Continental Grand Prix 5000 AS TR
Value: £84.95 / $110
Weight: 335g
Widths accessible: 25c, 28c, 32c, 35c
Measured width (28mm): 28.4mm
Tubeless prepared: Sure
Hookless suitable: Sure beneath 25mm inner rim width
The Continental GP5000 AS TR sits within the model’s highest tier of tyre choices on the highway, the GP5000 line. Launched in early 2023, the AS TR was designed to supply higher moist climate efficiency and sturdiness than the GP5000 S TR. The AS stands for ‘All-Season’ to focus on the improved efficiency in any climate situations.
The tyres function a brand new tread materials which claims to be grippier within the moist, longer lasting, and have higher sidewall safety. This tread is a reformulation of its now well-known BlackChili compound, tailor-made to create extra moist grip. A thicker tread provides to the sturdiness and longevity however does come at round a 50g penalty per tyre in response to Continental, though the distinction was 88g per tyre on our scales. The tread is paired with ‘Lazer Grip’, laser profiled tread grooves designed to additional enhance grip, in addition to a Vectran breaker for added puncture safety. There are additionally two color choices in addition to a wholesome vary of sizes.
Value-wise it’s £5 costlier than the GP5000 S TR at £84.95. This actually makes them premium-level tyres that outprice most all-season choices. Nevertheless, the rolling resistance efficiency places them past even some manufacturers’ prime race tyres. For that efficiency and enhanced sturdiness, the steep value begins to look extra justified.
Design and specs
The primary constructing block of the GP5000 AS TR tyres is the BlackChili compound. This has lengthy been utilized by Continental in top-tier highway tyres, however over time has been refined and reformulated. This newest model has been particularly tailor-made for improved moist climate grip and cornering, an space that the model’s choices have historically carried out nicely in.
Tread depth has been elevated, to extend the general tyre lifespan, but in addition to scale back the probabilities of objects penetrating the tyre and puncturing. This additional tread materials has come at a weight penalty, including a claimed 50 grams. Nevertheless, when evaluating the GP5000 S TR to the AS TR, we discovered the 28mm S TR tyres to be 88 grams lighter.
On the outside of the tread is the model’s ‘Lazer Grip’. A sample that’s lasered into the tread, geared toward enhancing cornering grip and stability within the moist and dry. We do not know precisely how the model does this although. Internally a Vectran Breaker has been used to additional enhance puncture safety. It is a synthetically manufactured high-tech fibre, just like spider silk apparently, and is a liquid-crystalline polymer. It’s then spun from this liquid type right into a multi-strand thread, creating one thing light-weight that has a really excessive tear resistance, just like Kevlar in a bullet-proof vest. Versatile, however very tough to penetrate. Continental additionally declare that it has zero opposed impact on rolling resistance, which might clarify why it’s used of their GP5000 S TT, whereas some TT tyres forgo safety belts altogether. The GP5000 AS TR tyres additionally function a four-ply sidewall reasonably than the three-ply of the GP5000 S TR for additional safety.
When it comes to specs, the GP5000 AS TR is out there in two color choices. The primary is a tan wall choice for individuals who like that type, nonetheless, it comes with a small weight penalty. The opposite is a black sidewalled choice, however with a Black-Reflex reflective coating to enhance visibility from the facet.
Sizes can be found from 25-35c, nonetheless, there is no such thing as a 30c choice. All tyres, save for the 25 which has a 21mm inner width most, can be utilized with as much as 25mm inner width rims as tubeless, hookless, or clincher (with an interior tube). The precise measured width when fitted to our take a look at Hunt 54 Aerodynamicist wheelset got here out at 28.5mm for the 28mm variant.
Efficiency
Impressively, the GP5000 AS TR had been comparatively simple to suit to my wheels. I’ve discovered that the GP5000 line might be an absolute nightmare to suit, requiring tyre levers, grippy gloves, and a crimson face blurting profanities. The AS TR in contrast had been impressively simple to suit, nonetheless requiring a very good quantity of wrist energy to get the ultimate push over the rim however nothing extreme. Seating them was additionally a breeze, with no manipulation required across the rim to get them to seat correctly and utilizing only a monitor pump. When it comes to set up, they’ve been one of many best tyres to suit and seat. The pair of wheels I used admittedly was a narrower one, Shimano RS170 alloy wheels which measure 23mm exterior and 17mm inner on the rim. Generally a wider rim can show tougher, however given these are my normal take a look at wheels, the GP5000 AS TR evaluate favourably to the competitors.
When it comes to how the tyres measure, the GP5000 AS TR got here out fairly true to measurement at 27.9mm on these admittedly narrower rims. On our take a look at rims for our rolling resistance take a look at, a pair of Hunt 54 Aerodynamicist Disc wheels with 20mm inner width, the tyres got here out at 28.5mm.
For testing the tyres out on the highway, it’s been fairly good climate to place an ‘all seasons’ tyre by way of its paces. A mixture of moist and dry rides, muddy lanes, hedge trimmings, and varied glass shards and particles along with busy roads has thrown just about something that might be thrown at these tyres. The thicker tread and puncture safety belt each appear to do their job very properly, with even intentional detours down lanes with contemporary lower hedges within the rain having but to lead to any punctures and even the necessity to select bits of thorns from the tyre tread. Moreover, a number of hundred kilometres have made practically zero affect on the wear and tear dots across the tyre, indicating that the tread does have a reasonably first rate lifespan. Even the rear tyre, which because of having extra weight over it tends to put on down quicker, continues to be properly spherical with put on dots totally intact.
In comparison with the usual GP5000 S TR, the primary distinction within the AS TR is the tread thickness, and apparently the tread sample however evaluating the 2 there’s a very minimal distinction except for doubtlessly deeper tread indents. This extra tread has doubtless been the trigger for the AS TR weighing in at 335g in comparison with the 247g of the S TR. That thicker tread will nearly actually contribute to an extended tyre lifespan, in addition to making it a bit tougher for international objects to get by way of and puncture the tyre.
Apparently the extra weight, even on the fringe of the rim leading to larger rotational mass, doesn’t make the wheels really feel sluggish by comparability. Sure, the wheels are maybe rather less sprightly on steeper inclines to speed up, however my take a look at wheels are nearing 2kg themselves. For race day tyres, lighter is probably going going to be that little bit simpler to stand up to hurry. However to complete first, first, you need to end, and significantly for grotty climate and poor highway surfaces, staples of the British Highway Racing scene, the GP5000 AS TR are doubtlessly much less more likely to endure from a race-ending puncture.
It was spectacular to see that the GP5000 AS TR don’t quit a lot by way of rolling resistance to the GP5000 S TR. Throughout our pedalling effectivity group take a look at on the Silverstone Sports activities Engineering Hub, we used the GP5000 S TR as our benchmark tyre. At 9m/s (32.4kph) the AS TR had been solely 3.3w per tyre slower, and at 11m/s (39.6km/h) 5.2w slower. Out of 24 tyres, this put them simply 5 locations behind the race-specific GP5000 S TR, mightily spectacular given the AS TR is an ’all seasons’ tyre reasonably than a race day one.
Using out on the highway myself, with adjustments in climate, atmospheric, and terrain situations it’s unimaginable to quantifiably say if the GP5000 AS TR are quicker than different tyres. However our testing does present them to be up there in rolling efficiency phrases with among the finest race-day tyres. One other key component in fact is cornering and grip, which had been equally spectacular. I’ve had points beforehand with GP5000 (first technology) tyres slipping on moist, out-of-the-saddle climbs. With the AS TR there have been no such points, and moist climate cornering was an space the place they felt extra planted than most different tyres I’ve used. Most likely the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR 4S got here the closest, however that didn’t carry out as nicely in rolling resistance testing. As for dry climate cornering, banking these tyres over round tight and twisty downhills I by no means felt like I used to be nearing the restrict of the tyre’s grip, extra my confidence in myself. I did set a brand new private finest down a notoriously steep and twisty descent domestically although which I journey usually, so the tyres actually don’t maintain again with regards to cornering efficiency.
A side that I like is the 2 accessible variations. I like a tan wall, I feel they appear nice more often than not. Not a lot after they get lined in highway filth and chain oil throughout winter rides, however the choice to have them is sweet. The black sidewalls will look the identical all by way of the winter, however the GP5000 AS TR have a enjoyable little showpiece. The sidewalls are reflective, and light-weight up when gentle hits them. It’s not as efficient as a flashing gentle, however for including a bit extra visibility, particularly from the facet, it’s a good security function that does nothing to detract from the efficiency.
Worth
£84.95 / $110 isn’t low cost for a tyre, particularly for a four-season tyre that’s advised as a quick coaching tyre. In actual fact, a number of tyres outperformed the GP5000 AS TR in our rolling resistance take a look at in addition to being on common £20 cheaper per tyre.
These different tyres nonetheless are race day-specific tyres, with much less puncture safety, they are not considerably quicker, and are additionally accessible in fewer widths. The GP5000 AS TR has a number of issues going for it, being each an impressively quick tyre with a considerably longer lifespan than most race day-specific tyres. This doubtless means not needing the shell out practically £90 a tyre as usually. Over the long term, the GP5000 AS TR is probably going going to show higher worth than equally fast-rolling, cheaper race day tyres. Particularly in order for you one thing that is hardy however quick.
Having the choice for 32 and 35c sizes additionally makes these a incredible choice for these wanting quick rolling and resilient tyres, however with the grip and luxury advantages that bigger quantity rubber offers.
Given the flexibility, lengthy projected lifespan, and spectacular rolling efficiency, I’d be inclined to go for these over the GP5000 S TR for UK racing or fast-paced driving. I’m prepared to sacrifice ~6w in pace for a decreased chance of punctures and a decreased charge of shopping for substitute tyres.
Verdict
The Continental GP5000 AS TR tyres are a wonderful pair of race day tyres, in addition to being a mightily spectacular all-season coaching tyre. The 2 shouldn’t be statements which might be suitable collectively, like saying a Land Rover Defender is a good race automotive or a Ferrari an ideal household off-road automobile. But one way or the other the GP5000 AS TR does each issues and does them very nicely.
Lab testing confirms that it’s a quick tyre. Rigorous subject testing exhibits that the tyres grip nicely and are proof against punctures even when being thrown into filthy, moist, potholed, cutting-laden lanes. Weight is larger, however is critical for puncture safety and elevated lifespan. They don’t seem to be low cost, however you’re impossible to search out one other tyre that might be this quick, grippy, and rugged multi functional bundle.
| Attributes | Notes | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Design and aesthetics | Tan wall and reflective choices, good vary of sizes as nicely even when 30c is missed | 9/10 |
| Efficiency | Very quick rolling in comparison with race day tyres, not to mention 4 season opponents | 10/10 |
| Tubeless setup | Very simple to get on, inflate, seat, and stay sealed | 10/10 |
| Weight | Heavier than race day tyres with related rolling resistance, however related weight to different all season tyres | 9/10 |
| Worth | Costly, however the perfect mix of efficiency and sturdiness so nicely price it | 10/10 |
| Total score | Row 5 – Cell 1 | 96% |
