As a 225 pound, 6'2 cyclist I don't agree with the LBC orthodoxy that everyone should ride 23c tires. However, it's not as easy as it looks. A 25mm tire should be 2mm wider than a 23, right. I don't think so. In my experience the widths of the tires seem to vary from brand to brand, and even model to model.
This made me think the Grand Prix 4 Season 28c might look like it belonged on a beach bike. Not true. In the past year my Wife (on 23s) and I (on 25s and 28s) have logged over 10k miles on these tires. Having all three sizes currently in use, I've noticed that the increases in width between them seem to be very modest. Unfortunatley I don't have calipers to make a scientific measurement, but it would appear that as the size increases, Continental is making the profile of this tire higher, but only marginally wider.
The 28c is noticably more comfortable without looking out of place on a road bike. The fully inflated tire will clear the brake pads on my Campy Chorus brakes using only the brake release.
We've had no flats from glass, only infrequently from those damn little wire thingies from car tires. Great wear compared to a racing tire, although cornering obviously can't compare to a true racing tire like a Vredestein Tri. But then, I'm only racing for coffee.
I have used this tire on my S-Works Roubaix for a few years and like the fact that flats are a rare event. The tire rides smoothly and has good feedback. Just bought another pair when on sale. Would and have recommended them to friends.
I ride the 25s on my rain bikes, and have been for many years and many thousands of miles. I have gotten a few flats with them, but feel that some road debris will flat any tire, even the 4 Seasons. That being said, these tires are great. They last many miles, stick to the roads, and have a smooth feel. They may be expensive, but if you wait for the right moment, you can get them on sale.
I use this tire on my crosscommute bike. I also do longer rides (30 - 60 miles) on the weekends. It handles well. I have not had any flats yet.
I use these tires on my crosscommute bike. They grip the road in all conditions. No flats yet.
During the winter season in New England the roads are at their worst. Changing a tire tube in sub freezing 30 temperatures is not fun, and since I switched to the 4-season, my risk of a flat due to road conditions is dramatically reduced. It's by far the most durable tire I have ever owned. I cycled over 8,000 miles on the 4-season tire over the past two years. I average about 1300 miles on a rear tire, but that's primarily due to my large frame and weight. I've started to install a new front tire every 1300 miles and move the front to the rear, so now I'm achieving 2600 miles per tire. A good value for the price paid.
Good tires. Hold the road in all conditions.
Quite puncture resistant.
I put a 25mm GP 4-Season on my back wheel every Fall. For almost daily rides in Portland's West Hills, (3040 miles, 4000ft climbingdescending), these are the best balance of wet handling and durability I know. They are a bit pricey, but last as long as Gatorskins and feel a lot better.
I've used GP 4-Season's for many years in 23, 25, and 28. They have an unusually high rolling resistance, but that's what they were designed for. I live in Portland, so I've put a lot of miles on them in the rain. They are the most adhesive clincher I've ever ridden. Consequently, the adhesive properties also result in a relatively short life. I would not recommend running them over 110 psi because it will significantly shorten their life. The puncture resistance is apparently great since I've only had one flat in the 7 sets that I've owned and I regularly ride on gravel roads. If you want a durable tire with absolute puncture resistance, get steel-beeded Gator Hardshells. The GP 4-Season is a performance all-weather clincher with excellent puncture resistance.
I am a Clyde at 272lbs and 6'4 and i ride these on my commuter in size 700x28 at 105psi front and 115psi rear! These tires ride smooth and fast and are one of, if not my very favorite tire for commuting or general training rides. My commutes are 15.2 miles each way, and general training rides are 26-42 miles depending on which route i take. I have owned about every tire made over the years and it is a toss up between these, Vittoria Rubino Pro III's in 700x28, and Panaracer T-Serv's in 700x28, which are also very good tires for the money! The price is a little steep on these, but they seem to have the edge in the speed department over the other two tires mentioned slightly, then it would have to be the Vittoria Rubino next which is very close in speed and then Panaracer last but still quite swift! The Panaracer is the softest riding of the three by far though!! All are quire puncture resistant!
A good performing tire for all around road riding. Not the fastest tire out there, but if you're not a racer and do a lot of mileage, I can't think of anything better. Sure footed in the wet and not easy to flat, which saves a lot of hassle. I ran hardshells for a while, but they are decidedly slower and less nimble and I'm not sure they're really tougher. Consider running 25's if you are a big guy, as the rolling resistance is actually better and the weight difference small.
I have about 2500 miles on these tires this year. I have never had a flat on these, period. I ride about 100 miles per week commuting into NYC and back, and I'm about 160 lbs, and I ride them at 110 psi. Every day I ride over glass, debris, big potholes, pavement cuts, protruding steel service covers, drain grates, and all the other crap that I can't avoid because I'm being passed by a bus at the wrong moment. Excellent traction in curves and climbs, in wet or dry conditions. I will soon swap the rear to front, as the rear is showing some wear, and I expect another 1000 - 2000 miles after that.
I haven't changed a flat since I put these on my bike how much would you pay to be able to say that every 3000 miles?
Ia'm a recreational rider, log 1700 to 2000 miles a year. Stock tires were wearing out at 700 miles, put Conti's 4 Season tires 28x622 on. I have ridden these over 1000 miles, so here is my review.
PRO- lightweight, hi thread count
good grip, dry or wet
stable, never squirlly
easy to mount, very round
no flats, have ridden over glass, nails, bolts, holes, all kinds of debris
2 small cuts on rear
front looks new
CONS- expensive
maybe a bit slow (not sure)
rear has lost it's round profile, squared off 38s
Use the tire on a cross bike and it provides three season protection training on dirt roads (28mm). Without the knob hum of cross tires, square wear and the squirmy corners on tarmac. Speeds and spin up is respectable for the weight and durability aka mileage. If you can find them on sale they are a great buy, if not a little pricey. Ride safe.
I've put just over 1K miles on my set of Conti 4-Season tires and they have been outstanding. Excellent grip, similar feel to the Conti 4000S they replaced, yet as bullet proof as they come. I've run over lots of road debris and not had a single issue. These are now my standard issue road tires.
Ride about 4200 miles per year...tried all the other tires...on my 4th set of 4-Seasons....only had one flat - a thorn, barely pierced the tube and it slowly went down - since I made the switch versus 5 or 6 per year. They feel great, ride great, and give you confidence....every time I'm out there riding with others and they flat - like I used to - I point them to this tire....It may be pricey, but, what is the cost of a tube and C02 cartridge? Change a tube twice, you've paid for them, not even considering the danger and time of flatting...
I've been using these tires for many years, now. I ride for fitness, with lots of hills in the San Francisco Bay area. I also used these tires on the Deathride-yes, I did all five passes. I've almost forgotten how to fix a flat since I started using these tires, flats are few and far between. When I do get flats with these tires, it's because of of something serious. For example, a week ago I flatted a half mile from home and there was a HUNK of metal on tire. I walked the bike home, then pulled a 1.5 nail out of the tire. The tire was so old and worn that I tossed it and used my last stored Grand Prix, so I need to restock. But $63!!! With a 20% discount, free shipping, and no CA tax, the price is much better. I'll pick up 3 or 4.
In response to the other comment about the high price, this is inflation, folks. Don't believe the deflationistas. The US$ may lose its status as the world's reserve currency, and it is losing its ability to act as a 'store of wealth'. Just today the Fed announce QE-2. I recommend you find and read FOFOA, Calculated Risk, Jesse's Cafe, JMineSet, etc. Protect your wealth.
2000 miles with no problems. Supple ride on 28mm width, superb traction all weather, roll well, corner well, no flats so far and expect another 1000 miles from this set of tires. Pricier, but well worth the money.
This is the most puncture resistant performance tire I've ever ridden. In three years of use, I've only had one puncture a front wheel flat from driving a screw directly into the tire. If the looks of colored sidewalls or the saving of 15 gms per tire are your most important criteria, by all means choose another tire. But if you really really hate fixing flats on the road and still want a tire with great performance characteristics on wet or dry pavement, this is the one.
This is the tire I've used the last three training season's, I've actually rode over a pile of glass, and amazingly got me home with no incident or puncture. They do wear in the center a little too quick, so plan to replace once or twice each season? I usually run 125 PSI and I weigh 180lbs. which seems to work really well.
Strengths- Lite, durable and plenty of grip.
Weakness- Wear
