Continental

Grand Prix 5000 TdF LTD Edition Tire - Clincher

The Grand Prix 5000 TdF LTD Edition Tire from Continental showcases a throwback to time-honored tire construction with a cream sidewall. And we're smitten. The LTD uses the same materials and design as the standard GP5000, a tire which has quickly endeared itself to road racers and endurance cyclists alike. The LTD is a more than worthy successor to its Grand Prix 4000 S II — a tire that stood atop its road clincher tire range for a dozen or so years and a favorite among cyclists worldwide. What made the GP4000 so universally loved was that it was indeed a competition-worthy tire in weight, grip, and rolling resistance. Unlike typical racing rubber, the casing was durable enough to fend off debris so you could train on it daily, while also lasting long enough so you could rack up some miles before the threads began to show.

We'll start with its rubber compound as it continues to use Black Chili balance. The rubber compound is critical because it defines the tire's grip, rolling resistance, and longevity. Typically, you can't alter one without it affecting the other, which is precisely where Black Chili shines. Using the latest knowledge of polymers and raw material research, Conti uses special synthetic rubbers and proven natural rubber, creating a high-performance mixture. To it, it adds super-tiny carbon black particles, optimized in shape and surface properties.

The sophisticated compound technology is so exclusive that Conti only manufactures tires using Black Chili compound in its Korbach, Germany plant. The tiny size of Black Chili particles allows them to mold to variable road surfaces more readily. It gives the tire greater ability to conform to imperfections in the road surface for excellent grip in demanding situations, such as high-speed cornering, while also reducing rolling resistance. Since the Black Chili particles are so small, more particles fit into the tire's contact patch, reducing wear and increasing longevity.

As of now, the LTD is available in 700c x 25mm only, but given the strikingly gorgeous look of Conti’s cream sidewall, we are eagerly awaiting future options.