Conti GP4000S - Brilliant!

jon208
jon208 Posts: 335
edited May 2009 in Road buying advice
Just back from my first ride after swapping the Conti Ultrasports that came with my bike for a pair GP4000S What an amazing difference, felt like I was riding with a good tail wind for the whole ride! Never knew a simple tyre swap could make such a difference, great performance gains for a fairly small cost.

Comments

  • akkers
    akkers Posts: 140
    Good to hear - I have a pair waiting to go on my steed, replacing my Michelin Pro 3s. Interested to see the difference - Im finding the Pro 3s cut too easily.
  • jon208
    jon208 Posts: 335
    I think I probably noticed a big difference as the Ultrasports are pretty low spec, really pleased with the change. Seemed to be able to hold a higher average speed. Can't wait to get my Zondas fitted now after I manage to retrieve them from Parcel Force who are currently holding them hostage!
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    jon208 wrote:
    Just back from my first ride after swapping the Conti Ultrasports that came with my bike for a pair GP4000S What an amazing difference, felt like I was riding with a good tail wind for the whole ride! Never knew a simple tyre swap could make such a difference, great performance gains for a fairly small cost.

    Maybe you were just riding with a good tail wind for the whole ride :wink:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    There won't be any diference really between the Conti GPs and the Pro Race 3s...

    It's brilliant the first time you go from low spec tyres to good ones though. Can't wait for my Vittoria Paves to arrive for the winter / trainer...
  • Lagavulin
    Lagavulin Posts: 1,688
    NapoleonD wrote:
    Can't wait for my Vittoria Paves to arrive for the winter / trainer...
    I've just ordered another two sets of Open-Pave CGs. Enjoy the ride.
    2010 Cannondale CAAD 9
    2008 Wilier Izoard
  • jon208
    jon208 Posts: 335
    Garry,

    Remember.......

    The wind is either against you or you're having a good day. It's never with you!
  • UnworthyPapaLazaru
    UnworthyPapaLazaru Posts: 422
    jon208 wrote:
    Just back from my first ride after swapping the Conti Ultrasports that came with my bike for a pair GP4000S What an amazing difference, felt like I was riding with a good tail wind for the whole ride! Never knew a simple tyre swap could make such a difference, great performance gains for a fairly small cost.

    Is it really that different??? Ive just checked my bike and I have the ultrasports. You've got me thinking now!!
    Cannondale F500
    Peugeot Fixed Gear
    Specialized Hardrock
    Baordman Team Carbon
    Haro Freestyler Sport 1984
    Coming Soon...Canyon Nerve AM 7.0
  • martinwitnam
    martinwitnam Posts: 439
    Not sure whether it is a psychological thing but I always find that I seem to ride better on a new set of tyres.
    Can we fix it?
    Yes we can!
  • jon208
    jon208 Posts: 335
    UPL

    Yes it is. I didn't expect it to make that much difference but I'd heard the Ultrasports were a slow tyre. Have to say I was pleasantly supprised, worth giving them a go next time you change tyres. You'll save some rotational weight too.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    martinwitnam wrote:
    Not sure whether it is a psychological thing but I always find that I seem to ride better on a new set of tyres.

    Who cares if it's psychological? It's like a placebo drug, if it works, awesome! It don't matter how it works :D
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    jon208 wrote:
    I think I probably noticed a big difference as the Ultrasports are pretty low spec, really pleased with the change. Seemed to be able to hold a higher average speed. Can't wait to get my Zondas fitted now after I manage to retrieve them from Parcel Force who are currently holding them hostage!

    Good luck fitting conti tyres on campag wheels - prepare for pain.
    I like bikes...

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  • UnworthyPapaLazaru
    UnworthyPapaLazaru Posts: 422
    jon208 wrote:
    UPL

    Yes it is. I didn't expect it to make that much difference but I'd heard the Ultrasports were a slow tyre. Have to say I was pleasantly supprised, worth giving them a go next time you change tyres. You'll save some rotational weight too.

    Cheers Jon. Did notice a saving in weight when I checked it out last night.
    Cannondale F500
    Peugeot Fixed Gear
    Specialized Hardrock
    Baordman Team Carbon
    Haro Freestyler Sport 1984
    Coming Soon...Canyon Nerve AM 7.0
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    jon208 wrote:
    Garry,

    Remember.......

    The wind is either against you or you're having a good day. It's never with you!

    The wind is your training buddy :wink:
  • jon208
    jon208 Posts: 335
    Thanks for the head up RD, I managed to wrestle some Marathon Plus tyres onto my commuter last year. Thankfully they really are very tough and it's not a task I've had to repeat since fitting them.

    I find warming the tyres a bit and swearing lots helps!
  • mattsy666
    mattsy666 Posts: 91
    am i alone in thinking that maybe alot of the diff. was due to the tyre pressure being spot on as opposed to the usual ride once or twice then pump them up again ... if the tyre is at full 120psi then the contact point os so minimal that unless you are really going at in and in tune with your bike you would never notice ... 10psi woudl make more diff. new tyres ...

    ps. for the record i ride GP4000s as well ... mainly due to the fact that cheap tyres puncture more easily ...
  • jon208
    jon208 Posts: 335
    Don't think so. I pump my tyres up before every ride so I don't think that's a factor.

    Maybe I'm just awesome.


    As of Sunday morning.



    :wink:
  • UnworthyPapaLazaru
    UnworthyPapaLazaru Posts: 422
    http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y1015

    Are these the ones? (dont appear to have the 's')

    Just got the email from PBK - might have to make the purchase if they are reduced further.
    Cannondale F500
    Peugeot Fixed Gear
    Specialized Hardrock
    Baordman Team Carbon
    Haro Freestyler Sport 1984
    Coming Soon...Canyon Nerve AM 7.0
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    That's the standard 4000 which comes in a few colours. The S only comes in black. Both have the 'chili compound'.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    Only the black ones with the S have the chilli compound,I think.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • UnworthyPapaLazaru
    UnworthyPapaLazaru Posts: 422
    maybe I should just seek clarification from PBK!
    Cannondale F500
    Peugeot Fixed Gear
    Specialized Hardrock
    Baordman Team Carbon
    Haro Freestyler Sport 1984
    Coming Soon...Canyon Nerve AM 7.0
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    antfly wrote:
    Only the black ones with the S have the chilli compound,I think.

    You may be right. But PBK show the chili compound picture and calling it the 4000. Now I'm confused ...
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Oh yeah - someone find out please cos I'm tempted too. I love my 4000s
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Well according to the Continental site, only the S have the Chili Compound as antfly said. So I think it's misleading of PBK myself ... don't understand how they look like the 'S' but the image clearly shows 'GP 4000' only ...
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    You can get them cheaper elsewhere anyway.J E James have them for £23 but it says low stock so they might be out by now.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • UnworthyPapaLazaru
    UnworthyPapaLazaru Posts: 422
    antfly wrote:
    You can get them cheaper elsewhere anyway.J E James have them for £23 but it says low stock so they might be out by now.

    Ah right. J E James have a pretty poor rep do they not?

    I'll email PBK and let the world know...
    Cannondale F500
    Peugeot Fixed Gear
    Specialized Hardrock
    Baordman Team Carbon
    Haro Freestyler Sport 1984
    Coming Soon...Canyon Nerve AM 7.0
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    I think you`ll be ok with a couple of tyres,they`re not that bad.The usual complaints are about them not having any stock when you go to their website.If I needed tyres I`d be quite happy to get them there.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • scruffyduncan
    scruffyduncan Posts: 246
    how much of a difference does this chilli business make? I just ordered a pair of gp 4000 tyres from ribble and now realise I could have the s version for the same price. is it a big improvement?
  • GavH
    GavH Posts: 933
    After much thought about whether it should be GP4000S, PR3, Krylions or even Vittoria Corsas, I bought these today on the bay, including a pair of Vittoria Ultralite inners and even some tyre levers!!:

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=230336935808

    At £50 inc P&P I don't think I can complain.
  • Brian B
    Brian B Posts: 2,071
    I have been using the 4000s for about 2years and think they are great much better than pro-race 2s. However on my other bike I have just fitted Schwelbe Ultremos and think they might be even better!
    Brian B.
  • jon208
    jon208 Posts: 335
    Picked up my Zondas today, the tyres went on very easily. Infact it was the most easy tyre fitting I've ever done - didn't even need levers.

    Bonza.

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