Wondering if the Continental GP 5000 was still the recommended race tire for basic tubed clincher wheels. I checked out bikerollingresistance.com, and they had very detailed analysis, but sort of overwhelming. Having flatted in races, I’m willing to give up rolling resistance for puncture resistance. Also going with 25mm, vs 23mm current.
Yup, still up there.
Yep, GP 5000
As for Diameter, it’s all about the rule of 105
“The Rule of 105 states that the rim must be at least 105% the width of the tire if you have any chance of re-capturing airflow from the tire and controlling it or smoothing it.”
https://blog.silca.cc/part-5-tire-pressure-and-aerodynamics
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Well that was a very informative article, now I’m rethinking the tire width. I heard so much about running a wider tire with lower pressure decreasing rolling resistance that it was a no brained. Looks like a trade off with aerodynamic efficiency.
Wondering if the Continental GP 5000 was still the recommended race tire for basic tubed clincher wheels. I checked out bikerollingresistance.com, and they had very detailed analysis, but sort of overwhelming. Having flatted in races, I’m willing to give up rolling resistance for puncture resistance. Also going with 25mm, vs 23mm current.
What wheels do you have?
These: SUPERTEAM Carbon Fiber Road Bike Wheels 700C Clincher Wheelset 50mm Matte 23 Width
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I prefer the michelin power time trials over the gp 5000. Likely slightly more fragile but I’ve never flatted with them and they’re super easy to mount. They do have a 23mm tire but it will inflate slightly larger than the 23mm gp5000 so the gp5 is probably the best choice.
The mounting of the GP 5000 is a concern. I do practice tube changes (after flatting in a race, installing the tube twisted, flatting again, finishing the bike leg on a flat). The thought of having a difficult time installing a tire after flatting in the race really sours me to the GP.
The mounting of the GP 5000 is a concern.
I’ve found this to be very wheel/rim specific. Just within our household quiver of wheels in rotation - Conti GP 5000’s on Zipp 454 NSW’s - super easy mounting. Same on HED Ardennes - REALLY hard!
so if the internal width of my rim is 19mm, i should technically be running my 21mm tires (or in this matter 19mm tires), at like 80psi, vs the 23mm i run at 74 psi?
It’s about comparing the maximum width of the rim vs the maximum width if the tire installed and inflated. ( measured with calipers, not just going by the stamp on the sidewall, internal width and inflation pressure will effect measured width once installed )
If you have an internal width of 19 mm but your maximum width on the rim is 30 mm, you can get away with a 28 mm wide tire.
If your maximum rim width is 24.5 mm then i’d max out at 23 mm measured tire width.
Etc.
I recently went with Michelin’s Pro4 Service Course. Terrible name though. Easier to mount than GPs, nice and light (205gms for 23mm), feel good rolling long, and usually on sale somewhere that makes them a great value too.
The mounting of the GP 5000 is a concern.
I’ve found this to be very wheel/rim specific. Just within our household quiver of wheels in rotation - Conti GP 5000’s on Zipp 454 NSW’s - super easy mounting. Same on HED Ardennes - REALLY hard!
I use HED jets, and the 5000’s are very difficult to mount on those too, to the point that I’ve considered carrying a kool stop tire jack tool in my race flat kit.
It would be nice to try an easier fitting tire, but I’m nervous about giving up the puncture resistance of the GP’s…