Having great quality tires is a must-have if you cycle on a daily basis, especially if you’re a bike courier and ride in all weather conditions. You want to make sure that your tires not only last, you also want to make sure they are puncture-resistant with great grip and traction, so you’ll need a quality pair of all-season bicycle tires that can run on dry, wet, and snowy land. Below I will give a review of the Continental Grand Prix 4 Season Black Edition tires. I bought a pair a few months ago and I love these tires. Prior to that, I had the Continental Gatorskins and I’ll go over some differences. Also, if you choose to order a pair of continental tires, I recommend getting them with a couple of packs of the continental bicycle inner tubes if you know how to replace them yourself.
Gatorskins vs. Grand Prix 4
I’ve been using Continental Gatorskin Hardshell (which are an improvement from the original Gatorskins DuraSkin) tires for the last couple of years, and I love them, I only experienced one flat in the 2 years that I used them and that was from going over a small pothole, not glass or anything like that. These tires are perfect for those who can’t fix a flat, especially if you’re a courier; you will save the time it takes to find the nearest bike shop. I wanted to try something new and wondered if there were other tires, with the same protection but something with a better grip. I never really had that many issues riding in snow or rainy weather with the Gatorskins but I did lose control of my bike once or twice during wet conditions and my bike almost slipped. I decided to search for alternatives and came across the Continental Grand Prix 4 all seasons tires and thought I’d give them a try. They aren’t as puncture-resistant as the Continental Gatorskins but they’re good enough for me, and you will definitely enjoy a smoother and more comfortable ride with the Grand Prix 4 Black Edition tires. I’ve had them for about 4 months now and had about 4 flats, 2 punctures, and the other 2 from NYC’s nasty roads. Gatorskins feel nice but don’t offer the same grip and I remember as soon as I got my pair of Continental Grand Prix 4 I was able to tell the difference right away; the ride was a lot smoother, and it handled better on sharp turns. Overall great tires, and are superior to the Gatorskins when it comes to comfort and grip, they stick right onto the pavement, in the end, it all comes down to your preference.
Replacing A Tire Tube
When I first started working as a courier, getting a flat was an issue and an unpleasant experience. I’ve had to drop deliveries sometimes depending on how far I was from the nearest bike shop and the wait time as well. After a while it became normal, I got used to it but I knew I had to learn how to change a tire tube to save myself some time and money of course. The thought of replacing a tire tube at first seemed like a big task because I had never done it before but it’s very easy. It’s a bit of a struggle the first time depending on the tire. The Gatorskins are hard because of the tight bead but not impossible to install and remove. I’ll cover Gatorskins in another post. The Continental Grand Prix is not as hard, but after some use, it becomes easier to remove and reinstall them. Remember to always carry the necessary tools depending on the kind of bike you have, and you’ll also need a mini air pump, 2 or 4 tire levers just in case, and latex gloves if you don’t want to get your hands dirty. Once you remove the tire make sure you check for any glass, debris, etc. that might have caused the flat. You don’t want to go through all the trouble of removing your tire and replacing the tube just to get another flat right after. Below is a video of how to replace a tire tube.
Does The Brand Of A Tire Tube Matter?
Does it matter? Honestly, that really depends on the kind of rider you are and how often you ride your bike. I’ve bought 10 and 20 packs of lower quality tubes and noticed a very small difference. Cheap tubes can be more prone to tears, but I would definitely go with a quality brand because they are lighter and less prone to tears and punctures. You might be able to find some answers to that question on this thread. But if you do want a quality tube at a good price, then I recommend you go with the Continental brand. They are good quality so yes there is a small difference, they may last longer. You get what you pay for. Just be aware of the two different valves which are Presta and Schrader. There is a 3rd called woods, but I don’t think that’s pretty common, I could be wrong, I’ve never seen it in the years I’ve been riding.
Give These Tires A Try
The Continental Grand Prix 4 Season is a great tire, I am still on my first pair, but I will definitely order another pair down the road. I’m sure you will be absolutely satisfied with this excellent product. Also, if you’ve never tried replacing an inner tube yourself, maybe it’s time to learn. It will make your life easier and you’ll save a lot of time and money.
When I first started working as a courier I had no idea about bike parts, proper equipment, and gear. I learned through my mistakes by doing research, and from other couriers, I met on the street. You’re welcome to ask me any questions regarding the products above, and I’d be more than glad to answer any other questions you may have so you can enjoy your cycling experience even more. I can also recommend other great products. Thanks for stopping by, ride safe!
Emilio “SYCONYC”
I loved the article, and my main takeaway was the inner tube information. I have had many flat tires throughout my life but somehow there was always someone more knowledgeable about bikes around to change my inner tubes. Now I am equipped with the knowledge I need to get out there and start riding again if I get a flat.
Hey Omer, yeah it’s not hard at all, it depends on the type of tire, but also for most tires it’s always a bit hard when installing a brand new pair, but after the first time, they become looser so removing them won’t be as hard. You can try practicing at home, it’s really a great skill to have if you ride often. I am a bike messenger and I got tired of always having to walk to the nearest bike shop so I decided to learn so I can save money and time.
Great article, For me I think the brand of the tire tube matters because a company like continental will ensure to always produce quality tire tubes so that they can save their brand name, but that’s not always the case with smaller companies since they have nothing much to lose in terms of reputation, they tend not to care much about the quality of the product they produce, and I don’t want to worry about getting flats frequently so I definitely wouldn’t mind spending more money on quality tubes and tires.