Conti GP 4 seasons on road and light off road?

CrankyGuy89
CrankyGuy89 Posts: 23
edited December 2014 in Road buying advice
Hey all, just a quick question.

I'm in the throws of building myself a bike, and have gotten so far as tyre choice. I'm looking for something that offers good puncture protection, light(ish), rolls well on tarmac but also copes with occasional gravel tracks and minor off road excursion. If it was just for the road, GP4 seasons would be perfect as they are tried and tested, but I can't find any reviews of trail use - because they aren't made for that I guess. Ideally I would get 32c - 35c, conti have announced that they are bringing 32c to the GP4 season range for 2015. What are your thoughts?

Cheers.

Comments

  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    The tyre has no off-road ability whatsoever (none is claimed for it, to be fair)...
  • How Far is too Far
    How Far is too Far Posts: 534
    You would probably be better of with a decent touring tyre.
  • CrankyGuy89
    CrankyGuy89 Posts: 23
    Another thought I had was the Marathon Supreme, which does come in 35c and should cope with it, but it is heavier than I would like ideally.
  • Dippydog3
    Dippydog3 Posts: 414
    Challenge Strada Bianca. 30mm, smooth, light and fine for gravel cycle tracks and firm off road.
  • antonyfromoz
    antonyfromoz Posts: 482
    Depending on clearance for the tyres, you could think about the Clement 35mm xplor ush or the 32mm mso tyres. I have the latter on my commuter bike and they are going well on the bike paths and road but i don't time my commute so i am not sure if I am slower after moving from 28mm conti 4 seasons. The extra volume does seem to smooth the ride a bit too.
  • bobmcstuff
    bobmcstuff Posts: 11,435
    I've ridden on gravel tracks/cut throughs and forest paths on GP4S (25 and 28) and it's doable... It worked fine, but wouldn't recommend it as a permanent solution... Would have preferred something bigger than a 25 when I was riding across wet rocks (national cycle route 1, short section around a headland near Dundee). No punctures though!

    I guess it depends how occasional, but really if you're going out with the intention of riding anything more than short gravel cut throughs I'd want something bigger.
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Took my 25c Conti GP4Seasons down the Bristol to Pill path yesterday and there was mud which caused a few slip/slides but nothing I couldn't handle.

    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • mm1
    mm1 Posts: 1,063
    Dippydog3 wrote:
    Challenge Strada Bianca. 30mm, smooth, light and fine for gravel cycle tracks and firm off road.

    Strada Biancas are great on the terrible roads round my way, but lethal for wet off road.

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