Continental AS 35 vs Pirelli TLR 35

[Steve Curtis]

I'm interested to know if anyone has ridden both the Continental Grand Prix 5000 All Season TR 35 and
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore 35 ?

General opinions etc
Many thanks

[CustomMetal]

I have ridden the AS in 32 and 35. I have just installed the pirelli in 40. Won't be a direct apples to apples but will revert when i've put some miles on them

[Steve Curtis]

Interesting, thank you.

I'm undecided on 40, 35 or even 32. It depends on any toe overlap with the front mudguard.
I'm 99% sure I can do a 35 with no issues but it depends how big they get on a 25mm I'd.

Last winter was on the GP5000 urban 35 with TPU tubes. Total weight was just under 400g but I'm looking for more wet grip and ideally something faster.

[CustomMetal]

My 5000 AS 35mm was 36mm on a 25mm internal

[jayjay]

Would be the Grand Prix 5000 All Season TR or the Grand Prix Urban (both 35mm) be better for use with TPU tubes

[Steve Curtis]

I really like the Urban. They're cheap and do everything pretty well, but the newer tyres roll faster, and and grip more in wet conditions which is why I'm looking to change.

On my 25mm Id rims they blow up to 38mm which is pretty bloody big.

My main issue is regardless of pressure , they're never really as comfortable as the size would suggest. I've used everything from 60psi to 45 and comfort never really improves but they get slower.

[bobones]

I'm interested to know if anyone has ridden both the Continental Grand Prix 5000 All Season TR 35 and
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore 35 ?

General opinions etc
Many thanks

I rode the AS TR 35s last winter and I've been using the Pirellis P Zero Race 40s for a few weeks now. The contis feel tougher and thicker in the hand, and I think this translates to better road feel with the Pirellis, so even though they are wider and a little heavier, the P Zeros feel a bit less sluggish to me. Could just be my imagination, but I don't feel unduly hindered speedwise with these, whereas I could perceive some extra effort required to build up momentum with the AS TRs. Probably just placebo or confirmation bias than any real performance difference.

I get the impression that the Pirellis are made a little smaller for the equivalent size, so, although they are nominally 5 mm wider, on my wheels the WAM is only 3 mm more (38 vs 41 on 40/29 rims at ~40 PSI). I can still fit both under mudguards, which is great.

Both hold air very well with Orange Seal, but I felt the AS TRs absorbed quite a lot and need frequent top ups. The AS TRs did not cut at all, and I only got one snake-bite puncture with them when I slammed straight into a kerb that I didn't see coming. It's too early to tell with the Pirellis how well the sealant behaves or how resistant they are to cuts or punctures.

They're both meant to have good wet grip, but I am surprised that I still get wheel spin out of the saddle on moderate, greasy slopes with such wide tyres. I have also felt my back wheel step out just mildly banking on a wet roundabout with the AS TRs, so I'm not really seeing the massively improved grip that wide tyres and rims are said to bring. IME, it's still wise to be cautious in damp or wet conditions even with these behemoths.

Comfortwise, they're both fine, but I'm left somewhat underwhelmed: bumpy roads are still bumpy, so don't expect a hovercraft like experience or a transformational magic carpet ride. Obviously, they can absorb big hits, so there is extra confidence gained when riding in the dark, but when I switch bikes to narrower tyres, I don't notice any signficant loss of comfort just riding along. The kool-aid just doesn't go down easily with me in this regard

[Steve Curtis]

I'm interested to know if anyone has ridden both the Continental Grand Prix 5000 All Season TR 35 and
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore 35 ?

General opinions etc
Many thanks

I rode the AS TR 35s last winter and I've been using the Pirellis P Zero Race 40s for a few weeks now. The contis feel tougher and thicker in the hand, and I think this translates to better road feel with the Pirellis, so even though they are wider and a little heavier, the P Zeros feel a bit less sluggish to me. Could just be my imagination, but I don't feel unduly hindered speedwise with these, whereas I could perceive some extra effort required to build up momentum with the AS TRs. Probably just placebo or confirmation bias than any real performance difference.

I get the impression that the Pirellis are made a little smaller for the equivalent size, so, although they are nominally 5 mm wider, on my wheels the WAM is only 3 mm more (38 vs 41 on 40/29 rims at ~40 PSI). I can still fit both under mudguards, which is great.

Both hold air very well with Orange Seal, but I felt the AS TRs absorbed quite a lot and need frequent top ups. The AS TRs did not cut at all, and I only got one snake-bite puncture with them when I slammed straight into a kerb that I didn't see coming. It's too early to tell with the Pirellis how well the sealant behaves or how resistant they are to cuts or punctures.

They're both meant to have good wet grip, but I am surprised that I still get wheel spin out of the saddle on moderate, greasy slopes with such wide tyres. I have also felt my back wheel step out just mildly banking on a wet roundabout with the AS TRs, so I'm not really seeing the massively improved grip that wide tyres and rims are said to bring. IME, it's still wise to be cautious in damp or wet conditions even with these behemoths.

Comfortwise, they're both fine, but I'm left somewhat underwhelmed: bumpy roads are still bumpy, so don't expect a hovercraft like experience or a transformational magic carpet ride. Obviously, they can absorb big hits, so there is extra confidence gained when riding in the dark, but when I switch bikes to narrower tyres, I don't notice any signficant loss of comfort just riding along. The kool-aid just doesn't go down easily with me in this regard

Interesting stuff. Thanks for taking the time to respond in detail.

As a comparison, my general bike is a Caledonia 5 with 25id rims and 30mm GP5000s and TPU tubes. These blow up to 33, so still a pretty big tyre.
The ride is great and superb for smashing around the shitty backroads where I live. The winter build will use another set of the same wheels so it's a good comparison for feel and grip.

The winter bike is a Reilly Spectre with the same wheels and the GP urbans mentioned above. Obviously there is only so fast you can go on a full winter build with mudguards etc so more grip would be and some free speed .
As you say, volume is great for those unseen potholes, puddles etc so I think that naturally give more confidence, and as a result, more speed and a better riding experience.

Apparently the AS's are soft, did you experience any excess wear ? ( I know that's difficult to quantify )

[bobones]

Apparently the AS's are soft, did you experience any excess wear ? ( I know that's difficult to quantify )

Not at all. There is plenty of life in them after one winter, and I could easily get another out of them by swapping the front and rear. If anything, they feel more robust and durable than the Pirellis, at least in the hand. I just fancied trying the 40s when they came out and had no real reason to change from the AS TRs. My garage is full of tyres than I've taken off early just because I wanted to try something else!

[dgdracing]

I have ridden the 32 AS TR on road, gravel, heavy gravel, wet and dry -> just very good tire, from the rolling on asphalt it feels quite fast - so I can recommend it fully

[Steve Curtis]

I have ridden the AS in 32 and 35. I have just installed the pirelli in 40. Won't be a direct apples to apples but will revert when i've put some miles on them

Any update after some winter riding ? I still can't decide 🥹

[CustomMetal]

Bloody love them. A tad slower to pick up speed and a bit heavier on the climb but good grip and ride feel. They are staying on for the winter

[Steve Curtis]

Bloody love them. A tad slower to pick up speed and a bit heavier on the climb but good grip and ride feel. They are staying on for the winter

Great. Not apples to apples vs the AS 35 but how is the comfort level?
Thanks

[razorree]

Why don't you compare it to P Zero Race 4S ?
any experience with 4S version ?

[Steve Curtis]

Why don't you compare it to P Zero Race 4S ?
any experience with 4S version ?

Because the 4s has a max size of 30mm, and from what I can see they are no better than the GP5000 30mm E-50 which I already have.
I also can't find any details about the compound on the 4s and its ability in the cold. It's supposed to be the same as the regular version which isn't tailored for cold conditions, however, if anybody has this info I'd be greatful.

Unfortunately BRR only test at 21/22c so some winter /4s tyres may not show their additional grip until much lower temps. This is why their wet grip test doesn't help me much and I'm asking for real life experiences .