subframe

I know all about flats coming in threes, but shredded sidewalls????

I guess the conti GP4000s aren't gonna cut it. Armadillos here I come.

/vent

Zinn-X

Odd... I had the same issue on one of my Conti GP4000. It was basically brand new and I didn't go over anything that should have shredded it, but it got all jacked up anyway. Shop said it was my fault and sold me another one at cost...

I still like the tires though. They're very light and they grip well. Maybe if you can get 100 miles on them, you'll likely get another 1500...

mustang1

Give gatorskin a shot. Almost the flat-resistance of armadillo but a lot less rolling resistance.

KevinF

Conti's are absolutely useless for flat protection. Armadillo's have unbelievable flat protection, but they have no road feel -- just a plastic feeling. I've been using Vredestein Fortezza tires for years; I think they're great.

Val23708

GP4000 or GP4000s (theres a difference)

What kind of surface are you riding on? Gravel roads?

Perhaps your source of Conti's is bad? I read somewhere that there are a bunch of fake ones floating around...

1/4 of the people I race with ride GP4000's and dont seem to have problems.

feethanddooth

i have had to true the same wheel three times in the same week. and it came un true again. im taking the thing back to the LBS to get it fixed or replaced. pft

neospazzy

I rode two centuries on a pair of GP 4000S (Black Chilis) as well as 80-100 miles per weekend since January. No issues here.

StanSeven

Something is definately wrong. I used to some problems with prior versions of Conti (think it was 3000) but the 4000 and especially 4000S are great tires. I wouldn't recommend anything other than 4000 or 4000s and Michelon Pro 3.

ARe you riding through a lot or gravel and moderate speed? That's the only thing that can cut sidewalls I know of. Perhaps you got some fake Conti as another epsron suggested.

If you like riding fast, forget about Armadillo's. While they do offer flat protection, that's mostly in the part making contact with the road. They have an awful feel to them. Unless you ride through constant road debris, regular/race/training tires are the way to go

acorn_user

Gravel roads are much nicer to tyres than city roads covered in glass and nails. I've never had an issue with gravel and I ride gravel roads when I can

StanSeven

It's the leaning in gravel that cuts sidewalls

Campag4life

Leaning in gravel cuts more than sidewalls
OP...run higher tire pressure if you aren't at the right pressure for your weight.

rizz

Sounds like what we have here is a case of operator error or incorrect application.

I stopped getting flats when I switched to the GP4000 for my 20 mile commute every day and found they were lively enough to give me a confident feel through 25 MPH corners during crits.

Retro Grouch 

Right conclusion, wrong data.

Armadillos are made by wrapping what would be a puncture prevention belt all the way from bead to bead. The result is a very cut resistant sidewall that is also very, very stiff.

For a tire with low rolling resistance and better road feel you want one with a very supple sidewall.

subframe

Just got back.

Thanks for the input folks. I got two of the Conti's (4000, not 4000s) at different places, so I doubt the source is bad, but who knows. I'm just riding on streets both rural and city, but no gravel per se.

I am torn - the chances of getting a 4th shredded tire are probably really really low, and I would likely get 1500 miles out of my next one. But that's a somewhat pricy theory to keep testing

ah well...

cuski

3000+ kms on a pair of Gatorskins. They're bulletproof. Rear tire isn't even showing signs of flat spotting yet.