No tire that rolls well and provides an acceptable ride is puncture proof. This tire has enough rubber that it will handle riding over road crap that isn't pointed or sharp enough to cut through the tire. If you want to bank the odds further in favor of handling sharp pointed nails, glass, etc., go for a tire like the Top Contact. You then trade a smooth roll for the extra rubber that can handle bigger glass and small staples or nails. If you are willing to accept some road cuts in favor of speed, go for the Grand Prix 4000s. Still durable, but faster. I ride on the Grand Prix 4 Season 23, 25, 28 and 32. I love the 32's. At that size, there is enough rubber to handle Winter in the Northwest. Nonetheless, when you ride over that sharp piece of glass that cuts through your new tire turning it into a throw-away, it hurts. Good alternatives I use are Schwalbe Marathon Supreme and Panaracer Pasela or T-Serv. They also have their trade-off characteristics. The GP4 Season is a huge favorite of mine.
In-city commuter, utility, and light recreational rider, overall about 50 miles per week. Replaced a worn-out pair of Gatorskins (6000 miles with 1 flat in 3 years!!) with these and immediately noticed the lighter weight and more responsive road feel. I agree with another reviewer that the Grand Prixs are easier to mount on the wheel then Gatorskins - I was able to mount one with a bit of muscle on a Salsa Delgado rim, and the other on a Mavic A319 after warming up the tire briefly in the sun. The Gatorskins required me to use tire levers every time. A bit pricey but shaping up to be worth every penny.
I put these on my Trek 5200, and oldie but goodie, and they feel just great. Here in N. Georgia there's lots of hills that get you up to speed quickly, and these tires roll like a dream. Unfortunately, a good amount of sharp junk on the sides of the roads to ruin your day, but no flats yet. Wonderful grip on high speed turns gives confidence when hitting them hard. The price was great also. I'll be staying with these for awhile.
Love this tire for its durability and performance.
These have got to be the hardest tire ever to get on a rim. I unfortunately did not learn my lesson after I pinched 3 tubes trying to get these on DT Swiss 1800 rims. I left this tire out in the sun, used soapy water to try and get this to slip over the rim. On the 5th tube, I finally got it on without pinching the tube. Aired it up and it is so out of round, like it is bulging to one side. Spinning it, it looks like a zig-zag pattern and not straight at all. Worst experience ever for a tire and it doesn't even have any pavement time, Returning
I use the Continental Grand Prix 4-Season with Vectran for all-around training on the road. They are virtually problem free, and are more likely to simply wear out than to puncture. I typically get over 5K miles on the rear wheel, and considerably more on the front. They also roll well, and work just fine for training races.
I've had a very good experience with the Continental Grand Prix 4-Season Road Tires I have purchased. Long life, ease of replacing, and good value
Great tire for the average amateur road cyclist, very few flats, but still very fast and good feel.
Today I had the the rear tire tread split by a sharp rock on a logging road paved with golf ball sized rocks. When I guesstimated the wear on this GP 4, I realized it had close to 4000 miles :) I immediately ordered a replacement of this great tire!
Very responsive and durable tire.
Best tires
Best tires
I commute year-round (18.5 miles each way over varying road surface including several miles of unswept shoulder with glass, debris, gravel, and dead critters). I've been using Vittoria Rubino Pro for my commute but after several flats (wire shards and glass) decided to go tougher during the winter.
I read lots of reviews, but my experience with this tire on our tandem has been fine. I decided to try a 25mm rear, 23 mm front.
Since the majority of my riding is now in the dark (curse you Ben Franklin!), I usually can't spot debris until it's too late. No matter - these tires just roll on through.
I have 500 miles on the pair and there is no visible wear yet. I run them at 90 PSI each. I'm not chasing KOMs this time of year but I haven't noticed any slowing due to tires.
These are excellent commuter-trainer tires. I can highly recommend.
If you ride on a road with lots of radial wire, glass, and rocks, this is the best tire you can use. great puncture resistance and great sidewall protection, so much better than the 5000 tires that have very weak sidewall protection and wear resistance is also very good
My serious racer friend recommended these tires. I am not racing and I ride 50-100 mile rides. What a difference. Only one draw-back. I hope I will remember how to change a flat.
Only put around 125 miles on them so far but they have been as good as everybody has said they'd be. I'm a bigger guy 6'2 230 and the roads where I live are sometimes horrid and rough chip and seal. These tires ride well, roll very well and feel great.
Great tire, pretty much no flats.
700x28 went 2500Km down the lenght of the Cascade Mountains on the front wheel without a single flat. The traction is truely amaizing. But most of all I tour with clip-on aero bars and the smoothness of the ride coming up through the fork even on chip and seal road was way better than any tire I have toured with. When ever the 700x32 4-Seasons come in I will be putting one on my rear touring wheel.
I have been commuting and day riding with the 700x25 4s and find it an outstanding tire in Portland's rain and slush.
These are great tires. I have been using Gatorskins for many years and really like their durabilty, but wanted a faster and better handling tire for longer rides. I researched a lot of tires, and I am really happy with the GP 4-Seasons. They are quick, smooth, and grippy. I highly recommend these tires for all-around training and distance rides.
I use these tires to train on the roads near West Palm Beach, FL. Great bike lanes, but they're full of glass. These tires seem impervious to slashing. I've worn two sets of them down to the cords which is always satisfying for me. I've rarely been able to wear tires out as most have been destroyed in some other manner. They're only slightly slower than the Conti 4000s I use on club rides. I prefer the ride of the 4 season as it seems less bouncy than the 4000.
