GP 4 seasons alternatives

drlodge

My GP4s tyres have loads of small " nicks" in the rubber, nothing wrong with them though. No need to bin them.

wolfsbane2k

drlodge wrote:

My GP4s tyres have loads of small " nicks" in the rubber, nothing wrong with them though. No need to bin them.

It's the "through hole" that's bugged me - I'm literally missing a 1mm chunk of rubber at the bottom ( 3 mm at the top) , like it was cut through with a conical hole punch.
I've stuck a boot over it at the moment, but not sure it will keep, and don't want to keep going through inners/repeated punctures again.

stifflersmom

I used Continental Grand Prix Grand Tour tyres (25s) for summer and winter - the same balck chilli compound as in the 4000S but better puncture protection - particularly on the sidewalls. I then bought some Michelin Pro 4 Endurance on a special offer - and they're fantastic! I haven't noticed any lack of grip compared to the Grand Tours, but the wear rate is much better. The Continental's are quite soft and therefore you need to make sure that there are no bits of flint etc embedded in them. I haven't found this issue with the Michelins.

wolfsbane2k

stifflersmom wrote:

I used Continental Grand Prix Grand Tour tyres (25s) for summer and winter - the same balck chilli compound as in the 4000S but better puncture protection - particularly on the sidewalls. I then bought some Michelin Pro 4 Endurance on a special offer - and they're fantastic! I haven't noticed any lack of grip compared to the Grand Tours, but the wear rate is much better. The Continental's are quite soft and therefore you need to make sure that there are no bits of flint etc embedded in them. I haven't found this issue with the Michelins.

I looked at the Conti GP / GPGT tyres when I bought the GP 4 seasons, looking at the "target" area, however none of the GP versions have the reflective sidewall as an option which I found odd.

step83

Another for Pro4 endurance, Im lazy I have one set of tyres all year round been fine through all the weather and crushed stone path excursions. Only one puncture but to be fair it was a fair old chunk of glass I don't think anyones tyres would have survived.

captain_tiara

Continental Grand Prix.

One down the pecking order from GP 4000. Still same Black Chili compound & made in Germany. A bit more puncture proof, a tenner cheaper, can't tell any difference on the bike. Never liked the 4 seasons- not the grip or the sidewalls.

Just got back from a wicked trip to the Pyrenees, no issues, ride them all year on both bikes, rarely rarely puncture. Maybe one or two in the last 3000km.

feisty

Sorry to resurrect an old thread.

I ended up going tubeless on both bikes. That has been fine on my commuter and the sealant worked well. And I'm never more than 2 mins from a black cab should I get a puncture the sealant can't cope with

On my weekend rides I disappear into deepest darkest Kent and - although I haven't had a puncture the sealant can't cope with - I'm more nervous and am thinking of going back to tubes on my weekend bike.

Michelin Pro4 Service Course tyres seem to be popular with many of you. But I saw someone saying they come up large (i.e. 25mm measure up 27mm). I already have wide rims (Velocity A23s) so would prefer a tyre that measures up closer to 25mm rather than having a tyre that says it is 25mm but in effect is 27-28mm which would start causing me clearance issues I suspect

Of the other tyres stated, do people find they measure up as 25mm?

cycleclinic

cab for a puncture that sealant can't cope with. Read my guide on living with tubeless tyres on my website new section. It details exactly how to simply repair holes that wont seal. There is a video too. you have the wrong idea if you are calling a cab to deal with a puncture. the kit you need tyre worms and flexible superglue. It works. sealant works however nearly all the time but not always at high pressure which is the mistake that most users make. they can ride at 30 psi to get you home where then you can sort it out.

Michelin pro4's are big. GP4000s tyres are not. it varies.

The_Wicker_Man

Pirelli P-Zero 4S Velo - Just bought them, will be trying out this autumn/winter.

pippi_langsamer-2

Pro4 Endurance.

I doubt you'll ever choose another tyre after these...

Alex99

feisty wrote:

Sorry to resurrect an old thread.

I ended up going tubeless on both bikes. That has been fine on my commuter and the sealant worked well. And I'm never more than 2 mins from a black cab should I get a puncture the sealant can't cope with

On my weekend rides I disappear into deepest darkest Kent and - although I haven't had a puncture the sealant can't cope with - I'm more nervous and am thinking of going back to tubes on my weekend bike.

Michelin Pro4 Service Course tyres seem to be popular with many of you. But I saw someone saying they come up large (i.e. 25mm measure up 27mm). I already have wide rims (Velocity A23s) so would prefer a tyre that measures up closer to 25mm rather than having a tyre that says it is 25mm but in effect is 27-28mm which would start causing me clearance issues I suspect

Of the other tyres stated, do people find they measure up as 25mm?

Durano 25s would be a real 25 on your rims I think, or close as. My 28 mm Durano is a real 28 mm on my 19 mm internal rim commuter.

True about Michelin Pro4 Endurance 25s. They measure 27 mm on my rims (16 mm internal). Nice tyres though. I found old Vittoria Rubino Pro IIIs to be true to size at 25 mm. The Pro4Es look massive in comparison.

cycleclinic

Schwalbe durano plus or double defence are pretty tough so is the IRC aspite and lighter to but all tyre with tubes have a habbit of loosing all there air suddenly.

The Pro4's are a race tyre. A light race tyre too there is only so much puncture protection you can build into a light race tyre. those that have good luck with them have the blessing of being light, riding on cleaner roads or just plain lucky. If some one is getting 5000 miles from pro4 rear tyre I'd say they are lighter than me. Therefore mileage claims should have total ride and bike weight included.

ryan_w-2

Don't ask Magnus about his views on Gatorskins.....

Schwalbe Duranos really are fantastic for winter commuting.

Alex99

thecycleclinic wrote:

Schwalbe durano plus or double defence are pretty tough so is the IRC aspite and lighter to but all tyre with tubes have a habbit of loosing all there air suddenly.

The Pro4's are a race tyre. A light race tyre too there is only so much puncture protection you can build into a light race tyre. those that have good luck with them have the blessing of being light, riding on cleaner roads or just plain lucky. If some one is getting 5000 miles from pro4 rear tyre I'd say they are lighter than me. Therefore mileage claims should have total ride and bike weight included.

Agree. My Pro4s don't have big mileage on them yet, but I can see already that there is no way that they'll last a long time. But I didn't get them expecting endurance (ironically perhaps). The Pro4 Endurance is very, very similar to the SC, I think just with the puncture belt extending into the side wall a bit, so basically a slightly toughened race tyre. For me, my needs are covered by:

1) training and winter - Durano
2) fancy training - Pro4 E
3) race / sunny day treat - Corsa