GP4000s are rubbish

[Will]

I've had 4 punctures in the last 2 weeks while commuting on my not-very-old GP4000s - including 2 punctures on the way in yesterday which meant I had to wheel my bike 2 miles to work having used up my last spare tube - and have come to the conclusion that they are rubbish...

I've just bought some trusty 4 Seasons instead, and am expecting much longer/better life from them

So I guess this post is just a warning to avoid 4000s

[Andrew G]

I have them on my good bike and didn't have any problems with them last year. They can cut a bit but then so can all race tyres. Do you check for, and remove, "flints" regularly as on my commute to the City I pick up loads of small bits of glass etc which need picking out regularly, and that has Panaracer Extreme Duro tyres on it. I always check and clean them at least once a week, more often if the roads have been more mucky.

[adrian]

Not to be confused with the GP4000Ss, which I've found to be excellent. Not a single puncture in seven months.

[Andrew G]

[quote="adrian"]Not to be confused with the GP4000Ss, which I've found to be excellent. Not a single puncture in seven months.

[Will]

I've just checked the details of my old order from Parker International and they were GP4000 rather than GP4000S

I clean my tyres every so often but usually only when I'm mending a puncture - which I guess defeats the point of it

[Andrew G]

I tend to go round my tyres each week with a penknife and flick out all the glass etc. It's amazing how much stuff gets in them. It was probably an accumulation of crap in them that caused the mutiple punctures so close together.

[Snoop Doug]

You should get red ones - they're bl00dy great! I'm still riding on the same pair I took up Mont Ventoux in 2004. I think they rock, mine are 4000, not 4000s. I did all ten of my time trials last year on 'em too.....I must be a bit light on my feet .....leave it!

[Keith]

I put a pair of 4000S's on my Tarmac late last summer and I never quite liked them. Can't explain properly, but they seem to move a little when stressed, especially laterally when you pitch the bike into a bend - like they're flexing a bit more than I'd like.

Never had a puncture problem on them, oh apart from tearing a front sidewall on the quick descent down Redstone Hill into Redhill (A25). Doubt if any tyre would have coped with that.

Have put Michelin Pro Grips on for Hillingdon - wicked tyres. Confidence inspiring in the wet. Get cut to shreds on mucky roads though. Back to dependable Gatorskins for winter road riding.

[Marek]

I don't agree, I think the 3000 and 4000 are both very good tyres. I think the rolling resistance is very low and I don't seem to have a puncture problem with them, I have them on all my bikes for Winter and racing. As Sean says it is just bad luck.

Cheers

Marek...

[mlocke]

I used gatorskins for the first few months but recently have used gp4000 & 4000s's.

I personally think that punctures come down to luck or bad luck depending on your point of view / attitude. Obviously some tyres may be better than others dependng on what they are designed for but ultimately I think that all tyres around the 20 - 30 quid mark have similar characteristics and its your own personal perception dependant upon your own personal experiences.

Maybe someone could get semi-scientific and measure the distance travelled in different weather types for diferent tyres versus punctures incurred. I am sure that the club could provide a large enough demographic to make this possible and then we could by
and large solve the problem of what is the 'best everyday use tyre' on the market.

[Will]

Right, I've now got my 4 Seasons on so will start monitoring puncture levels over the coming months and then report back

I'm sure GP4000 + GP4000S are ok but what are internet forums for if not for half-baked opinions presented as unequivocal fact

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote]Maybe someone could get semi-scientific and measure the distance travelled in different weather types for diferent tyres versus punctures incurred.