I use the 25mm/95psi and 28mm/85psi versions of this tire on my two road bikes. For me they have the flat protection of a Gatorskin but provide a smoother (less harsh), more responsive ride. They probably don't last as long as Gatorskins, I get about 2,000 miles on the rear at which time I move it to the front and throw the old front away. The compound is fairly soft but provides excellent grip. I don't recommend these tires if you're prone to rear wheel lock under hard braking as you will quickly be down to the cords. I've ridden these tires from Seattle to LA, from San Francisco to Boston and from New Mexico to North Dakota. During that time I've only experienced one front flat which was my fault crossing some RR tracks.
With the Gators glass will embed and you have to get it out every once in a while, this doesn't happen with these because the rubber isn't thick enough and the compound is softer. I wore my rear tire down to the threads underneath in about 1500-2000 miles without rotation. These are lighter and grippier than Gators but last less. When bought on sale they are an awesome bang for the buck. The bike I use these on gets one new one a year and the front moves to the back. Only flat I had was with a 25 CC on MTB trails and got a pinch flat, not the tires fault at all.
i ride about 5000 miles a year and used to get flats from goatshead, glass, etc, but since i started using the 4-season tire, i ride all year long without flatting.(I have had a flat tire due to a road tack, but nothing is going to stop a tack) also, the tire side is very pliable so it makes it easier to change. But, it helps to buy this when it is on sale as a little pricey.
I've used the 4-season for about 3 years on 3 different bikes. I've ridden the 700x23 as an all-purpose training/racing tire. I've taken the 700x28 out for epic gravel adventures where I should have been riding a 'cross tire(the tire survived without any punctures and confident handling). I also use this tire as my de-facto, go to, all-purpose road tire on my Cannondale SuperSix Evo. Whether I'm riding hot, sticky asphalt, or shredding on some of Oregon's premier gravel roads, this is one of the best pieces of equipment I could ask for.
I have used the tire for everyday riding and brevets, including a 600k event. Having had positive experience with Conti 4000s tires before, I was looking for a tire with race casing, some puncture protection and larger volume, 28c or better. Conti GP4S is one of few options out there.
Before the GP4S, I have tried Schwalbe Ultremo 28c, Michelin Pro3 Race 25c, Vittoria Open Corsa Evo 25c, Challenge Paris Roubaix 27c and Grand Bois Cerf 28c, all higher volume race lever tires, and also Panaracer Pasela 28c, more of an all around tire. GP4S has slightly harsher and slower ride compared to other race tires, although the margin is small. It is considerably nicer riding compared to Pasela. GP4S 28c has about the same volume as Michelin Pro3 25c, and is smaller than Ultremo, Paris Roubaix or Grand Bois. But what it gives in outright speed and comfort, it gains back in quality and durability. Other than some glass punctures (less frequent than other tires save Pasela), I had zero issues with GP4S. No mysterious sidewall bulges, no tread separation, and as long as I don't roll over a patch of broken glass, it stays whole.
I would not use GP4S in a time trial but for all other uses, including amateur racing, the tire works great. With a 6'3, 180 pound rider I'd say the read tire is good for 1500-2000 miles, which is better than other race tires. It's a compromise tire in every aspect, but a darn good one. Recommended!
Replaced OEM Conti Race tires after 2k mi and many puncture flats on two bikes. Rear tires then replaced due to wear at 5.5k and 7.5k mi on my and wife's bikes. Rider weights 155130 lb, tires 700x23. Fronts replaced at 11.5k and 8.5k mi after 30 months of use due mainly to large number of tiny cracks in aging rubber. Punctures too few to remember, no more than 3 or 4 in total. We ride Chicago lakefront paths (glass)and secondary chip seal roads (usual road debris, but not like city street trash) Weight, handling & road feel are better than that of Gatorskins on our touring bikes but same protection. Might consider Conti GP4000S chili next time, but very satisfied.
Been using this tire for a few years in various sizes, 700X25 and 28 for general riding in my zone which is inner mountain paved and gravel roads of the Trinity National Forest. this tire handles all conditions, winter and summer with ease and when in new or newish condition, gives me the best flat and side wall protection in a light weight tire that I have ever gotten. To me, this tires downsides are that it wears fairly quickly on the rear and near the end of it's tread life tends to be more flat prone. Also it is not true to the size listed, being somewhat smaller than advertized in both the 25's and 28's. The GP 4 season does not handle quite as well as the 4000 series but it is way more capable on rough pavement and gravel. I'm sticking with this tire.
Limited mileage (600) so longer term durability is still an unknown.
Size purchased were the 700c x 25mm. No visible wear issues from riding sections of gravel road, hitting broken sections of pavement at moderate speeds (25mph) and some unavoidable road garbage. Purchased these tires for spring riding conditions. Up here that means frost heaved & cracked pavement, washed out sections of road that are gravel patched, remnants of sandsalt from winter, wet pavement. Lowest recommended psi is 95. Have ridden with the front down to 90psi without any issues. I'm relatively light in weight (128 in the spring). On the rims used mounting the tires did not require the use of tire levers. On an identical set of rims needed to use a PrestaLever tire tool to mount a pair of Schwalles.
1st set of clinchers used since the early 80's. Have been a tubular only user since those days. From the 90's have stuck with Cont. Sprinters. The ride quality of the 4S in terms of comfort was better than expected. 25mm allowing lower psi may be the reason. Traction is good under all conditions at slow to moderate speeds and at shallow to moderate angles. Compared to the Sprinters on dry & clean pavement the 4S do not provide the same stick & confidence hitting a high speed & tightening radius curve.
My racing days are long, long over. Just a FGSS cruiser today. These tires fit that need. Comfort after couple hours in the saddle, dependable, adequate traction
and hopefully durable tires.
I am a 52 year old guy who rides year round in northern California. My typical ride is about 30 miles, longer when I can, and I log about 3500 miles per year.
These have become my go-to tires. They have that perfect balance of long wear, smooth, controlled ride, and puncture resistance. They're good in wet and dry weather. I have tried several other road tires - Vredestiens, some Michelins, as well as other Conti's, but these are the goldilocks of tires.
I have had them on for 11 months, and they've got about 3500 miles on them. I did rotate front to back about 1500 miles ago as the rear was starting to wear. They have plenty of little cuts, but have resisted puncture the whole year. This is quite a contrast to all the other tires I've used, which would have been cut through long ago by the hazards these guys have endured.
They are not cheap, but the are a great value. The only minus is that they are slightly less supple & grippy than the best riding road tires, but those tend to wear out in 500 miles. I recommend these ones to every rider who asks.
These went on my aluminum Trek supported touring bike. I have over 1000 miles on them and they hardly look worn-the front still has moulding flash on it. No flats, handles great, easy to fit on my wheels. Excellent in damp and wet weather, too. Can't think of any downsides.
As the name suggests, these are great for spring training. Good low rolling resistance tires. I rode them for several hundred miles at really good speeds. Good for hard pack gravel, but not for the softer stuff. I will put them back on next spring or later this fall to complete the season.
These are the best tires ever. The last tires that I had were the same model and had over 3000 miles on. I put new ones on because I was going on a big ride, but kept the ones I took off. I would not buy any other and I ride in the northwest, rain, bad roads, ice. Have never had a flat.
Perfect traction and weight for racing. Easy to install too.
There isn't much to dislike with this tire. Where I live, the winters are cold and the roads tend to stay wet in the areas where snow melts and runs across them so the GP 4 season's tread compounds and supple case give me more confidence in corners in those cold and wet conditions. The flat protection works great as I get very very few flats. Rocks are a big issue on our forest roads all year and with the side wall protection these tires have, I don't get any flats or blowouts from rock cuts. I ride all year through and have been doing so for the past 28 years and I'm not buying these to be following someone else' idea of a good tire. I have tried many others and the Conti 700x25 GP 4 Season is worth sticking with. I rate this tire at the top of any list.
I use the conti grand prix 4 season tires in the early part of the cycling season. It's my go to tire when there's still a fair bit of winter sand and debris on the roads. These tires also perform very well in wet conditions. By the first week in June I switch over to standard grand prix 4000's.
Love these tires. Great all around tire. High priced but good value when they go on sale.
commute 18 miles per day. Long rides on weekends. Hotter n Hell .
Ride is good wear seems to be good. No punctures for all winter on trash roads!!
Difficult to mount when new.
This is a great, fast-riding, excellent handling light touring tire. Using it on my aluminum Trek for supported touring rides. It's not the cheapest tire out there, but it works for my need and has high puncture resistance.
28mm for winter riding on a carbon cyclocross.
I've ridden these about 5,000 miles in suburban and urban commuting now with a total of 3 flats, two of which were valve problems so not the tires' fault. Also a couple of century rides on them. They're a little expensive but overall a great deal in light of their durability and worry-free performance.
