Continental GP 3000 - yes 3000 -

[LivetoRide]

No problem and glad to hear that you were able to get a set

Interesting to hear that that's how people in the MC world feel about tires. Now, here, if the tread isn't too worn, it's not dry-rotted, and there are no large chunks missing, a tire is generally considered OK (as far as I know).

[Desert Tortoise]

How do you read the manufacture date on the Conti GP4000s?

I just purchased a set online and before I put them on my bike, I want to check the manufacture date.

I searched the website, around the internet and emailed Continental through their website. Didn't find anything and have not heard back from them.

This is what I found the tires:

23-622 C 210

E4 (w/a circle around the E4) 88 R -

208850

Any info is appreciated!
dt

[OakLeaf]

They used to be date-coded just like motor vehicle tires, with a four-digit code designating the week and year (last two digits).

I'd already noticed that they've stopped doing that, which is disappointing.

I think the crossed circle and the following digit is the new date code, but that's totally a guess. If this is correct, I'm guessing that the dots inside the circle represent the month, and the single digit represents the year.

It seems to jibe with the tires on my bike now and the couple of old ones I have lying around.

But I'd want to hear that from Conti (or know that it's a new standard for bici tires) before I'd rely on it.

[Desert Tortoise]

Thanks for the info. I wish the manufacturers made it easier to read this stuff.

My circle with a cross has 3 and 2 dots with a 1 on the outside of the circle. Hmmm.

Yes, I will wait for the final word from Conti. Just wish they would reply and hopefully it will be in English. I sent the email in English and got a German reply of something about thank you we received your email....according to google translation. But even that was limited. Google couldn't translate the first half of the long sentence.

If I hear anything I'll be sure to post in case anyone is interested.

Thanks again!
dt

[OakLeaf]

If I'm guessing right, then your manufacture date would be May of 2011. I'll take that as another data point in support of my guess. But yeah, I wouldn't rely on that.

[Desert Tortoise]

I'm such a goof! When I saw 3 and 2, I thought 32 (huh?). Not 3+2.

Oak, I think you are on to something. The tires look good and are supple. No dryness or cracking.

I just sent Continental another email but to a different department. Obviously I'm not that swift and maybe I sent the first one to the wrong department. Sigh...

Thanks!

dt

[Desert Tortoise]

Finally! I got a reply from Continental about manufacture date. In fairness, the guy said there was a system glitch and my email took a long time to get through. He has been very prompt to reply with my follow ups.


Hmm, I'm trying to copy portions of the email so readers can see the actual response. It won't let me copy or I am doing something wrong.

Ok, well to sum it up, Oak you were right about the circle and number just outside of it.

He said on the sidewall there is a pie chart divided into quarters and a number bottom right of it. The small dots within the quadrants represent the months (Jan through Dec) and the single digit bottom right represents the year.

I've been riding these tires for a couple of weeks now. They are nice!