Rubber Meets Road: Continental Grand Prix 4 Season Review

Since moving to Tucson durable tires have become a must for me; there's nothing I hate more than a flat during a good ride or a double flat leading to a long walk. My trusty Ultra-Sports had stood up to the Flagstaff winter, but were no match for the myriad of debris that lives on the roads of Tucson.
Continental sent us some nice Grand Prix 4 Season tires to test, so I pulled off my Gatorskins to give them a try. I was worried about switching to Four Seasons over the nearly indestructible Gatorskins, but was interested in a tire that is billed as a faster training option. They mounted easily enough and I got off to a good-start on them.

The first concern was that the test tire lacked the triple layer Poly-X-Breaker of the Gatorskin, but the 4 Season is actually a more robust and durable offering, with a double layer Vectran Belt and a Dura-Skin wrap over the sidewalls. The puncture resistance of these tires was phenomenal, and I found myself really trying to test them. I rode gravel, loose wood bridges, through some good size piles of glass, and of course plenty of small bits of metal. In 1,500 miles of riding I never had a puncture. I had one flat in the entirety of my time on the tires, when one of my tubes blew in the furnace like June weather. I normally replace my tires every 2,000 miles or when they wear flat, but after 1500 miles they still have visible mold lines. A long wearing tire can often let down on speed and handling, and these tires needed an appropriate test to dispell that dogma.

Luckily Tucson has some great race-pace group rides, like the infamous Shootout, to put tires to the test. I expected to suffer a little bit more because of rotating weight and more rolling resistance, but these tires upped the ante again. While they weigh in at 242 grams for a 700x23, one gram more than the Ultra Gatorskin, the real difference comes in rolling resistance. By no means do they roll as well as a Black-Chili Grand Prix 4000; however, there is a palpable increase in speed versus a Gatorskin. I was easily able to power up and roll along in the front group without a noticeable amount of drag unlike my normal training tires. The cornering and grip was also phenomenal for an all season tire; most tires in the same class are notoriously gummy and weak in corners. They stuck in the corners and descents almost as well as race tires, and the little bit of tread made them acceptable on a few dirt-road excursions

On the whole, the tires met and surpassed my expectations. The only flaw for me was that the ride of 700x23s was a little harsh, but 700x25 tires are available, so it's not a drawback at all. A platform with exceptional puncture resistance and rolling performance, that wears well is a rarity and a pleasure. I'll definitely be riding them as my training tire in the future, and as race tires in a pinch

Off the Rack: Castelli Diluvio Gloves Review

It's going to be a cool wet day on the road, the temperature is going to hover above freezing, and you have base miles to get in. The standard long finger glove you've been wearing all fall isn't going to make the grade today. You need something waterproof and insulated, but not so thick you lose a good grip on the hoods. Castelli's Diluvio gloves are the solution; the neoprene construction keeps the water out and the heat in.

When first donning the gloves it's a strange sensation, the neoprene does not conform to the hand but compresses gently. It's not incredibly flexible or particularly bulky, but it doesn't impede dexterity on the levers. They won't be any good for typing on the iPhone at the coffee-shop, but you'll be able to flick the controls all day while it sleets.

The extra grippy texture of the palm

The palms have an incredible texture, and for the first rides the palms would actually stick to each other. The grip feels secure on the bar, and I didn't feel my hands slip, but is a little vague because of the thickness and cushion of neoprene. Unlike most gloves there's no extra pads in the palm, but I had no trouble with them for 4 hours at a time. After the initial odd feelings the gloves felt almost like a second skin and were incredibly comfortable and the level of padding was delightful.

The biggest drawback is that the gloves are too effective; they don't let anything in or out. My hands would become particularly clammy after only a few minutes and well pruned at the end of my rides. The sensation is not particularly bothersome, but for some it is a deal breaker.

On the whole the Diluvios are a pleasant experience and completely different from any other winter glove. The thin insulation is wonderful by comparison to the ski-glove like options from the other companies, and if it's going to open-up with some sleet or rain, they're the best option. There are more tactile gloves and warmer gloves, but the former trades off warmth and the later lacks waterproof finish. Castelli has made a truly unique product, there's room for improvement, but this version is a pleasant new entry into winter gloves.