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
I hesitated a long time before prying my wallet open, but I'm glad I did.
These tires are really durable. I weigh 232 lbs. and have a couple hundred miles on them. A typical ride for me starts in town and heads into the county over varied terrain-good roads, rough roads, road construction gravel, potholes, glass, and an occassional railroad crossing. Still look like new. No cuts, flats or debris sticking in the rubber. I do make an effort to dodge glass and such. No tire is flat-proof.
I really like the performance. The carcass feels tough, but the rubber is sticky and is wearing well. Great grip. Roll easy. I run 98psi in front, and 108psi in back. Sounds funny but it gives me a smooth ride and excellent handling. It's like they connect straight up through the bike to me. Very nice.
I don't like to talk about the small number of flats I've had riding these tires since 2005. Don't want to stir the god of flat tires into action. These tires hug the road in all weather and give you great performance. While they are more expensive than other durable tires, it's worth the difference not to have flats to deal with. They are, however, a bear to get off and on when you do have your "yearly" flat. The solution is to ride with friends who have strong fingers!
Excellent tire overall. Pricey but worth every penny. I've bought 2 sets last winter, which was unusually wet in California, have ridden 200 miles a week on average experiencing lots of grip and NO flats! throughout the season. Did not notice any excessive drag or terrible lack of responsiveness considering it is an all around tire and must be some kind of compromise to equally perform in different conditions. Bottom line, I am satisfied and will buy again.
Having read so many positive reviews about these tires, there is not much I can add nevertheless, I would like to say that I am very, very happy with their overall performance. But above all, I want to be certain that while speeding or going down hill that my tires will not end up with flats or side wall burst. Regardless the quality of a tire, its performance depends by and large on the bicycle. I hope that continental shall never discontinue these tires.
I've ridden at least 6000 miles a year over the past decade, so I've gone through a lot of tires. I've tried almost every one of the better performance tires available and if I had to pick one that delivers the best compromise between dry and wet weather traction, durability, flat protection, ride quality and rolling resistance, this would be the one. Now, I have to say that I value performance pretty high, so there are definitely more durable and bullet proof tires out there, but if you're like me and enjoy a competitive club ride, but don't want to be left behind fixing a flat, these are the one to beat.
Best tire EVER! I'm an oversized rider compared to most. I'm 6'3" 240lbs. I ride 5-6 times per week with mileage averages at 24 miles per ride. These tires are the best for getting you out and back, period! Rain, hot pavement, stones, screws, glass, bolts, sheet metal, and whatever else is on the side of the road doesn't seem to come close to causing a flat. I use to change flats with my Michelin tires at least 4-7 times per year. I have had ZERO flats since switching to Conti's. Do it! You won't regret it. However, I'm NOT happy about the $60 dollar price tag. They were $40 bucks 2 years ago??
You ridin' or you hidin'?
G
I have been riding these tires for almost 2 full seasons, and have put about 3500 - 4000 miles on them so far. I had a blow out of the tire after apparently hitting something sharp. This is the first flat I have had in all of this time riding in New England. They have been durable, and flat resistant till now, so I will buy another pair of Contis to replace these. The rear tire was ridden last winter on my trainer, and lost it's roundness looks kind of squared off in profile, but it has not affected either ridability or durability.
I live in Puerto Rico. Flat roads hardly exist here, mostly hills, steep hills or very steep hills. Once you make it to the top your faced with a steep down hill leading to curvy turns. These tires grip well on those turns and ride through small broken glass debris with no problems. The down side to them is that they arent too attractive. But Ill gladly sacrifice this minor inconvenience for safety and durability. It feels great to complete a training route without having to stop to fix a flat, or worse, stopping because the side wall of the tire was slashed. I recommend them to any one who spend too much time fixing flats and not enough time training .
-Andr from MOCA PR.
These tires are a bit pricey but they hug the wet slick roads like fly on flypaper. Ran over some keawe Hawaiian Mesquite and no flats. Had Gatorskins for many years and thought they were the best puncture resistant tires out there but these beat them hands down. With the Gatorskins though, it slipped a little when the raods were damp. A bit tight that I have to muscle them onto my DT Swiss R1.1 rims.
Tandem mfrs put this on their race tandems, so it goes on our wannabe race tandem. It is a very light tire for what you get. We are on our second set of 28c's, and only one flat at about 28mph on the front. Enough sidewall to roll good while flat too...
Likes: Fast, light, strong, excellent cornering, excellent traction in all weather conditions, supple road feel and smooth riding at any pressure from 80 psi on up, durable, you can't hardly find thorns strong enough to flat this tire. Worry-rocks are about the only threat.
Dislikes: About average as far as ease of mounting, but not difficult with the right thumb pressure. Be sure you don't pinch the tube between the tire and the rim when mounting, visually inspect all the way around the rim both sides to make sure your tube is inside the casing before putting the air to it.
I swear by this tire, used it in Alaska for the Fireweed 400 mile race, Adirondack 540 mile race, Furnace Creek 508 mile race across Death Valley and Mohave, 24 hour races in Florida. Race Across America Solo, all races included dry, wet, ice, snow, wind, gravel, very rough roads across Kansas and Missouri.
Not to mention all of the multi-century training days for preparation for all of these races.
These tires are FLAWLESS, very easy to handle, mount and change. Great for steep climbs in wet conditions, really holds the road with almost no slipping.
These tires are my first choice, and I am not sponsored by Continental!
