Conti GP 4 Seasons tyres - how long should they last
markiegrim
Posts: 136
Any experience with these tyres?
I replaced my Trek 1.5 stock tyres with these Oct 2013 as the stock tyres seemed to puncture every ride and for a long time was very happy.
However, in the last 3 rides have had multiple punctures. Just bad luck?
I have done ca. 3700 km on the new tyres
On inspection I note that there is a lot pf pitting in the surface and, scarily, a tear in one side wall with the tube bulging through (thought these tyres were meant to be resistant to such damage)
Appreciate my expectations may be unrealistic. Have ordered more of the same, but would appreciate any views on what longevity would be reasonable to expect
Thanks
I replaced my Trek 1.5 stock tyres with these Oct 2013 as the stock tyres seemed to puncture every ride and for a long time was very happy.
However, in the last 3 rides have had multiple punctures. Just bad luck?
I have done ca. 3700 km on the new tyres
On inspection I note that there is a lot pf pitting in the surface and, scarily, a tear in one side wall with the tube bulging through (thought these tyres were meant to be resistant to such damage)
Appreciate my expectations may be unrealistic. Have ordered more of the same, but would appreciate any views on what longevity would be reasonable to expect
Thanks
0
Posts
3700 km seems like the sort of distance where you might need to start thinking about replacing in any case. As the tyres wear you will lose some puncture resistance simply because the tread will get a bit thinner.
Tyre wear is a bit of a personal thing, depends on your riding style / road surface / weight etc, so difficult to be prescriptive in terms of replacement times.
I was not aware that there are wear indicators on tyres...sorry for ignorance..where are they?
TBH tread looks fine still, but with all the pitting I mentioned above
Dont sound Excellent to me!!! i ve used them and like you found they cut very easily and didnt last.
Pro4 endurance are loads better, cheaper, better grip and last for ages on the lanes of devon cornwall.
Some tyres (I have not had 4 Seasons with them though, but I have not bought any in a while, tend to bulk buy half a dozen when I see a good price) will have a couple of small dimples on them. There will (on conti tyres) be a marking of TWI on the sidewall.
Basically, when the holes are gone, the tyre is done.
I run 4 Seasons on the distance bikes for most things. I typically get around 4-5000km out of them.
A lot of it will depend on your weight, where you ride etc.
Certainly if you are getting a lot of punctures, then it is a sign that the tyre is done (but check rim tape etc. Especially if you are getting flats in the same area).
Rear tyres will square off noticeably as they wear, and I will usually take the front tyre and put it on the rear, and then a brand new tyre on the front (you want your best tyre up front giving you grip and not likely to fail in any way).
With regards to cuts and pitting - it happens. Generally nothing to worry about too much if they are small.
However, a cut in the sidewall is bad news and the tyre is likely trash. If it happens out on a ride, you can boot it with various things, but this should only be treated as a get you home fix and if the cut is on the front, then swap tyres to get the cut on the back (a front tyre failure is likely to have a very serious outcome compared to a rear failure).
Sounds like you have got decent distance out of them. As I said, that sidewall cut should mean instant replacement in most cases. No tyre can put up with everything and it is easy to cut a side wall hitting a sharp edge (stone or whatever).
If the front tyre looks decent still, then swap it into the rear for another 1-2000km. Assuming that is not the one with the cut sidewall!
I also am a Chilterns rider so was also assuming the flints were the issue. It won't be my weight (less than average)
So reading here and elsewhere, looks like this is par for the course, so will replace and learn that this is the norm for every 4-5K km
Sadly, it is the front tyre that has the sidewall cut, although to be honest both tyres look equally worn
As I said, you really don't want to ever risk things with a sidewall cut on a front tyre. The consequences of it failing could be very financially beneficial to your dentist. Even to get you home with a boot, you should always swap the cut tyre onto the rear - a rear tyre failing at speed will be scary, but is less likely to cause a serious off.
Sidewall cuts are a real pain - I've only ever had a couple fortunately, but once on a tyre with less than 100km on it (and it was an expensive Vittoria Open Pave one) was very annoying.
Small ones can be patched up quite well and run on the rear, but still something I would only really risk on the commuting bike that don't get ridden down big hills etc.!
They are now however eye-wateringly expensive, so when these wear out I'll be giving the Michelin Pro4 Endurance a go. I already have the Pro4 SC on the summer bike and like them.
Tyres wear out and then start puncture. They dont even have to wear to puncture. Accept it and when you get a couple in a row sling the tyre. Thats what i do. Since i gave up on clinchers the puncture fairy visits very infrequently. I like it that way.
My current rear tyre should have been replaced a month ago when I got a hole in it but I've booted it for the time being as it's only now 1200 miles old, when the next rear puncture happens then I'll consider binning it.
Talking of GP4Seasons, anybody want 3 700x28c for £50? Two have done 1468.37 and the third is brand new in the box but will have lost that new tyre smell. Thinking of dropping down to 25c on both bikes.
What is it with tubulars that make them more puncture resistant? I know they don't suffer from pinch flats but I never had those anyway and my tubulars are still more puncture resistant than clinchers.
Replace the one with the sidewall gash and tube showing through right away (if it hasn't blown already, better go check) as that's dangerous. Not much you can do to prevent that except buy tyres with extra sidewall protection, which the 4 Seasons have over the 4000's.
On my commuter roadie I covered roughly 3000 miles over the winter on 25mm 4 Seasons and they've still got plenty of life left, depends a lot on the road conditions.