Conti's cream-walled GP5000s: a sophisticated combination of style and performance
Continental releases a Tour de France edition GP5000 clincher with cream side walls, satisfying demand from a significant segment of road riders chasing at once durability, performance and style. This is such a striking update to the original (released in black) that one wonders why it wasn’t apart of the GP5000’s initial launch in 2018.
“We don’t just come out with a new tire because the market demands it,” explained Oliver Anhuth, Continental’s global head of marketing, at the time of the initial release. With the GP5000 credentials now well-known, Conti has seemingly relented to influencer demand for a handsomer version, and true to form, manages to satisfy all camps with a smooth, fast-rolling road tire that leaves nothing behind.
Using the same cream colour as the Terra Speed gravel tire released earlier in 2020, the TdF edition has a distinct hue of tan compared to Schwalbe, Vittoria and others. One can assume Conti is using this year’s TdF merely to launch what will become a mainstay in their lineup. “Technology, handling and performance are always the major factors for a new release and we’re happy with how this one turned out,” said Continental spokesperson Sarah Hohmann-Spohr about the release over email.
Cream-walls celebrate what is definitely a unique 2020 TdF satisfying a large segment of style and performance-minded road riders. Priced at €69.90, they are being sold in a modern/ traditional width of 25mm and come in at a claimed weight of 255g per tire.
The GP5000s come complete with Continental’s traditionally stiff tire bead; once mounted they are every bit the fast-roller as the original, cornering and climbing quickly, rolling easy on smooth tarmac - only in an undeniably better looking casing. Cycling snob or not, they look pro AF.
While Conti has historically erred on the side of traditionalism, never pandering to market demand simply because, the aesthetic to which this design ascribes - simplicity, beauty, multi-facetedness - is akin to Continental’s personality itself, striking a balance between style and performance to which few others can match. On wet and dry roads, they feel grippy and great to ride; neither modish nor performance seekers will feel as if they’ve had to sacrifice here.
We expect them to be a popular choice at the Tour and for a long time following. Find them online while you can.