TobinHatesYou wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 12:35 am
World Tour teams are sponsored, and the GP5K TT is a great tire so I would happily be sponsored by Continental. Ineos famously didn't have a single flat in the TdF while running the GP5K TT almost exclusively.
Since we're not sponsored, we can mix-n-match whatever tires we want without breaking out the black marker pen. The P Zero Race TLR RS is close enough in Crr, has noticeably more grip even in dry conditions, and it's a more robust tire. The only thing is the tread compound isn't as hard wearing, but that's not something I care deeply about.
For windy road races, Aero 111 + GP5K TT TR
For technical crits, Aero 111 + P Zero Race TLR RS
For rainy days, Aero 111 + P Zero Race TLR RS
For 10mi TTs, GP5K TT TR x2
For long TTs + strong winds, Aero 111 + GP5K TT TR
Sure, world tour teams are sponsors--and I, thankfully, am not longer bound to ride Schwalbe Pro 1's in the PNW (black marker is real!); but those teams can opt for the TT and currently they all have access to the 111. Many still opt to ride the 5000S, including in the 28 (so it's not an ETRRO thing). And funny enough, the year after Ineos (no flat year), the following year some riders opted for the S of the TT.
Personally, I'm on board with the TT, but the fact is that the S is certainly still more than relevant. It consistently tests (slightly) faster than the RS, it's known to have good aerodyanamics (the eyeball windtunnel suggests the Pirille will do well there as well), and the handling is a known quantitity.
As far as the RS compares to the S, "more robust" is questionable, at least in the 30mm size. There's significantly less tread coverage on the RS vs. the 5000S, and ultimately I think that may count for more? I mean, I'd trust either tire, but it's not so clear cut that the RS is a more robust tire in that size. In a 28, sure.
Regarding where the Aero 111 fits into the discussion, I found it pretty interesting that in Aerocoach's testing on a deep wheel, the 5000TT and Aero 111 were a wash out to 15 degrees, so clearly it's wheel-dependent. I also wonder about the aerodynamics on a wide wheel? Clearly it offers a signficant improvement on some wheels in terms of aero, particularly more shallow/narrow wheels, and it seems to offer a handling advantage according to some (not all) reports. I do wonder what happens is super-windy conditions when you get past the stall angle as far as handling is concerned? I could see the tire handling really well, until it doesn't...
For me, I'm gonna roll the 5000S TT's next year on the road. I've found that in wet conditions, lower pressure makes the wet grip acceptable, and for me, I'm just used to how the tire handles. I'm using the RS's right now as a winter tire to try it out. I like it just fine, but at least in the 30 it has some odd handling characterists to me pushing it on a fast descent. It seems to grip well and then get a bit dicey when really leaned over. I had some rear slippy and front wheel chatter that I didn't love. And ultimately, for me, familiarity with a tire can trump published wet grip numbers on BRR... My opinion my change on this as I get more miles on the tire.
And back to the 111, I still see a pretty narrow use case for this tire personally. I'm not sure this will change either, as I'm not sure they're going to be able to produce a TT version of it.
