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Recent Reviews
Absolutely the best brand and model Conti has for road bikes. I have run a variation of the GP for about two decades! They should tell you something. The bad reviews for flats and sidewall issues have me perplexed a bit. I am not saying there can't be a few bad ones that get by, but I really wonder if it is a road quality issue or improperly mounted by the rider. I ride some junk roads on daily routes too, and knock on wood, no issues like I had with Michelin tires I use to run. These 5000's are truly a race tire and very durable. I even have a daily section of over a football field length of gravel to reach the black top and no issues. Go get yourself a set and those who think the tire is bad that have used them.....check what your roads are like or get them mounted professionally then reassess. If you do in fact have rough roads you may need a gravel bike instead!
The compound used in these tires is very nice, making for a plush but responsive ride at the right PSI. They do wear quicker than gator skins but for the comfort and lateral stability, it�s totally worth it.
I use my bike for commuting and transportation so the bike stays for long-ish periods of time in inclement weather/light conditions. I chalk up my hatred of conti sidewalls to this factor. The sidewalls get crispy or dried out in spots and are so damned sensitive that they look instantly threadbare in patches that scrape curb lips or edges of potholes. I�ve been told by mechanics that much of the stringy threading on conti sidewalls is cosmetic; as long as rubber walls are intact on the inner side of the tire, it�s fine. I haven�t had a catastrophic failure yet but fingers crossed.
The gatorskins are great all around tire. Good grip, pretty quick and tough as nails. They're not as light as Conti's race products (which are awesome as well) but for everyday riding these tires can't be beat. When Bike Tires Direct runs a special, they're even more attractive. Buy three because the rear wears about two to one, and always but a new set of Conti tubes. Because you don't want to be "that guy" who is always holding up your buds fixing your stuff!
I have used these off and on for years on my CCX. In my opinion they offer the best ride of all the tires I have used in that price range. They are brutal to get off and pretty hard to put on, I use two dull metal screw drivers. They last me about 5,000 km of mixed use, I ride them down to the cord and I rarely get a flat. Get the bike shop where you buy them to put them on, if you puncture the tube putting them on, you will be leaving a very nasty review here. Otherwise buy your tires at a box store and get a box of patches.