Review on 🚴 2-Pack Continental Grand Prix 5000 Bike Tires by Gary Reed

My guess is that the German Volkswagen engineers involved in the VW emissions cheating scandal were immediately hired by Continental in the bicycle tire department after they were fired to improve the GP4000SII tires on them make it faster, more aerodynamic, lighter, etc. I suspect that, as you might expect, after an hour or so they decided to just rename the tires: 25mm tires were now called 28s; etc. Mission accomplished; and wind tunnel, checked to scale. The GP4000 sz 28 measured 28-29 when fitted to my wheelset (18.5mm inner, 25mm outer) at 60psi. At this volume, 60psi will fit (and deliver a surprisingly smooth, yet efficient and safe ride). When installed, the dimensions of the sz 28 GP5000 are just under 25, with the same wheel set and the same pressure. At 60psi, the rear wheel (which had the tire mounted on it and the GP4000 stayed in front) "bounced” alarmingly, corners and turns seemed downright dangerous, and I checked often to see if I had a flat tire. At 85psi (and no less) the problem diminished and the ride was the same as a 25mm tire (-). THIS IS NOT A 28MM TIRE. One CO2 cartridge results in a slightly under-inflated GP4000 tire; the same cartridge produces a hard/crowded GP5000 tire. The difference in air volume and thus in the required/optimal tire pressure is significant. 95psi is the recommended tire pressure with a maximum of 110. So who should buy a 28mm GP5000 tire? Of course, nobody wants the best ride quality on a 28mm tire; This tire certainly cannot do that! The difference is dramatic. Certainly not a semi-professional (or higher level) rider who (as I said) still prefers 25s. Of course, this isn't a price-conscious customer looking for a deal: this item's retail price is typically 50% higher than most of its competitors. Who will buy it? Definitely those who bought (and fell in love with) its predecessor just to forgo Bait and Switch. They can/should buy a 32mm tire assuming it is actually their old 28mm tire (re-labelled by VW engineers). I'll wait for another driver to do this experiment before funding another round of drinks for the Conti engineers who were said to be at the bar after completing their hour redesigning (relabeling) this product. Going forward, one can only hope that it's not for the German aviation industry. If so, and perhaps as a precaution, I wouldn't use Lufthansa for a while.