Continental Grand Prix 5000 £60

Continental’s famous Blackchili Compound has been improved for the new GP 5000 with emphasis on finding the sweet spot between grip and low rolling resistance. Continental claims a 330 TPI construction on its clincher. However, when making comparisons, be aware that this comes from three folded pieces of ply, at 110/60 TPI each.

Another evolution focused on the all-important goal of not stacking it, is ‘Lazer Grip’. Where in the past the tread pattern was CNC-ED into the tyre, it’s now laser printed onto the shoulder, and Continental says that this offers improved cornering.

After a season of testing on UK roads in Surrey and Kent, we found the tyres rolled well. We could push into the corners with confidence even on wet and greasy days, though they were tougher than a thoroughbred race tyre.

You also have the benefit of a newly improved Vectran Breaker layer, Continental’s puncture protection layer. What you lose in marginal gains on smoothness and a slight weight increase, you get back in not standing beside the road fixing punctures and we had zero flats while using the tyres on the rutted roads we’re used to riding.

As well as working on grip and rolling resistance, Continental has had its ears open to the ever louder conversation around comfort.

For the first time ever, it has embedded what it called ‘Active Comfort Technology’.

This sits below the Vectran Breaker, and apparently without affecting rolling resistance, dampens buzz and vibration.

Such a claim is always going to be pretty subjective – but fitting the tyres to a bike we consider to be ‘uncomfortable’ and a bit clattery, we’d say the ride quality was improved by a fraction, which is always a welcome advancement.

Options: 23, 25, 28, 32mm conti-tyres.co.uk