The subject of bigger road tyres has been a hot topic for over a year now and I was excited when Continental announced the introduction of some bigger volumes.
I’m a fan of larger road tyres. As a taller, heavier rider, the move to 30mm tyres I made a couple of years ago gave me a big improvement in ride quality.
I’ve had my Continental GP5000 S TR 35mm test samples for a few months now and I’m hugely impressed by the ride.
It’s the same familiar, sticky compound, and the same textured surface that provides impeccable grip in the dry and gives me lots of confidence in the wet.
Moving up
Moving up to 35mm also means I’ve been able to drop my tyre pressures, vastly improving comfort. On 30mm-wide tyres, I’m running 58psi up front and 62psi at the rear. With the increase to 35mm, that has dropped to 49psi at the front and 52psi at the rear.
The nigh-on 10psi drop front and rear may not sound like much, but the effect on the road is huge. Poor surfaces, which are the bane of any British road cyclist, are handled better. Ride smoothness improves noticeably and grip is better in all weather.
Bigger isn't always better
Now, any rider concerned about bike weights will have reservations, and there are still plenty of weight weenies out there.
The 35mm GP5000s weigh in at a not inconsiderable 365g each. Compared to a 28mm GP5000 at 280g, that’s an 85g jump per tyre – a total of 170g. Then there’s extra sealant to consider – on a pair of 28s you’ll need 125ml, but for 35mm tyres, that jumps to 140ml.
So, the weight penalty is almost 200g. That's not a deal-breaker for me, especially because the ride quality is so, so good, but I can see how it could be an issue for some.
In contrast, on my latest bike, I’m using Tufo’s racy Comtura Prima in a 32mm and this weighs in at 254.9g, so lighter than a 28mm GP5000, and a fair bit lighter than this 35mm version.
The other big downside, however, is trickier to negate – and that’s compatibility.
Most of the latest endurance bikes provide 35mm of clearance. However, when it comes to race bikes, big names such as the Specialized Tarmac SL8 only have provision for 32mm, and Giant’s TCR offers 33mm clearance.
This got me thinking – if, like me, you don’t necessarily buy, or have the budget to buy, a new bike every couple of years, larger tyres could be an issue.
I have a lot of bikes, but I struggled to find a road bike in my collection these tyres would fit.
I didn’t expect them to fit old favourites such as my Giant TCR Advanced SL from 2018 – and they don’t.
The same goes for my custom titanium Lynskey endurance bike from 2017, and of course none of my rim-brake bikes stand a chance. I’d expect that, but more ‘current’ bikes such as my Tarmac SL6 and third-generation Cannondale SuperSix EVO – even the super-versatile Rondo HVRT – can’t take a 35mm.
Continental GP5000 S TR 35mm initial verdict
The 35mm Continentals do fit my Vitus Venon Evo, another versatile endurance/all-road bike from 2023. You could, of course, 'roadify' a gravel bike with a second set of wheels and a the 35mm GP5000s.
The bike industry is often criticised for pushing new standards on its customers, such as big road tyres, or the shift to 50mm+ gravel tyres (I also don’t own a gravel bike that can take 50mm tyres).
Whether or not I'd buy these tyres is a difficult decision, because they offer serious tangible benefits: better ride quality, grip and speed on more stubborn surfaces.
Do they merit a whole new bike, though?
Well, I won’t be selling my favourite racy bikes just yet, but I know I’m in the enviable position of having multiple bikes and testing many more.
So, my advice would be you shouldn’t feel compelled to upgrade your bike now, but when it comes to your next road bike purchase do not skimp on tyre clearances.
