Review: Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Tubeless Complete

(2021) Spring means a silent song-and-dance for road riders regarding rubber. Those riding outdoors throughout the winter have a dedicated heavier, thicker winter tire tasked with cold temperatures and municipal debris. Later there are warmer weather tires, oftentimes for racing that require low rolling resistance and maximum grip. But for many, there is the desire for a four-season tire. Having heard good things about Vector 4 Seasons, we layered up the tubeless complete variety from Goodyear.

Our wheelset comes with a funny tubeless configuration. Giant is one of the few OEM brands to stock tubeless road wheels with hookless rims. Having a smooth inner wall seems to diminish tire options. A couple years ago Goodyear, the leading American tire manufacturer, re-entered the cycling tire market, specifically offering a tubeless line called ‘Tubeless Complete.’ This line was meant to cover all the tubeless categories. We decided it was time for new rubber and gave the Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons a try in the 28mm width.

Tested in all conditions, including spring snow melt, the Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons (28mm) performed remarkably.

Spring in the northeast is a season where roadside junk is prevalent as winter snow banks melt and reveal tire-munching debris. Those with race tires do as best as possible while others spring for four-season tires. Often four season tires cover all bases satisfactorily. With a critical eye we navigated the spring thaw to report how the Goodyear Vectors performed.

Goodyear made a firm comment on social media that their Tubeless Complete line was compatible with hookless rims. These tires were going to be tested in numerous areas, notable stopping power, cornering grip, tire wear, and all conditions handling. Surrounding our testing area are numerous gravel roads ideal for pushing the limits of new tires, which is exactly where we headed once the local bike shop’s mechanic mounted the Vector 4 Seasons with no complaints at all. 

Over the several hundred miles of testing, one area that proved to be memorable was stopping power. Multiple times the brakes had to be strongly squeezed while faith applied to the Goodyear rubber. One especially hard braking moment stood out and the Goodyear 4 Seasons tracked true under heavy braking. Equally remarkable was the turning capabilities while braking. The tires simply want to stick to the road. What helps that stickiness is Goodyear’s inflation chart. The Vector 4 Season Tubeless set up is recommended for 85 psi, a notable pressure.

Our Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons did not come with the iconic Goodyear hat.

Of all the tests that had us concerned, the cornering test was the main one. Flapping our way over to the standard test course of Seven Corners Road, a perfect cut-through involving five ninety-degree turns, we will admit there was concern over the tubeless tires coming unseated. With a slight tail wind the corners were attacked with progressive speed, lines, and ultimately confidence and expectation. Each sharp turn was dealt with simply and almost shrugged off the experiment as basic. There have to be more technical turns for the Vector 4 Seasons. For a four-season tire, the Vectors sure don’t act like one.

With hundreds of miles covered, the Vector 4 Seasons somehow still look new. The tread down the middle of the rear tire hardly shows any rubber loss. Those bits of excess rubber left over from the rubber injection process still cast a spiky blur as the front tire spins in front of us. While they look new, the tires have also performed on debris-laden state roads, gravel roads, and the infamous Pennsylvania proving grounds where PennDOT likes to leave refrigerator-sized potholes. Just yesterday the clank-clanking of a rogue metal strap got caught up in the tires while bouncing down a farm road. The Vectors barely batted an eyebrow. 

With cold weather, wet roads, and variable road surface heat, the Vector 4 Seasons have demonstrated that these are the tires to contend with for dependability, grip, and comfort. The contact patch from the lower tire pressures yield greater results. It was believed the tires would show wear after numerous attempts of steering the bike into gravel piles, salt mounds, and even the accidental shattered glass after the recycling truck came through. With deeper groves the Vectors have demonstrated reliability in wet conditions to navigate turns reliably. With Goodyear making a strong presence on social media, they succeeded in backing up posts with an incredible tire that rolls well, goes over mostly anything, and feels good all while doing it.