Continental

Grand Prix 5000 Clincher Tire

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Depends on rims...

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

25

Weight:

220

I've had quite a few sets of these on different bikes/wheel sets. I've had no issues with them and I recommend them to my friends. I haven't tried the tubeless versions though, but a friend has and he's had lots of punctures. These slide on without tools on HSONPLUS rims, but have to use a tool on most other rims, but not always. These clincher tires with TPU tubes is hard to beat for reliability, weight, and speed. They're pretty spot on for size, but inner rim width can change that.

too narrow

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

bought 25mm and when mounted measure 23.5mm. Not happy but what's my choice? I've used Conti for many years and never had this problem.

Almost impossible to mount

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I’ve been riding Continental tires for the last two decades. The GP5000s are almost impossible to mount across their range. The clinchers are quite challenging to mount, so much so that they don’t feel safe in the event of a roadside flat. Trying to mount new tires leaves me with multiple blisters. The tubeless version (not these) are also horrible. I will be another brand going further.

Cornering Confidence and Silky Smooth

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

700 x 25c

I have ridden on many iterations of Continental Grand Prix tires. I switch between 25c and 28c. The 25c accelerates slightly faster than the 28c, but once up to speed, the 28c won't slow you down. If you're looking for more confidence descending, choose the wider options, as there is more surface contact with the ground. The 28c offers a slightly cushier ride and can easily handle a few miles on fire roads. I ride hundreds of miles on the Grand Prix tires before changing them and experience few punctures. It would be hard for anyone to convince me to try another tire; no other tire can beat the Continental Grand Prix 5000.

Great tire.

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

700x28

Love these tires. Great traction and puncture resistance and good durability.

I strayed and came back

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Yes I cheated on my Contis. I'd been a Conti fan for years but got tired of the tight fit. I moved to two different brands and both had failures so I'm back. The trick to getting Conti's on and off is to use Park Tool TL-6.3 tire levers and wear gloves. They are longer so you have more leverage and the gloves will give you more power without feeling like you're going to hurt your hands. Its still not easy but definitely alot easier and doable as long as you follow general tire mounting procedures. If you're on the road you're likely to already have gloves on anyway. The GP4000's and now GP5000's are known for low rolling resistance and for me, they've been bulletproof on the road. I also like the way they look. I recently moved from the 25's to the 28's and believe they are a bit easier to mount.

28 IS WHAT YOU WANT!!!!!

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

28

Weight:

200

The pairs of 25's I ran for over 10 yrs did very well: fast, ran at 90psi, not that comfortable, good durablity, when worn out did flat more, cuts did happen from glass, nails etc on the side of the road, but main problem was getting the last 6" over the rim, so very depressing when having a flat, especially trying to get under the tire bead to pry the tire off then having to use a tire bead jack getting it back on- often resulting in pinching the new tube!! Enter the 28. It's just as fast, 50% more comfortable. I'm 200lbs and run at 85psi. The 28 is 75% easier to get the tire on, 50% easier in getting the bead out to remove the tube, then again 75% easier getting the tire back on usually just by hand so eliminating the chances of pinching!! I have had the same results on getting it on my Astral aluminum and Astral carbon rim. I've had them over 2,000 miles and the first week got a pinch flat from something near the side of a city street, but no problems since on city or rural roads.

Sidewall blowout

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

25mm

Height:

5' 5"

Weight:

130

Like a few other reviewers have mentioned, these tires have problems. I too had a sidewall blowout on a smooth road, and I just put them on a few weeks ago. On the other tire I had a couple pinch flats since it was so difficult to mount. I won't be buying these again.