Conti GP 4 Season vs Gator Skin for best ride
#1
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Conti GP 4 Season vs Gator Skin for best ride
I am using Gatorskin 28's (700C) on my road bike because I was getting too may flats. The flats have been reduced considerably. I have been eyeing the GP 4 season tires to maybe try.
They are supposed to offer good flat protection too, maybe not as good as the Gator's though. I am interested in the ride difference between them. The Gator's are a harsh ride and wondering if the GP 4 Season's might offer a nicer ride.
They are supposed to offer good flat protection too, maybe not as good as the Gator's though. I am interested in the ride difference between them. The Gator's are a harsh ride and wondering if the GP 4 Season's might offer a nicer ride.
#4
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what were the tires getting too many flats before the gatorskins?
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#6
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I am using Gatorskin 28's (700C) on my road bike because I was getting too may flats. The flats have been reduced considerably. I have been eyeing the GP 4 season tires to maybe try.
They are supposed to offer good flat protection too, maybe not as good as the Gator's though. I am interested in the ride difference between them. The Gator's are a harsh ride and wondering if the GP 4 Season's might offer a nicer ride.
They are supposed to offer good flat protection too, maybe not as good as the Gator's though. I am interested in the ride difference between them. The Gator's are a harsh ride and wondering if the GP 4 Season's might offer a nicer ride.
The downside is limited sidewall protection. If you're damaging yours on road debris, these are not the tires for you; although I haven't had any problems in the 28,000 miles since I switched.
#7
Expired Member
I've been using these for several years with no complaints. Seem puncture resistant but ride better than Gators or the 4 Seasons, IMO. https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/.../rp-prod109859
![](https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/480x2000/screenshot_2020_08_03_continental_grand_prix_gt_road_bike_tyre_chain_reaction_cycles_b4ff1cb1ddb5c09156a1d9e24b1b1201cec872d2.png)
#8
Senior Member
Where I live, winter road debris comes from the sand that is used on the road if there is a chance of ice or snow. When they sand, I put on the Gatorskins until the conditions improve in the spring. My Gatorskins are a few seasons old because I only use them when conditions require. I have found it to be a good compromise.
#9
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I have found the Conti 4 Seasons to be an excellent compromise. Like everybody says, Gatorskins are nearly bulletproof but ride like crap. 4 Seasons have much better flat protection than the GP4000 or GP5000s, but ride much better than the Gatorskins. So a good compromise
I have many thousands of miles on the 4 seasons and still ride them with one of my wheelsets. OTOH, I'm really in love with the ride that I get from the GP5000s and I'm willing to accept a somewhat greater frequency of flats in return. YMMV
I have many thousands of miles on the 4 seasons and still ride them with one of my wheelsets. OTOH, I'm really in love with the ride that I get from the GP5000s and I'm willing to accept a somewhat greater frequency of flats in return. YMMV
#10
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Let me toss in a recommendation for the Michelin Power Protection+:
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/m...e-clincher?s=a
Bead-to-bead Kevlar, great flat protection, rides a million times better than Gatorskins, if not as nice as a fast tire.
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/m...e-clincher?s=a
Bead-to-bead Kevlar, great flat protection, rides a million times better than Gatorskins, if not as nice as a fast tire.
#11
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I have found the Conti 4 Seasons to be an excellent compromise. Like everybody says, Gatorskins are nearly bulletproof but ride like crap. 4 Seasons have much better flat protection than the GP4000 or GP5000s, but ride much better than the Gatorskins. So a good compromise
I have many thousands of miles on the 4 seasons and still ride them with one of my wheelsets. OTOH, I'm really in love with the ride that I get from the GP5000s and I'm willing to accept a somewhat greater frequency of flats in return. YMMV
I have many thousands of miles on the 4 seasons and still ride them with one of my wheelsets. OTOH, I'm really in love with the ride that I get from the GP5000s and I'm willing to accept a somewhat greater frequency of flats in return. YMMV
#12
Full Member
I've tried the Michelin Power Protection + and was highly disappointed. I found the flat resistant to be very weak as any semi sharp object, regardless of size went right through the tread and caused a puncture. For the way they are marketed, they were barely more flat resistant than I've experienced with GP4000s. I'd highly recommend the GP 4 Seasons as I've found them much more flat resistant and longer wearing in my experience.
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GP4000SII. No appreciable difference in flat rate outside the rainy season. Better ride. 15W savings at 20 MPH versus the GP 4 Season.
The downside is limited sidewall protection. If you're damaging yours on road debris, these are not the tires for you; although I haven't had any problems in the 28,000 miles since I switched.
The downside is limited sidewall protection. If you're damaging yours on road debris, these are not the tires for you; although I haven't had any problems in the 28,000 miles since I switched.
#14
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I've tried the Michelin Power Protection + and was highly disappointed. I found the flat resistant to be very weak as any semi sharp object, regardless of size went right through the tread and caused a puncture. For the way they are marketed, they were barely more flat resistant than I've experienced with GP4000s. I'd highly recommend the GP 4 Seasons as I've found them much more flat resistant and longer wearing in my experience.
#15
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GP4000SII. No appreciable difference in flat rate outside the rainy season. Better ride. 15W savings at 20 MPH versus the GP 4 Season.
The downside is limited sidewall protection. If you're damaging yours on road debris, these are not the tires for you; although I haven't had any problems in the 28,000 miles since I switched.
The downside is limited sidewall protection. If you're damaging yours on road debris, these are not the tires for you; although I haven't had any problems in the 28,000 miles since I switched.
Last edited by MinnMan; 08-04-20 at 01:34 PM.
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I think 8 tires which would be 4 pairs, noting the current ones have life left.
I discard the rear tire after it wears out, move the front tire aft, and install a new tire in front. Doing that I get 9000 miles from each tire - 4500 in front plus 4500 in back. The first one was good for 1037 front miles followed by 5257 rear. I lost one early due to cut cords which produced a blowout (in the tread, not the sidewall).
1037 mile front + 5257 mile rear GP4000SII at its end of life:
I discard the rear tire after it wears out, move the front tire aft, and install a new tire in front. Doing that I get 9000 miles from each tire - 4500 in front plus 4500 in back. The first one was good for 1037 front miles followed by 5257 rear. I lost one early due to cut cords which produced a blowout (in the tread, not the sidewall).
1037 mile front + 5257 mile rear GP4000SII at its end of life:
![](https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1328x747/main_qimg_c8c5b45c280f215640c21c8804003320_c_88f466e53ac5a4f6328386ca9c03d6b000c90922.jpeg)
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 08-04-20 at 01:28 PM.
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#17
Newbie
I think 8 tires which would be 4 pairs, noting the current ones have life left.
I discard the rear tire after it wears out, move the front tire aft, and install a new tire in front. Doing that I get 9000 miles from each tire - 4500 in front, and 4500 in back. The first one was good for 1037 front miles followed by 5257 rear. I lost one early due to cut cords which produced a blowout.
1037 mile front + 5257 mile rear GP4000SII at its end of life:
![](https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1328x747/main_qimg_c8c5b45c280f215640c21c8804003320_c_88f466e53ac5a4f6328386ca9c03d6b000c90922.jpeg)
I discard the rear tire after it wears out, move the front tire aft, and install a new tire in front. Doing that I get 9000 miles from each tire - 4500 in front, and 4500 in back. The first one was good for 1037 front miles followed by 5257 rear. I lost one early due to cut cords which produced a blowout.
1037 mile front + 5257 mile rear GP4000SII at its end of life:
![](https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1328x747/main_qimg_c8c5b45c280f215640c21c8804003320_c_88f466e53ac5a4f6328386ca9c03d6b000c90922.jpeg)
I find Conti GP4000SII to be more reliable than the Gators.