Continental or Vittoria?

[jpw]

well, it's time for some new tires.

As the season is winter good grip and puncture resistance are my priority. The ride is mixed road and pave (but not gravel), and 28s are preferred.

I'm thinking Continental Gator/ GP/ 4000, or Vittoria Open Pave GC III.

Opinions are welcomed.

thx, Jason.

[merckx]

The best no-nonsense winter training tire I've used is the Conti GP4S. It is very durable and grips well. Vittoria Pave is second best. Enjoy your winter miles.

[FlashUNC]

The best no-nonsense winter training tire I've used is the Conti GP4S. It is very durable and grips well. Vittoria Pave is second best. Enjoy your winter miles.

+1 to this. GP 4 Season is a great tire for winter miles. Durable, but the ride quality isn't total crap either.

[scooter]

For 28s, I am using a Schwalbe Ultremo ZX on one bike (on the rear) and find it to be a supple riding tire but not as durable as, say, a GP 4 Season, which was on previously, or a Vittoria Rubino Pro III, which I have on another bike. I've had one Schwalbe's sidewall gouged out by a pothole and the current one I have is wearing faster than either the Conti GP4 Season or the Rubino Pro III on the other bike.
I'd say the Rubino Pro is a bargain at its price point at nearly half the cost of a GP 4 Season. The Rubino ride is not as supple as the GP4 Season or the Schwalbe Ultremo ZX, but very durable and can handle tough road conditions.

Note: I'm building up a Merckx Strada and plan to throw on Conti GP4 Seasons (25 front/28 rear). Continental has a new edition of the GP 4000s II and it'll come in 23/25/28, so you have a more performance oriented tire to choose from. But the 4Seasons give you better wet weather capability and greater durability.

[norcalbiker]

I used to only use Vittoria. Now I find myself using Cont 4 seasons 700x25 on my bikes and my wife's bike.

[parco]

For myself I have found Conti's easier to mount and longer lasting than Vittorias.
Fewer flats too!

[JonSnow]

Conti's, but you pay for what you get.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

[umami]

I rode a pair of Vittoria OC Evo CX tires all summer. Plushest tires I've ever ridden. I don't know if the compound is the same as the ones you're looking at, but at 320TPI those skins are buttery smooth.

First big rain, I lost the front end while attempting to ease into a corner going maybe 12mph. The transition between vertical and horizontal was instantaneous--no sliding, no warning, just sudden loss of grip and I was on my face.

According to a shootout in the 9/2007 issue of german cycling mag Tour, the Vittorias were rated lowest for wet weather adhesion. Conti GP4000S was given the highest marks, with predictable performance and high durability.

Wish I had known before I crashed. Still trying to rebuild my cornering confidence (and some tendons in my fingers) thanks to those tires.

[Ahneida Ride]

The Conti's I had .... had sidewall issues ...

That was years ago .... perhaps this has changed

Once bitten, twice shy

[Aaron O]

The Conti GP 4 seasons is my favorite tire, bar none. I also agree that Rubinos are a great value and offer a lot of bang for the buck.

[azrider]

For myself I have found Conti's easier to mount and longer lasting than Vittorias.
Fewer flats too!

This. I roll Gator's this time of year and have nothing but good things to say. I bought pair of Pave's but am waiting to flat on my Gators before I install them.........................................still waiting :p

[druptight]

I've had 4 seasons in 28mm on my commuter for about 1000 miles of commuting in Boston this year, and have only flatted once total weight with bike & pannier probably about 225lbs. The one flat was on a huge lip at the edge of a bridge which I have successfully avoided since that one mishap. They can take a licking, as I've hit some other gnarly holes, etc that made a god awful noise, but kept right rollin' (I run them at about 90psi)

[Hank Scorpio]

Not Continental. I have two 4000's with blown sidewalls and one GP with a freshly torn sidewall.

[NateM]

Conti 4 seasons in 28 are the way to go in winter.Tough enough while still maintaining decent road feel and traction in the wet.85 psi is about right for my 145 lbs. I get about 4k on the rear before its squared off.I commute year round into NYC from Jersey,good amount of crap on road especially in winter.

[Tony T]

I used to use only Vittoria. Had two blown sidewalls, and the center kelvar strip shift on a third. Threw out the 4th (still in box).
Switched to Cont 4000s. Normal wear on 5 sets w/o a problem.

[Saffs]

Had very, very good experiences of Conti 4 Season 28 and 25c. The only Vittoria Pave I've owned for sidewall damage after about 100 miles. Really nothing happened to the 4 Seasons, through road, dirt, woods, amazing tire.

[Lovetoclimb]

Vittoria Pave 27mm on a 23mm rim like i9/HED/A23/Archetype. Huge pain to mount the first time but will be the best combo you have likely ever ridden.

[Threshold]

Conti GP 4 Season are the only way to go for durability/performance. If your roads are not to bad, they have come out with a 4000 S 28.

[jpw]

Thanks everyone. I just got home with my bag containing a pair of Conti GP 4S folders. I will try the Open Pave tires on another occasion.

Jason :)

[jpw]

quick update.

Conti GP4S...."28". This is Germanic humor i think. This tire barely makes it to 25 mm wide on my metal measuring tape.

A nice resource on Paceline would be a reference index of tires, their nominal numbers, and their actual numbers.



Conti GP4S 28 = 25 mm max.

[AgilisMerlin]

i am a fan / Vittoria

http://www.vittoria.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/car_SC_2013.jpg

[jpw]

i am a fan / Vittoria

http://www.vittoria.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/car_SC_2013.jpg

i will be trying the Pave 27 when the winter comes to an end.

[AgilisMerlin]

this is what i'll ride, starting in April

http://www.wheelbuilder.com/images/D/vittoria_pave_cg_tub.jpg

through november

oops, non tubular - these

http://blog.artscyclery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Vittoria-Open-Pave-Evo-CG-III-Tire-900x424.jpg

but not this vittoria

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/169/046/169046650_640.jpg (http://vimeo.com/25655464)

vimeo / above /

British GT round @ Brands Hatch

Ferrari 458 & Ginetta

here's some NOISe / 458 (http://vimeo.com/25772676) / vimeo

and / "ohmyGawd' / paulo (http://vimeo.com/59022664) / vimeo / III 07 III - "sounds like a bear, a burning (BEAR)'

[beeatnik]

Vittoria Rubino Pros in 28mm. Suckers are almost indestructible. Recently found myself unexpectedly in a hike-a-bike area (gateway to the San Gabriel Mountains) and rode em on a mile-long section of single track and broken pavement trail (unmaintained for 70 plus years) and there's not a single cut on the tires. Very impressed. Oh, and they don't feel sluggish.

[Shortsocks]

The GP4000s is an excellent all around tire. Never had an issue with them and they last a very long time.

As well, the Vittoria Open Cora CX 320p is a fantastic tire, that doesn't last as long but had a very supple and beautiful ride. Handles very well. And is take that over the GP4000s if you made me choose.

BUT

The Vittoria Open Corsa SC is the most amazing wheel I've ever used. Doesn't last for anything, maybe 1800 miles. But with a latex tube, it's heavenly.

[Fixed]

It is an Italian Co. Enough said
Vittoria For now
Cheers

[scpknees]

been running conti's for almost 20 years and have tried a few vittoria's as well during that span. The vittoria's gripped very well but also sliced up easily. wouldn't use them again if they were free. conti's for me.

[cachagua]

Slightly off-topic:

700X27 Open Pavé sounds nice. Anyone know if Vittoria has plans for a 27c Open Corsa CX or SC? Maybe for this coming season?

[Admiral Ackbar]

conti sidewalls have proven to be a bit too fragile for my likings (gp4k and gatorskin). i now run rubino pros and they are my favourite durable, low cost tire ever. i put them on for fall/winter riding and i can't praise them enough. they are a bit difficult to mount but that only means they are produced well and to spec

[jpw]

i wasn't entirely satisfied with the outcome of my Conti GP4S tire experiment (not a 28 at all, not even close) and so i ordered the Vittoria Open Pave CG III 27. i like it. nice and plump. not a true 27 but wider than the Conti. the tread should give me more traction on dirt. i'll report back later.

[Threshold]

Conti's always run narrow. There 25 is more a true 23. Michelin's run to size or wider. The best clincher tested in all departments is the 4000S. Vittoria did not test all that well and is prone to punctures. Best tubular are Veloflex Carbon and best clincher is 4000S. Best for durability training are GP4Season, then Hardshell and for nuclear disaster Specialized Armadillo.

[jpw]

i rolled out today on mixed surfaces. on the road the Open Pave is definitely a little more sluggish, but on the loose stuff it has better traction with its fine diamond tread pattern. no punctures.. yet. it was cold today. me no like.

[p nut]

Thanks for the report. I have been looking at 28 tires for a week. So many options and even more opinions. I'm running Rubino Pro's right now and have no complaints. I guess I will look at Vittoria again.

[lhuerta]

i rolled out today on mixed surfaces. on the road the Open Pave is definitely a little more sluggish,


...sluggish?? What pressure were you running? Lou

[jpw]

...sluggish?? What pressure were you running? Lou

i don't know yet - see my other recent 'floor pump?' post. when i have a gauge i'll be able to tweak for optimum pressure. i'll update later with the pressure i like.

[Ralph]

You can't beat Gatorskins for crappy weather riding. When it's too cold to change a flat. Just run them on low pressure (85-95) if ride quality bothers you. You might get two winters out of them. Agree.....others may be better all around tire. But you mentioned a "winter" tire.

[Mark McM]

It is an Italian Co. Enough said
Vittoria For now
Cheers

It may be an Italian company, but they don't actually make tires in Italy anymore. Production has been moved to Thailand.

[jpw]

It may be an Italian company, but they don't actually make tires in Italy anymore. Production has been moved to Thailand.

nearer the rubber

[hainy]

cx in the summer and cg in the winter.

I have never had a problem with Vittoria tyres.

Sharp object like glass course punctures on any tyre.

[jpw]

another update.

The Vittoria tire is a really nice ride. comfortable, supple, nice shape, good traction, soft rubber. et.c.

the only deficiency is puncture resistance. a thorn got through the edge of the tread near the top of the sidewall today, and i think a Conti GP may have stopped it reaching the inner tube.

My conclusion is that it's a very nice tire, but in cold conditions when the days are short it may be wiser to use the GPs to avoid being caught out by punctures when any winter warmth is ebbing away and the light fading in later afternoon.

[Mnm1945]

I love the ride quality and feel of the Corsa CX but they get too many flats and tend to tear very easily. Another bonus with the Cont. is the easy of tire removal and installation.

[ik2280]

I really dig my GP4000s. Seem like the happy medium between ride quality and flat protection. No problems, yet. They're meant to be 25s, though, and they're more like 23s.

[fogrider]

It is an Italian Co. Enough said
Vittoria For now
Cheers

But they are made in Thailand.

I like contis but just not at high psi.

[r_mutt]

i prefer ride quality and the vittoria's win easily. it's in another league altogether. the conti 4 seasons just feel terrible in comparison. i ride in nyc so avoiding flats in the winter is a priority. i have had very good results with the vittorias for 2 winters. how's that go? life's too short to run tires with so-so ride quality?

as for thailand- didn't vittoria ship the entire factory to thailand to do this? the same machines are making the tires.

[Admiral Ackbar]

but the hands are asian! the quality will suffer!


:rolleyes:

[oldpotatoe]

i prefer ride quality and the vittoria's win easily. it's in another league altogether. the conti 4 seasons just feel terrible in comparison. i ride in nyc so avoiding flats in the winter is a priority. i have had very good results with the vittorias for 2 winters. how's that go? life's too short to run tires with so-so ride quality?

as for thailand- didn't vittoria ship the entire factory to thailand to do this? the same machines are making the tires.

Clement..http://clementcycling.com/abou

The Vittoria factory is a state of the art bicycle trie factory that makes tirs for many brands, including Vittoria.