Continental Grand Prix 5000 – a benchmark for cyclists
If for fifteen years, the Continental Grand Prix 4000 held an unbeatable place in the bicycle wheel sector, it now meets a competitor at the height of its performance, or at least its worthy successor: the Grand Prix 5000 of the brand. The latter quickly became the darling of bitumen bicycle enthusiasts.
Presentation of the Grand Prix 5000
The first appearance of the GP 5000 dates from November 2018. It enters the scene to replace its big brother the GP 4000 bearing the logo of the same manufacturer. The latter was in the spotlight and prized by amateur and professional cyclists alike for its performance going beyond a standard tire on road bikes. The GP 4000 drew its notoriety for its versatility. It easily adapted to all situations that arose on bitumen, not to mention the climatic conditions. It met criteria of durability, resistance and comfort with brilliance which allowed it to rise to the top of the choices of consumers in the sector.
14 years after the first productions of this equipment which caused a sensation in the cyclist, we discover today its heir: the GP 5000. The announcement of its initial exhibition took place in the Canary Islands in front of fifty journalists.
The GP 5000 is accompanied by a catchy slogan: “It’s your Time”. Literally, everything suggests that the reign of the GP 4000 has ended and that from then on, it is the GP 5000’s turn to shine. It comes in two types: the first takes on the strengths of its predecessor with the presence of an inner tube. The second is equipped with tubeless technology, long awaited by connoisseurs of the designer.
Improved design
If we know very well the appearance of the GP 4000, we immediately notice the difference when we look at the GP 5000. In terms of evolution, we always go through the aesthetic side, and that, the manufacturer does has not neglected. On the GP 5000, we see this tone presenting a compromise between aggressiveness and elegance. It immediately asserts its design quality at first glance. We find in particular lateral structures more marked than those of its big brother. In addition to playing a versatile role, adapting to several styles of two-wheelers, this aesthetic contributes significantly in the grip of the whole on the bitumen.
Continental also circumvents any concerns related to assembly by sporting its material with a roundness and a centering which satisfied the majority of testers. In terms of size, we especially notice a great effort undertaken by the designer. If regulars find that the manufacturer’s “sizing” is large, as in the case of the GP 4000, the brand has updated by providing wheels that no longer vaguely differ from the rims. As an example, if we take a 23mm GP 4000 model that will be at least 27mm and fit a modern 21mm internal rim. A 25mm GP 5000 will be around 26.8mm.
The Grand Prix 5000: high-level performance
To ride an excellent bike, equipping it with wheels having the same status is essential. This is why Continental launched its tires equipped with various technologies: in order to keep by its side the followers of the GP 4000 and to conquer the rest of the amateurs of the discipline.
The manufacturer has however kept the reference in which it has forged its reputation, the famous Black Chili and by making some improvements. It has a structure composed of 3 layers of 110 TPI each. In total you have 330 TPI, which gives the tire optimal stability during cornering. On the road, you gain balance since it considerably reduces the resistance to friction.
To this technology is added the reliefs drawn by laser. We call them the Lazer Grip sculptures. This is engraving mounted on the sides of the tread to bring more grips to the whole on the bitumen: an optimized grip resistant to all climatic conditions whether it is rain, snow or ice and many more.
If comfort was presented as a limit in the GP 4000, Continental is trying to overcome this disadvantage with the integration of the Active Comfort system. As the name suggests, it aims to boost the convenience of the cyclist who did not seem obvious enough on the predecessor of the GP 5000. To do this, the manufacturer has chosen to embed a layer of polymer capable of dampen vibrations and dampen tremors along the way.
The Grand Prix 5000 in tubeless mode
The novelty that has impressed consumers is in the declination of the GP 5000 in tubeless version. The brand has finally decided this market with this technology already known to the general public, but has endowed its wheel with a particular design.
The tubeless model incorporates the advantages of its inner tube cousin with its triple layers of plies of 60 TPI each reinforced with the Vectran Breaker system. The latter is distinguished by its contribution to the robustness of the assembly by increasing its protection against punctures by 20%. It has an ability to instantly clog up any perforations on the route.
If its weight is heavier than the standard GP 5000, suitable with schwinn wayfarer an excess of 100 g, this equipment gains more rolling resistance, however. The presence of the additional ply inside optimizes its watertightness because the use of a preventive liquid is no longer compulsory during assembly, but only recommended.
With the success of the GP 4000 in the bicycle tire market, Continental cannot hope that these new materials will follow the same path.
