Continental today announced two new variants of its top-of-the-line Grand Prix 5000 road bike tire. Notably, it has launched the time trial-specific GP5000 TT TR and the GP5000 AS TR, the ‘all-season’ variant that promises increased wet grip and puncture protection.
Spotted at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and highlighted in our opening weekend tech gallery, the new duo will sit on either side of the existing GP5000 S TR to create a tripartite range and greater specificity for the brand’s best road tyres . Like the ‘S’, the two new ‘TT’ and ‘AS’ variants are tubeless ready and hookless compatible (with limitations).
You might think the TT (Time Trial) tire is purely for racing against the clock and the AS (All Season) tire is just a training tire, but you’re wrong on both counts. Both were used by Taco van der Hoorn at the Kuurne race, with the TT mounted at the rear and the AS at the front.
(Image credit: Continental)GP5000 TT TR: Lighter and faster
Although the GP5000 TT TR is only launching today, it has actually been around for a few months. During the 2022 Tour de France, some riders were spotted with a ‘TDF’ edition GP5000 and Continental has confirmed that it is indeed the same tire with a different name. However, while this tire was only available in a 25mm width, it is now also available in a 28mm width. For those who want a brown sidewall, you’re out of luck as the TT only comes in black.
Continental apparently has a habit of winning big races on tires before they hit the market. Before the launch of the GP5000 S TR in October 2021, Sonny Colbrelli won Paris Roubaix with them just days ahead of Filippo Ganna who won the World Time Trial Championship.
The new TT tire has already racked up some pretty significant scalps in the cycling world too, with not one but two hour world records having been used in their trials by both Ganna and Dan Bigham.
According to Continental, a 25mm GP5000 TT TR tire weighs 220g, which is 35g lighter than an equivalent GP5000 S TR. The 25mm variant is hookless compatible with TSS (Tubeless Straight Side, AKA Hookless) rims up to an internal width of 21mm. The 28mm variant, which weighs 235g, is hookless compatible for rims up to 25mm.
(Image credit: Continental)GP5000 AS TR: Stronger grip in wet weather
The GP5000 AS TR, on the other hand, is available in both tan and black, with black also benefitting from Continental’s Black Reflex technology, a subtle reflective detail that improves visibility after dark. The AS TR is available in widths of 25 mm, 28 mm, 32 mm or 35 mm.
According to Continental, the AS TR is the “strongest Grand Prix 5000 tire ever” thanks to an improved tread pattern, multi-layer overlapping ply construction and increased sidewall protection. The result, Conti says, is an increase in wet-weather grip, more puncture protection, and better durability than any other GP5000 Conti has made.
Like the GP5000 S TR, both new tires benefit from Continental’s BlackChili rubber compound and a Vectran Breaker for puncture protection.
price and availability
Given that this is a top-of-the-line tyre, it’s not surprising to see the new tires command a premium price tag. The GP5000 TT TR costs €108.95 per tire, while the GP5000 AS TR is slightly cheaper (just slightly) at €95.99. International pricing is yet to be confirmed.
Both are available for purchase now.
