimag11 Posts: 31
    GP 4000 have two small holes/dimples, which are use as wear indicates.
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    That happens with GP4000/ GP4000S on the rear and it's not great for cornering when you can go over the bump created at the edge of the flat section. If you're cornering aggressively this can be a little sketchy. Otherwise it's a minor annoyance and they still ride like garden hoses!

    One option is to move the front tyre to the rear and put a new tyre on the front if you're not happy with the squaring off. I normally manage to get 4,000km or so (100psi and 80kg) from a rear GP4000S though so you are wearing them quickly.

    As it happens I have a new unused GP4000S in my cupboard I think... If you want it PM me!
  • plowmar
    plowmar Posts: 1,032
    Thanks all for info.

    Will look for my dimples and see if they are still there, if not have replacements as I bought another set to go on my old bike which I now use on my Tracx.

    Looks as though wear O.K. James as 4000km = 2500 miles, depending on my dimples.

    Again thanks .

Categories