Cycling UK Forum

Firstly massive thanks to the forum. Posted a couple of times now, and the help and advice I've received has been brilliant and really helpful. My next question is, and I apologise if it's a obvious one, which tyre is better for my needs:
A - Continental GP5000 AS TR Black Folding Road Tyre or
B - Continental Grand Prix 4-Season tyre

I'm doing the coast to coast and going for 700x28 currently on 700x25. I've decided I want 1 of the above 2 tyres. The Continental Grand Prix 4-Season tyre are slightly cheaper, however, not by much so thinking the GP5000 AS TR may be better. Any advice really welcome, or would you recommend another.

A is really a summer tyre whereas B is meant to do well in cooler/wet conditions too. That said I doubt that you would be disappointed with either.

I've toured on the 28mm Conti GP4S and would do so again, though if they fit the bike I'd now choose 32mm. It's fairly robust for a road tyre, though still well short of what most would consider a touring tyre. I've never used the GP5000 so can't compare.
I don't think any performance advantage will make a difference on the C2C, I'd choose based on it's use afterwards rather than this one ride. If you were just buying with this ride in mind, I'd chose the 30mm Marathon Racer (Which on my rims usually measure a bit smaller), even if you swapped them for something faster after, they'd be worth hanging on to as winter tyres.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tyres-large ... -30-30622/

You'll be pleased to know that you can compare the two tyres (25mm size) here... https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.co ... 5000-as-tr

NB the GP4 measures larger than the 5000, which I expected from previous experience
Look at puncture resistance and grip as well.
The GP4 has Conti's "Black "Max Grip Silica" compound optimised for wet weather adhesion, low temperatures and extended tread life" https://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/road-and- ... x-4-season

The GP4 is cheaper too

I use both tyres in 25mm width as neither bike will take any wider, GP5000 on summer bike and GP4s on winter bike and both are excellent tyres. I'm starting the C2C next Sunday and have decided to ride my winter bike with mudguards and much lower gearing and is fitted with the GP4s and hopefully they will be fine.

I ride the fastest summer tyres I can get all year round and even tour on them. Currently using GP5000 in tubeless and tubed flavours, other bikes on older Schwalbes until they wear out. I do it because tyres make more difference than anything else to how your bike rides, so I economise elsewhere but not on tyres. No significant issues with punctures, but the rear tyre wears more quickly than something heavier would.

Having done the C2C Whitehaven to Tynemouth a few years ago I'd recommend the GP 4 Seasons over the less tough GP5000s. There are many beautiful but somewhat rough sections. Wider tyres are a good idea. The Waskerley Way section is cinder for example. Given the current state of the roads I doubt the route has become smoother since I did it. It's a fantastic cycle in fabulous countryside, enjoy.
I used 32mm Marathons for it.

I found the sidewalls on the GP4Seasons to be a weak point. I had 2 sidewall blowouts, both on GP4S’s and I’ve done thousands and thousands of miles on other Conti tyres (Gatorskins, GP4000, GP5000, Grand Prix GT) and never had a blowout on any of them. Others may have different experiences. YMMV.

TrevA wrote: ↑8 Sep 2024, 3:47pm I found the sidewalls on the GP4Seasons to be a weak point. I had 2 sidewall blowouts, both on GP4S’s and I’ve done thousands and thousands of miles on other Conti tyres (Gatorskins, GP4000, GP5000, Grand Prix GT) and never had a blowout on any of them. Others may have different experiences. YMMV.

That's a problem I've also had with the GP4s, good tyres while they lasted but the sidewall problems meant they wore out before the tread was halfway down. For that reason I'd recommend the GP5000 which are my go to summer tyres (and winter too after the last GP4s gave up)

videoman wrote: ↑8 Sep 2024, 8:30am I use both tyres in 25mm width as neither bike will take any wider, GP5000 on summer bike and GP4s on winter bike and both are excellent tyres. I'm starting the C2C next Sunday and have decided to ride my winter bike with mudguards and much lower gearing and is fitted with the GP4s and hopefully they will be fine.

This is exactly my experience. Having said that, my GP4s have had a couple of p*******s, and the sidewalls have frayed but not blown out. I do most of my riding on GP4s so if I'm going to have a few issues it's most likely to be on those tyres anyway.