Bonktown is selling Continental GP4000 Clincher Road Bike Tires for 16.99. I know that that is a good deal, but are they good tires for tri bikes? Check them out and let me know what you think. I think the yellow ones would look sick on my QR Caliente.
Thanks!
Great tires, but they’re selling the 25mm. You don’t want to race on those. Train on them, commute on them, sure.
The GP 4000**s **has tested well. Don’t know about the 4000. I just got a set of GP 4000s from probikekit but haven’t ridden them yet.
I guess I’ve always just used the tires that came with my bike, why would 25 mm be bad to race on. The page says they are race tires.
What is the difference between the 4000 and the 4000s?
Sure, they are nice tires. In fact, I’ve got 23mm GP4000s on my roadie and like them just fine. Good puncture resistance. Not bad rolling resistance. But with 25mm you’ve got two issues. First is width - many road and tri bikes won’t have clearance to run that width. You’ll rub up against the inside of your chainstays. Race bikes are designed around tires 23mm or less. Then there’s the rolling resistance. I think the lowest RR tested in clinchers has been 23mm ProRace 3s. In general, rolling resistance increases with tire width.
I think it has been found that rolling resistance is either independent or decreases with tire width, but that aerodynamic resistance increases. For more on rolling resistance and the difference between 4000 and 4000S see:
http://www.biketechreview.com/tires/images/AFM_tire_testing_rev8.pdf
GP4000’s are awesome but yes the 25c tires are a good bit wider than your standard race/road tire. I just picked up two setsof the 25c for training and/or my commuter road bike. I love the 23c version as it’s fast, very very flat resistant and pretty durable. As noted the 25c might not fit in some frames as it’s a touch wider.
the 4000s is only offered in black/23C.
solid choice either way but stick with the 23’s.
most of the 4000 tires are offered as 23’s and they still offer a 650.
two of the three yellow 4000 tires are 23C but may not be available everywhere.
The 4000s has the new Chili Compound in the rubber. Lower rolling resistance.