I only rode this saddle one time. It is light weight, low in padding (mostly stiff with little padding), and narrow at 140 cm. This saddle may be great for a smaller frame, but it just did not fit me. Also of note is the rather squarish nose, which seemed to rub my inner thigh. I am 6 ft, and 189 lb, so I am not exactly a small guy. I ride for the joy and fitness, not racing. I gave the saddle a 4 star, because I did not hate it, it just did not fit.
I've been a Continental Road Tire fan for over a decade now and these tires are no exception. They wear well and overall provide grip in all spring, summer and fall conditions. (No snow or Ice).
I'm riding 32mm AS version as tubeless setup with Orange Seal Endurance and I have them on 25mm internal Bontrager rims so they blow up to be about 34mm external. They provide a phenomenally comfortable feeling on the road. I run them at 46/48 psi with my 73kg weight. I've ridden these in lots of wet conditions, dry gravel, limestone trails and some really rough stuff that I wished I had even larger and they performed well beyond my expectations. I do inspect them after rides and pull out any items that seem to be stuck in them and then use some super glue to close up the small nicks and cuts. No plugs needed this past year so I'm counting my blessings there.
I currently have 4,158 miles on them (no joke) and I've just now had the rear tire not show the TWI (Tire Wear Indicators) disappear. I'm beyond impressed with these and will be retiring them this winter and replacing them with a brand new pair.
I have been using the Grand Prix series of tires (Grand Prix, GP2000, GP3000, GP4000 and 4000S II, and now GP5000) since 1994 when they were original equipment on my Cannondale. Originally 23mm wide, of course, then 25mm and now mostly 28mm. I consider myself an enthusiast - not a racer, but a relatively high mileage (8,500 miles this year) rider including local shop rides, fondos, and longer solo rides. The GP5000 tires are ideal for my "best" bike, for the more ambitious rides - fast, good ride quality, reasonable wear and reliable. I use cheaper, more durable tires on other bikes, for shorter, local rides, errands, etc., and the difference in speed and comfort is obvious to me (and to Strava).
Like everyone else, my email is full of great deals on everything bike related. But when I check the reviews of other equivalent tires vs. the GP5000s, I don't see any reason to switch. Everything else is typically slower, and not offering any benefits in return for higher rolling resistance.
I am finding that current production runs are truer to size than they were a few years ago - I'm seeing maybe 28.4mm width on a 28C tire, on 18mm internal width rims where some older tires would be closer to 30mm.
I've had good service experience with several sets of GP5000 clinchers from 28mm to 32mm in width. More durable than Vittoria Corsas in my experience. Bead diameter is very consistent across individual tires...so if one fits well on your wheels, subsequent ones will too. If you are coming from the old Conti GP 4000sII, please note that a 25C GP4000sII has roughly the same tire width mounted as a 28C GP5000. Continental did adjust their width sizing between the two models.
