Conti GP5000 after 400 miles
05-10-19, 01:06 PM
#51
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Well irony of ironies, I hit a rock this morning and damaged my sidewall 1 mile into a 100 mile ride 
It was sort of my own fault though...this was at 4am in the dark, with a light on the low setting because I couldnt remember the last time I charged it, and wanted to make sure it lasted until sunrise.
It's really not bad though...a good scrape on the sidewall. No loss of air, though it does appear it knicked a couple casing threads that are fluffed up and poking through the rubber. Realistically...the tire is probably fine, but even I'm not ballsy enough to test it in a crit. I'll retire it to service as the rear tire on my commuter I think.
This probably means I'll test out the GP5000 with tubes. Maybe go for latex now.
Oddly, I feel this sort of reinforces my position that most/many flats are caused by dopes (like me) blasting through construction areas in the dark with insufficient lighting, or refusing to air up their tires regularly.
It was sort of my own fault though...this was at 4am in the dark, with a light on the low setting because I couldnt remember the last time I charged it, and wanted to make sure it lasted until sunrise.It's really not bad though...a good scrape on the sidewall. No loss of air, though it does appear it knicked a couple casing threads that are fluffed up and poking through the rubber. Realistically...the tire is probably fine, but even I'm not ballsy enough to test it in a crit. I'll retire it to service as the rear tire on my commuter I think.
This probably means I'll test out the GP5000 with tubes. Maybe go for latex now.
Oddly, I feel this sort of reinforces my position that most/many flats are caused by dopes (like me) blasting through construction areas in the dark with insufficient lighting, or refusing to air up their tires regularly.
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05-10-19, 01:13 PM
#52
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Sidewall cuts are the fault of the rider, not the tire, though of course one can run heavy sidewall tires, but they're slow. I'd rather avoid rocks and run enough pressure to prevent pinch flats.
My 4000 IIs tires are the best I've ever run on our tandem or my singles in terms of tread cuts. Michelin Endurance were possibly the worst. What happens to tires around here are small tread cuts from whatever, maybe 3/16" long, which don't cause a flat immediately. I've had Endurance tires with maybe 10 or so of these of varying sizes. Sooner or later though, they pick up a bit of debris, glass, flint, whatever, which sits in the cut and eventually works its way through the casing and causes a flat. I once had 5 flats on a 50 mile rain ride while running a pair of cut Endurance tires. Yes, I threw them away when I got home, and yes I pick out the debris between rides.
On the good side, my 4000 IIs are the most cut-free tires I've ever run. It's the tread material. Whatever Conti is using, it's the best. I've run over lots and lots of glass with the 4000s. Seldom a flat, seldom a tread cut.
I'm looking forward to running my new 5000s, but I'll have to wait until I wear out my 4000s, so maybe next year.
My 4000 IIs tires are the best I've ever run on our tandem or my singles in terms of tread cuts. Michelin Endurance were possibly the worst. What happens to tires around here are small tread cuts from whatever, maybe 3/16" long, which don't cause a flat immediately. I've had Endurance tires with maybe 10 or so of these of varying sizes. Sooner or later though, they pick up a bit of debris, glass, flint, whatever, which sits in the cut and eventually works its way through the casing and causes a flat. I once had 5 flats on a 50 mile rain ride while running a pair of cut Endurance tires. Yes, I threw them away when I got home, and yes I pick out the debris between rides.
On the good side, my 4000 IIs are the most cut-free tires I've ever run. It's the tread material. Whatever Conti is using, it's the best. I've run over lots and lots of glass with the 4000s. Seldom a flat, seldom a tread cut.
I'm looking forward to running my new 5000s, but I'll have to wait until I wear out my 4000s, so maybe next year.
05-10-19, 01:29 PM
#53
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Well irony of ironies, I hit a rock this morning and damaged my sidewall 1 mile into a 100 mile ride It was sort of my own fault though...this was at 4am in the dark, with a light on the low setting because I couldnt remember the last time I charged it, and wanted to make sure it lasted until sunrise.
Oddly, I feel this sort of reinforces my position that most/many flats are caused by dopes (like me) blasting through construction areas in the dark with insufficient lighting, or refusing to air up their tires regularly.
It was sort of my own fault though...this was at 4am in the dark, with a light on the low setting because I couldnt remember the last time I charged it, and wanted to make sure it lasted until sunrise.Oddly, I feel this sort of reinforces my position that most/many flats are caused by dopes (like me) blasting through construction areas in the dark with insufficient lighting, or refusing to air up their tires regularly.
05-10-19, 01:43 PM
#54
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Well irony of ironies, I hit a rock this morning and damaged my sidewall 1 mile into a 100 mile ride It was sort of my own fault though...this was at 4am in the dark, with a light on the low setting because I couldnt remember the last time I charged it, and wanted to make sure it lasted until sunrise.
It's really not bad though...a good scrape on the sidewall. No loss of air, though it does appear it knicked a couple casing threads that are fluffed up and poking through the rubber. Realistically...the tire is probably fine, but even I'm not ballsy enough to test it in a crit. I'll retire it to service as the rear tire on my commuter I think.
This probably means I'll test out the GP5000 with tubes. Maybe go for latex now.
Oddly, I feel this sort of reinforces my position that most/many flats are caused by dopes (like me) blasting through construction areas in the dark with insufficient lighting, or refusing to air up their tires regularly.
It was sort of my own fault though...this was at 4am in the dark, with a light on the low setting because I couldnt remember the last time I charged it, and wanted to make sure it lasted until sunrise.It's really not bad though...a good scrape on the sidewall. No loss of air, though it does appear it knicked a couple casing threads that are fluffed up and poking through the rubber. Realistically...the tire is probably fine, but even I'm not ballsy enough to test it in a crit. I'll retire it to service as the rear tire on my commuter I think.
This probably means I'll test out the GP5000 with tubes. Maybe go for latex now.
Oddly, I feel this sort of reinforces my position that most/many flats are caused by dopes (like me) blasting through construction areas in the dark with insufficient lighting, or refusing to air up their tires regularly.
05-10-19, 01:50 PM
#55
Senior Member
05-10-19, 01:57 PM
#56
Senior Member
So, IMO it doesn't really matter if sidewall cuts are the fault of the rider and if you to say it's user error. The fact is humans will commit errors in judgement. It's actually one good reason to wear a helmet. What matters is what tradeoffs are willing to be accepted and to what degree, in order to achieve other benefits. If you're not racing, are you better off on a 5000 vs. some type of 'endurance' model road tire?
edit: In light of recent experiences, I think my above post may have just ****ed me again.
Last edited by Abe_Froman; 05-10-19 at 02:49 PM.
05-10-19, 01:59 PM
#57
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So, IMO it doesn't really matter if sidewall cuts are the fault of the rider and if you to say it's user error. The fact is humans will commit errors in judgement. It's actually one good reason to wear a helmet. What matters is what tradeoffs are willing to be accepted and to what degree, in order to achieve other benefits. If you're not racing, are you better off on a 5000 vs. some type of 'endurance' model road tire?
05-10-19, 02:15 PM
#58
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05-10-19, 02:20 PM
#59
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I run GP4000s on my purely commuter bike. Hell, I ran one on the trainer all winter as well. Personally, I don't see why anyone would want a significantly tougher tire; with exceptions of course. Winter use. I really don't want to be changing a tire on the side of the road in the snow when it's 10F outside. I'm willing to suffer my 15lb winter compound tires to avoid the potential of flatting. Also if I lived somewhere these mythical tire attacking goat thingies are, I'd probably go to a tougher tire if I averaged more than 1 flat every 50 miles. Also, if I didn't actually know how to change a flat, or couldn't do it in less than 10 minutes. Of course...that last one would seem to be good incentive to spend some time practicing fixing flats, rather than suffer bad riding tires. But, to each his own, I suppose.
Other tire manufacturers have less drastic jumps (eg. Michelin Power Comp vs Endurance is a 12watt to ~15 watt, or even cheaper Krylion2 exists at 16 watt). Pirelli's PZero vs PZero-4season, similar smaller jumps in RR (13 vs 16 watts, etc)
05-10-19, 02:46 PM
#60
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I'm relatively new to road biking but the majority of my riding is on some of the crappiest backroads imaginable. A lot of them haven't been paved in 30 years and are just a series of patches and potholes. Since they are not heavily used, there is plenty of debris.
I put on 4000II's about 1500 miles ago and have had one flat, which was actually in town in an area with new home construction. Otherwise they've been great. No sidewall issues and wearing reasonably well. The rear will need to be changed reasonably soon and I'll probably put on another one.
I think that a lot of the flat thing is more about bad luck than it is the tire. If you got a flat on x tire, you probably would have gotten it with y tire as well.
I put on 4000II's about 1500 miles ago and have had one flat, which was actually in town in an area with new home construction. Otherwise they've been great. No sidewall issues and wearing reasonably well. The rear will need to be changed reasonably soon and I'll probably put on another one.
I think that a lot of the flat thing is more about bad luck than it is the tire. If you got a flat on x tire, you probably would have gotten it with y tire as well.
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05-10-19, 03:25 PM
#61
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We were leading the ride on our tandem. One rider was nice enough to stay with us. We used our 2 tubes, her 2 tubes, and had to patch one. I hate patching in the rain. Around here, everyone carries 2 tubes and many of us also a spare tire. One buddy always carries 4 tubes.
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05-10-19, 03:34 PM
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There are no perfect choices, it's all a compromise.
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05-10-19, 04:47 PM
#63
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I’m with the thought that frequent flats are due to riding style. I’ve used GP4000’s for years. Zero flats last year and one the prior season but that was a pinch flat. I don’t attribute my luck to just the tires. I just say that I’ve had no issues with the Conti’s.
I’m 61 and about 200 pounds. I unload over bumps and avoid potholes and debris whenever possible.
This season I’m riding on the Specialized tires that came on my NOS 2017 Roubaix Sport SL4. In limited riding so far of about 150 miles they have been flawless. So maybe it’s my riding style that creates my good fortune.
I’m 61 and about 200 pounds. I unload over bumps and avoid potholes and debris whenever possible.
This season I’m riding on the Specialized tires that came on my NOS 2017 Roubaix Sport SL4. In limited riding so far of about 150 miles they have been flawless. So maybe it’s my riding style that creates my good fortune.
05-10-19, 06:39 PM
#64
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Was riding on my bike with GP5000 TLs and heard a loud bang and then I pulled over to see what it was and a nice chunk of the tire came off There was nothing on the road and these tires have roughly 500 miles on them. Still ride-able?
There was nothing on the road and these tires have roughly 500 miles on them. Still ride-able?
05-10-19, 06:51 PM
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Sure, they're rideable, but just don't be committing human error and riding over any pebbles or the like..
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05-10-19, 10:19 PM
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I feel kinda like you guys jinxed me.
It's been over a year since my last roadside flat on GP4000S2 tires. After reading this, I got mildly concerned and started riding very carefully. Around mile 10, the rear tire went flat - some gross piece of plastic got stuck in the tube. Oops!
It's been over a year since my last roadside flat on GP4000S2 tires. After reading this, I got mildly concerned and started riding very carefully. Around mile 10, the rear tire went flat - some gross piece of plastic got stuck in the tube. Oops!
05-10-19, 11:13 PM
#67
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GP4000S II on wide HED Ardennes+ rims:
The first 15000 miles on these wheels: Just a few punctures -- a piece of glass, a sharp metal bit and a fine wire from a car/truck tire.
I'm seeing way fewer tread cuts than 10 years ago. Perhaps there's less glass on the road, with more plastic bottles.
The next 5000 miles: I got two pinch flats in one year, both from a large, sharp gravel chunk sitting on an otherwise clean road. Both on somewhat fast downhills.
So, it's random bad luck on flats. The OP might not get another one for years.
Mileage
Probably 3500-4000 miles on the rear tire, then a bit less mileage when I move the old front tire to the back and put a new one on the front. The tire that was moved to the back often still has the mold line down the center of the tread, essentially no tread wear from being on the front wheel.
The first 15000 miles on these wheels: Just a few punctures -- a piece of glass, a sharp metal bit and a fine wire from a car/truck tire.
I'm seeing way fewer tread cuts than 10 years ago. Perhaps there's less glass on the road, with more plastic bottles.
The next 5000 miles: I got two pinch flats in one year, both from a large, sharp gravel chunk sitting on an otherwise clean road. Both on somewhat fast downhills.
So, it's random bad luck on flats. The OP might not get another one for years.
Mileage
Probably 3500-4000 miles on the rear tire, then a bit less mileage when I move the old front tire to the back and put a new one on the front. The tire that was moved to the back often still has the mold line down the center of the tread, essentially no tread wear from being on the front wheel.
Last edited by rm -rf; 05-10-19 at 11:22 PM.
05-10-19, 11:17 PM
#68
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GP5000 vs GP4000S II:
I've only had these 5000s for a few weeks. First impressions are that they seem a little more precise on fast turns. It seems to be a bit harder to hold my line when riding very slow on steep hills -- down near 3 mph. I might be imagining the difference, though.
They are a bit narrower than the GP4000S II.
25mm GP4000 on 20.5 ID rims: measured 29mm
25mm GP5000 on 20.5 ID rims: measured 28mm
I've only had these 5000s for a few weeks. First impressions are that they seem a little more precise on fast turns. It seems to be a bit harder to hold my line when riding very slow on steep hills -- down near 3 mph. I might be imagining the difference, though.
They are a bit narrower than the GP4000S II.
25mm GP4000 on 20.5 ID rims: measured 29mm
25mm GP5000 on 20.5 ID rims: measured 28mm
05-11-19, 07:21 PM
#69
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Yes...
Anyway, I took my first ride with the Michelin Power Endurance today. No, they don't ride as nice as the GP 5000 does, but, well, I rode through some crap. No flats, no cuts. At this point I'll give up a little speed for no flats.
05-11-19, 07:23 PM
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Hope you're right
GP4000S II on wide HED Ardennes+ rims:
The first 15000 miles on these wheels: Just a few punctures -- a piece of glass, a sharp metal bit and a fine wire from a car/truck tire.
I'm seeing way fewer tread cuts than 10 years ago. Perhaps there's less glass on the road, with more plastic bottles.
The next 5000 miles: I got two pinch flats in one year, both from a large, sharp gravel chunk sitting on an otherwise clean road. Both on somewhat fast downhills.
So, it's random bad luck on flats. The OP might not get another one for years.
Mileage
Probably 3500-4000 miles on the rear tire, then a bit less mileage when I move the old front tire to the back and put a new one on the front. The tire that was moved to the back often still has the mold line down the center of the tread, essentially no tread wear from being on the front wheel.
The first 15000 miles on these wheels: Just a few punctures -- a piece of glass, a sharp metal bit and a fine wire from a car/truck tire.
I'm seeing way fewer tread cuts than 10 years ago. Perhaps there's less glass on the road, with more plastic bottles.
The next 5000 miles: I got two pinch flats in one year, both from a large, sharp gravel chunk sitting on an otherwise clean road. Both on somewhat fast downhills.
So, it's random bad luck on flats. The OP might not get another one for years.
Mileage
Probably 3500-4000 miles on the rear tire, then a bit less mileage when I move the old front tire to the back and put a new one on the front. The tire that was moved to the back often still has the mold line down the center of the tread, essentially no tread wear from being on the front wheel.
05-12-19, 08:19 AM
#71
Senior Member
I feel its time to have a bit of a poll here.
How long does it take you to change a flat tube??
How long does it take you to change a flat tube??
05-12-19, 08:29 AM
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05-12-19, 08:46 AM
#73
Farmer tan
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05-12-19, 05:57 PM
#75
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How long does it take me to change a flat. 8 minutes at home with carbon wheels. When I have 20 riders watching me on a group ride...it takes me FOREEEEVVVVVEEEER
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