CONTINENTAL GRAND PRIX 5000 TL 28MM

£65.99 The German tyre specialist joins the tubeless party

WEIGHT 325g per tyre

It’s notable that while the tubeless road market was expanding fast, Continental steadfastly refused to join the party, but that has all changed with the introduction of the Grand Prix 5000. Now available with a tubeless option for the first time, the wait was very much worth it. This is a tyre that offers near identical performance to the clincher but with tubeless benefits, such as reduced puncture risk.

Installation of the GP5000 tyres is a painless affair, although Continental forbids the use of hookless rims, which rules out some modern wheels from

Hunt, Enve and Zipp, to name a few. Compatibility issues aside, once fitted they retain air pressure nicely.

The construction is a little different to the clincher version. The casing is made from three layers of 60 TPI compared to the 110 TPI of the clincher tyres. An airtight liner is added and the bead is modified for easier fitting and better air retention. There’s the same Active Comfort – a vibration-damping technology embedded into the tyre – and a Vectran strip for added puncture protection. As with the clincher version, the Black Chili compounds give astounding levels of traction. They feel quick in the dry with no hint they’re holding you back. Onto damp roads and they continue to find excellent grip, allowing you to ride with confidence in tricky conditions. Descending ability is similarly impressive. Durability and puncture protection is excellent, too, making these fantastic year-round, fit-and-forget tyres.

In the wet, they still find excellent grip, allowing you to ride with confidence