The five-pack of Dynaplug repair plugs seem pricey, but are certainly cheaper AND much faster than replacing an inner tube. After I ran over a small piece of steel that actually went completely inside my tire and rattled around when I was stopped, one plug was not quite big enough to stop air from leaking. So, I inserted a second one, pumped the tire up to pressure, and rode another 65 miles on it. Since the tire already had 4500 miles on it, I replaced the tire. The Dynaplugs give me great confidence in riding tubeless. The tire was a Conti 5000 S TR 32mm using 58 psi on the rear.
Installation was better than most tubeless gravel tires. I used a compressor and they snapped into place on the first try. I added sealant through the valve and they are holding air well. I've been riding them on 50/50 gravel and pavement. I've been using between 32-38 psi . They roll very well on hardpack and pavement. These could be my go to for fast gravel / higher ratio of pavement. If riding a higher ratio of gravel (esp with known chunky gravel and/or washboard), I'd pick wider mtb tires to run more like 24 psi.
After years of riding on 25mm tires, I recently made the switch to the Continental Grand Prix 4 Season in 700x28, and the difference has been nothing short of transformative. Mounted on my Reynolds Strike carbon wheels, the fit was snug ' definitely a tight install ' but once seated, they've proven to be a stellar match for my Canyon Aeroad. Clearance was no issue, which was a pleasant surprise given the Aeroad's aggressive geometry.
Living and riding in Washington means dealing with a lot of small rocks, road debris, and unpredictable weather. These tires have handled it all with confidence. The puncture protection has been rock solid so far, and the added volume of the 28s has noticeably improved ride comfort without sacrificing speed. The increased air volume smooths out chip-seal roads and rough patches, making long rides less fatiguing.
Where the GP 4 Seasons really shine is in their all-weather performance. Traction and cornering are excellent ' even on cold, wet days when most tires start to feel sketchy. Whether I'm descending twisty roads or navigating damp, leaf-strewn shoulders, these tires inspire trust.
If you're looking for a durable, high-performance tire that can handle the grit and grime of real-world riding ' especially in the Pacific Northwest ' the GP 4 Season in 700x28 is a worthy upgrade. Just be prepared for a bit of a wrestling match during installation, especially on tighter carbon rims.
This is going to be a little different... I saw a video on youtube with Caden from Caden wheels explaining how he used sealant in TPU tubes with tubeless tires. Not TPU specific sealant, just tubeless sealant. He claimed the sealant lasted longer because there wasn't as much evaporation from inside the TPU tube and that the chances of a burp flat went dramatically down.
I decided to try it and here's the result so far. TPU tubes in this tire with sealant have been flat free through the Tour de Tucson and several hundred miles more. These tires roll and corner great and have been reliable. I won't know if I've gotten any punctures until I get one that's so big the sealant won't fill it or I take the tire off to replace it, but so far Caden has been right.
