Schwalbe ultremo zx v gp4000s

[warthog1]

I currently use GP4000S tyres on my better clincher rims and pretty happy with them. I've seen that a few people of late using ultremo zx tyres. I'm wondering if any have used both and how they compare for mileage, puncture resistance and grip. Up for some new tyres soon so willing to give them a go if they are not too fragile.

[warthog1]

Done a bit of web surfing. The GP4000S is more durable by most accounts, so I'm sticking with them, as I've had a good run.

[sloth]

I just switched to conti 4 seasons. Checked my ultremo zx today and the rear has bad cuts and threads coming off the sidewall. Picked a lot of debris out of them but they look close to being done after 600 km. they came with my new bike and they are definitely more a race tyre than a good choice for everyday mileage.

[warthog1]

Thanks Sloth. They are a different class of tyre by the sound of it. Don't know why I even considered changing.

[Purt]

Ultremo zx is the better tyre. GP4000 has the durability.

I've been using ultremos for about 3 years. Had a pretty good run until the newest set. The rear tyre sidewall punctured after about 1000km.

From now on will probably go ultremo front, gp4000 rear.

[Comedian]

You might like to look at the ultremo DD. They are a more durable ZX. Ideally you have a ZX on the front and a DD on the back.

Mind you I struggle to stop them blowing off wheels so am discontinuing their use.

[nescius]

I have a set of Ultremos that came with my bike, they are nice to race on and I have no issues with their performance. As others have said, unfortunately they don't seem to be anywhere near as durable as the gp4000s (which I have always used in the past), I've only done a couple of hundred km on them and there are already some significant cuts on the rear tyre. I could just be unlucky, but I have been riding the same roads that I always ride, and I'm always pretty careful about riding through any debris on the road so I think it's more likely the tyres. I will be changing to a set of gp4000s after these ones are dead.

[goneriding]

Milage = 4000 (gators are even better)
Puncture resistance = 4000 (gators are even better)
Grip = Ultremo

If you want something a bit more durable then look at the Durano Plus. You won't get the milage that you do with the 4000 but they are tough and have very good grip.

[grnis200]

Clincher wise I'm happy with 25mm GP4000S - they seem fast and have been ultra reliable for me. (No punctures in 15000+kms - I do replace the rear as soon as it excessively flattens off though)

With tubulars I started on GP4000S (22mm) but wrecked 2 rear tyres quickly (sidewall cuts). I switched to Ultremo HT and haven't had a problem. Heaps of grip and fast - not as durable as the Contis but they have cut up or let me down.

When my backup of Conti clinchers runs out I think I'll try the Schwalbe 25mm clinchers but both are great tyres.

[Snagdog]

I was thinking of swapping to these tyres myself but after reading this thread I think I'll stick with my GP's. And for the record I have had a great run with them puncture free

[warthog1]

I've got a durano on the rear at the moment which is a much better match to the gp4000s for comparison.
It's going well, no punctures and feels pretty similar to ride. It's a bit heavier but doesn't feel that much different.

[Comedian]

Ok. The c50 still has the conti on the rim.

However my c24 ultremo DD was down to the canvas so I had to do something. I took the Dd off, removed the blue factory rim tape, and replaced it with cloth.

I then grabbed one of the near new ultremo ZX that had blown off the c50. I fitted it using the usual procedure and pumped it to 140. . If its still up tomorrow afternoon ill drop 20 out of it and ride it. Cross fingers.

[toolonglegs]

I have had a 25 Durano on the back for training since end of June... still going strong. No punctures, somewhere between 6-7000 kms, just ordered another set for next year.
I did have one on the front as well but lent my wheel to someone with poorly set up brakes and it destroyed the side wall .

[warthog1]

My 23c durano on the back is going quite well too. No real cuts or nicks and not squared off yet after ?1-1.5k kms. I might stick with them as trainers, it's given no issues yet and is maybe a bit more durable than a 4000S wear wise, I'm not decided yet though.

[winstonw]

Just realized the cheapest Schwalbe Ultremo DD on the net is around AUD45 vs Conti GP4000s at 25% cheaper.
The latter is 10g heavier but apparently much more durable.
That's not a calculus in favor of DDs IMHO.

Though suppose it boils down to what value you afford an AUD.

[Comedian]

Just realized the cheapest Schwalbe Ultremo DD on the net is around AUD45 vs Conti GP4000s at 25% cheaper.
The latter is 10g heavier but apparently much more durable.
That's not a calculus in favor of DDs IMHO.

Though suppose it boils down to what value you afford an AUD.

Apart from the blowing off issue which we might have gotten to the cause of now... I really like the DD's. I've worn two down to canvas and am yet to have a flat. They are very resistant to cuts and general abuse. They are good tyres. I really like the combo of a ZX on the front and a DD on the back.

I don't doubt the GP4000s is a good tyre too.. so if you can get them cheap...... Personally I think a GP4000 on the front would be a bit of overkill myself. I like the idea of a lighter tyre on the front. They don't cop the abuse that the backs get and don't seem to get nearly as many flats. Maybe a conti attack on the front with a GP4000 would be a good mix.

[fingy]

after reading a magazine tyre test I bought a couple of zx
ultremos, but while waiting for the pro3's to wear out reading
about Comedians experience had me a bit concerned.
So installing them I checked and rechecked the tube was sitting
in the tyre correctly even blowing some air into the tube to
give it some shape before installing.
I have only 250km on them but they seem ok, roll a bit faster
than pro3 (allready a fast tyre) fit on C24's a lot easier than
pro3 (nightmare to install) but at same 115psi ride a lot harsher
and run at 100psi to get similar ride quality(still not as nice) to
pro3, I can only imagine what the tyres max of 145psi would ride
like.

[schroeds]

On my 3rd pair of ZXs...they do get nicks but it doesn't affect lifespan and I get no more flats than anyone else. I'm happy with em, light, roll well etc.

[drb]

I've got both and prefer the ultremos they grip better they do cut easier but I find they last longer when there at recommended psi and I feel safer on them into fast corners.

[winstonw]

Those who claim one tire is "better", are making a very dubious claim if they don't include bodyweight, tire width, and surfaces regularly ridden, including whether they ride in the wet.

[Comedian]

Ultremo fans might be interested in the cause of the threads that hang off the side of the tyres...

Currently in email conflab with Dave the man at Schwalbe - very helpfu - have sent him photos but beforte he received them he sent me this, which is interesting so I thought I'd share (I didnt realise that the ultremo ZX HD were essentially race tyres with minimal armour - d'oh - I thought they were actually meant to be heavily armoured)


"The HD SpeedGuard is our very lightweight puncture guard protection
for competition tyres. Although effective against small shards and
thorns, anything larger will of course penetrate the puncture guard
layer. Something like the Durano Plus will have faired better but the
weight compromise is substantial.

If what you can see are loose threads that you can pull away from the
sidewall then this is part of the chafer. It's made up of woven cotton
material, which prevents the carcass chafing on the rim. Some of these
cotton yarns are not clamped in between the rim and tyre bead and
become loose, because of insufficient rubber coating. You can simply
cut the yarn and go on riding

It is not dangerous because the chafer is a separate part of the tyre
and doesn´t belong to the carcass. Some tyres don´t even need a
chafer. Even if you completely remove the chafer (and this is only
possible if the tyre is off the rim), the bead is still completely
hidden by the carcass."

[winstonw]

as I think I implied earlier on the forum,
anything <=200g is marketed for comparative light weight, as is advantageous in racing.
anything over 220g is marketed and designed for durability.
200-220g attempts to be a jack of all trades.

[schroeds]

Those who claim one tire is "better", are making a very dubious claim if they don't include bodyweight, tire width, and surfaces regularly ridden, including whether they ride in the wet.

Based on this nobody's opinion should be shared. ...way too may variables. As this probably applies to 75% of all discussions on this forum, perhaps we should go ahead and close it down?

[winstonw]

Based on this nobody's opinion should be shared. ...way too may variables. As this probably applies to 75% of all discussions on this forum, perhaps we should go ahead and close it down?

what? and deprive readers of the 25% of content that is more helpful than (fords are better than holdens)^200

[AlMac]

The Ultremo rides and rolls better than the GP, but the gains are marginal.

The Pro Race rolls smoother than both, but are too hard to get on and off.

You will need to buy Ultremo at roughly twice the rate of the GPs, as the Ultremo wears much faster.