The Best Road Tire - Continental Grand Prix 5000 Explained

Tubeless – Race Performance

One of the most ridden tires in the pro peloton, the GP 5000 S TR is one of the fastest road race tires on the market. Afterall, it’s in the name – “S” stands for speed and “TR” is tubeless-ready. Despite being one of the fastest race tires around (check out Bicycle Rolling Resistance), the GP 5000 S TR still retains enough durability to frequently withstand 2,000 or more miles of riding – not something you would expect from any of the other race tires on that list. If you want to show up to your next race or group ride knowing you have the best tires for the job, grab a pair of GP 5000 S TRs. 

Tubeless – Road Endurance

If you feel like you want a GP 5000, but want a little extra durability, the 5000 AS (All-Season) TR takes the Grand Prix design, increases the tread cap thickness, and beefs up the sidewalls – all in the name of puncture protection. We’ve seen the AS TR getting used by pros at rough races such Paris-Roubaix and the Spring Classics. They are also great for taking on some light gravel riding – with a 35mm width version available. 

Tubeless – Time Trial and Criterium

When every second counts, the TT TR is the tool for the job. While you can’t expect this tire to last as long or be as durable as the 5000 S, this tire is ultra-fast, super light, and still grips well in wet conditions. For a time trial or perhaps a smooth criterium or circuit, this tire will pay dividends; however, it’s probably not a tire you want to use for everyday riding. 

Tube-Type – Road Performance

If you’re still a fan of good ’ole inner tubes, the GP 5000 clincher is a sure bet.  The tube-type GP 5000 is the lightest tire in the Grand Prix lineup – without the need for additional reinforcements (like tubeless requires), this tire comes in at merely 240 grams (700c x 28mm). While racers have mostly switched over to tubeless, the tube-type option is still a great choice for recreational cyclists who value performance. 

Tube-Type – Road Endurance

A popular winter training tire, the Grand Prix 4-Season adds a protective layer of DuraSkin sidewall reinforcement to complement the already durable Vectran Breaker casing. The GP 4-Season tire is designed to perform at the high level of a Grand Prix-series tire without adding as much weight or rolling resistance as you would get with a heavy-duty tire like a Gatorskin. 

Many 700c Continental tires are referred to as “28” tires. This is just another name for the same thing. To be extra sure you are getting the right size, the ISO measurement of 622 will be printed on the packaging of all 700c tires. This is the actual measurement of the tire bead and is standardized across wheel and tire brands.