Continental GP4000S II Comparison: 23, 25, 28 mm Compared

Published: 2015-02-26 by Jarno Bierman


Continental Grand Prix 4000S II 23, 25, 28 mm Comparison

Note:
This article has been partially replaced by our Continental Grand Prix 5000 23, 25, 28, 32 mm comparison. The newer Continental Grand Prix 5000 article is much more detailed and includes measurements with different inner tubes, measurements at 15% tire drop, and measurements at the same comfort level.

The Continental Grand Prix 4000S II aka the "GP4000S II" has been the most popular road bike tire of the last couple of years. In this review, I'll be comparing a 23C, 25C, and 28C Grand Prix 4000S II to see how weight, size, and rolling resistance compares across different sized road bike tires.


Ad Buy Continental Grand Prix 4000S II at Amazon.com


When testing the rolling resistance of bicycle tires, I always try to use tires of the same size as much as possible to make it easier to compare different brands and models as accurately as possible. Comparing a 20C tire with a 28C from another brand doesn't give any useful data in my opinion.


Because the GP4000S II is one of the most popular road bike tires and is available in different sizes (20C is available as well), it gives an excellent opportunity to explore the differences between wider and smaller road bike tires.


I've already reviewed the 25C GP4000S II some time ago. Go here to read the detailed review and view all data in the regular Bicycle Rolling Resistance format.


If you're new to the site, don't forget to take a look at the road bike overview page to see the full list of tires that we've tested.


Test set up


All tests were performed with the same wheel, tire, load, speed, and air pressures on the same day.


I've retested the same 25C GP4000S II I've tested in July 2014 for the 25C GP4000S II review. Results were within 0.5 watts, so I've used the data from 2014 to keep the 25C data consistent across the site.


Even though the 28C GP4000S has a maximum inflation pressure of 115 psi, measurements were taken at pressures of 120, 100, 80 and 60 psi. Keep this in mind when you're comparing, but I don't think anyone is going to use 120 psi in a 28C tire anyway.


Test conditions


  • Speed of 18 mph / 29 km/h
  • Total wheel load of 94 lbs/ 42.5 kg
  • 700 x 17C wheel
  • Temperature between 21-23 °C / 70-73 °F
  • 100 grams Continental Race 28 Inner Tube

To read about all other test conditions and how tires are tested, please read the Rolling Resistance Test Conditions Explained page.


Test Results


Weight


Weight is within +/- 10 grams of manufacturer specifications for all tires. With the 23C being spot on, 25C being 10 grams lighter and the 28C 7 grams heavier than specified.


Size


On a 17C rim, at an air pressure of 100 psi, all versions of the GP4000S II measure about 2 - 3 mm wider than the specified size.


Rolling Resistance


This is where it gets really interesting. The general trend seems to be that, at the same air pressure, a wider tire has less rolling resistance.


Rolling resistance of the 25C GP4000S with a real width of 27 mm is close to the rolling resistance of the 23C GP4000S. The 28C GP4000S does have a noticeable lower rolling resistance but remember that this tire has a real measured width of 31 mm, which is a bigger step up than the 23C to 25C.


GP4000S II 23C GP4000S II 25C GP4000S II 28C
Manufacturer Weight 205 grams 225 grams 260 grams
Measured Weight 204 grams 215 grams 267 grams
Measured Width on 17C Rim 25 mm 27 mm 31 mm
Measured Height on 17C Rim 23 mm 25 mm 29 mm
Rolling Resistance 120 psi / 8.3 Bar 12.5 Watts 12.2 Watts 11.6 Watts
Rolling Resistance 100 psi / 6.9 Bar 13.1 Watts 12.9 Watts 12.0 Watts
Rolling Resistance 80 psi / 5.5 Bar 14.1 Watts 13.7 Watts 12.7 Watts
Rolling Resistance 60 psi / 4.1 Bar 16.2 Watts 15.5 Watts 14.1 Watts
CRR 120 psi / 8.3 Bar 0.00375 0.00366 0.00347
CRR 100 psi / 6.9 Bar 0.00393 0.00387 0.00360
CRR 80 psi / 5.5 Bar 0.00423 0.00411 0.00381
CRR 60 psi / 4.1 Bar 0.00486 0.00465 0.00423

Conclusion

Continental Grand Prix 4000S II 28 mm - Closeup of logo

The bigger the tire, the lower the rolling resistance at the same air pressure. When you run lower air pressures, the differences get even bigger. At a comfortable 80 psi, you're only giving up 2-3 watts for a pair of tires when going for the 28C size. That's good to know when you decide to go for a bigger tire because you like a more comfortable ride or ride on bad roads with potholes a lot.


Off-course, what will be won in the rolling resistance department, will be lost in the aerodynamics department. I'm not sure at what kind of speed this turnover point would be. This also depends greatly on the tire/wheel combo. A 28C tire on a rim that is designed for a 23C tire will perform poorer.


All in all, I think the differences aren't that significant, in particular between the 23C and 25C tires. I'm looking forward to repeating this test with other tires to see if we can apply these results to other tires as well.


Ad Buy Continental Grand Prix 4000S II at Amazon.com


Comments



Road Bike Rolling Resistance Reviews
Excludes previous models/discontinued tires
Visit the road bike overview to view all
Brand Model Watts
VittoriaCorsa Pro Speed TLR 285.6 W
VeloflexRecord TLR 256.3 W
VittoriaCorsa Speed G+ 2.0 (TLR) 257.0 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 TT TR 287.1 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 TT TR (TdF) 257.2 W
SchwalbePro One TT TLE Addix 257.5 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 S TR 258.4 W
MichelinPower Cup TLR 288.5 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 S TR 288.5 W
GoodyearEagle F1 SuperSport R TLC 288.5 W
MichelinPower Time Trial 258.6 W
VeloflexRecord (silica compound) 238.7 W
VittoriaCorsa Speed (tubular) 238.9 W
MichelinPower Cup TLR 258.9 W
VittoriaCorsa Pro TLR 289.3 W
ChallengeCriterium RS 259.4 W
VittoriaCorsa Pro TLR 269.6 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 S TR (tanwall) 259.6 W
ZippTangente Speed Tubeless 259.6 W
TufoComtura Prima TR 289.7 W
SpecializedS-Works Turbo RapidAir 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 269.8 W
ContinentalGrand Prix TT 259.9 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 2510.0 W
MichelinPower Road TLR 2510.1 W
SpecializedTurbo Cotton 2410.1 W
PirelliP Zero Velo TT 2310.2 W
ContinentalGrand Prix SuperSonic 2310.2 W
SchwalbePro One TLE Addix 2510.2 W
PirelliP Zero Velo Race TLR SL 2610.3 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 All Season TR 2810.4 W
SchwalbePro One Aero TLE (Front) 2810.5 W
VeloflexCorsa Race TLR 2510.6 W
MichelinPower Cup 2510.6 W
SpecializedTurbo Cotton Hell of the North 2810.6 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 All Season TR 2510.9 W
PirelliP Zero Race TLR SpeedCore 2810.9 W
MichelinPower Competition 2510.9 W
ContinentalGrand Prix Force II 2411.0 W
PanaracerAgilest TLR 2811.3 W
PirelliP Zero Race TLR SL (TechWall) 2811.3 W
ContinentalGrand Prix Attack II 2211.4 W
EnveSES Road Tire Tubeless 2511.4 W
BontragerR4 320 2511.5 W
SchwalbePro One Aero TLE (Rear) 2811.5 W
PirelliP Zero Race 4S 2611.6 W
SpecializedS-Works Turbo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 2811.6 W
ZippTangente Speed 2511.6 W
MavicYksion Pro UST Tubeless 2511.7 W
PirelliP Zero Velo Race TLR 2611.7 W
GoodyearEagle F1 R TLC 2811.7 W
ChallengeStrada Pro HTLR 2511.8 W
VeloflexCorsa Evo TLR 2511.9 W
HutchinsonFusion 5 Galactik TLR 11Storm 2512.0 W
VittoriaCorsa N.EXT TLR 2812.1 W
WolfpackRoad Race 2612.1 W
VittoriaCorsa G+ 2.0 TLR 2512.2 W
VittoriaCorsa G+ (tubular) 2512.3 W
VeloflexCorsa Race (clincher) 2512.3 W
VittoriaCorsa N.EXT TLR 2612.3 W
MichelinPower Road 2512.4 W
PirelliP Zero Velo 2512.5 W
VittoriaCorsa Pro Control TLR 2812.5 W
VittoriaCorsa Control G+ 2.0 TLR 2512.6 W
PirelliP Zero Race 2612.6 W
PirelliP Zero Race TLR 4S SpeedCore 2812.8 W
SchwalbePro One (tubetype) Addix 2512.8 W
SpecializedS-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 2812.8 W
VittoriaCorsa Elite (tubular) 2512.9 W
TufoComtura 4 TR 2812.9 W
CadexRace Tubeless 2513.0 W
VittoriaCorsa G+ 2.0 (open) 2513.0 W
MaxxisPadrone Tubeless Ready 2513.1 W
MaxxisHigh Road 2513.2 W
ChallengeStrada Pro 2513.4 W
SpecializedS-Works Turbo 2413.4 W
BontragerR3 Hard-Case Lite TLR 2513.6 W
PirelliP Zero Road 2613.7 W
Rene HerseChinook Pass Extralight 2813.8 W
SpecializedS-Works Turbo T2/T5 2613.8 W
PanaracerRace L Evo 3 2513.9 W
GoodyearEagle F1 TLC 2513.9 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 2514.0 W
VittoriaCorsa N.EXT 2614.0 W
ContinentalUltra Sport III 2514.1 W
VittoriaCorsa Control G+ 2.0 (open) 2514.1 W
ContinentalCompetition (tubular) 2514.2 W
MichelinPro 4 Endurance v2 2514.5 W
MichelinPower Endurance 2514.5 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 4 Season 2514.6 W
PirelliP Zero Velo 4S 2514.7 W
IRCFormula Pro Tubeless RBCC 2514.8 W
MavicYksion Elite 2515.0 W
TufoComtura Duo 2815.1 W
VittoriaZaffiro Pro G+ 2.0 2515.2 W
VittoriaRubino Pro G+ 2.0 2515.2 W
ZippTangente Course 2515.3 W
MichelinKrylion 2 Endurance 2515.4 W
MichelinPro 4 Service Course 2515.4 W
SchwalbeOne Performance Addix 2515.4 W
SchwalbeOne TLE Performance Addix 2515.8 W
MichelinLithion 2 2515.9 W
PirelliCinturato Velo TLR 2616.0 W
SchwalbePro One HT (tubular) 2516.1 W
PanaracerRace A Evo 3 2516.4 W
SchwalbeDurano Plus Addix 2516.4 W
ClementStrada LGG 2516.9 W
MichelinDynamic Sport 2517.3 W
PanaracerRace D Evo 3 2517.4 W
SchwalbeDurano 2518.0 W
SchwalbeLugano II 2518.0 W
VredesteinFortezza Senso All Weather 2518.0 W
ContinentalGatorskin 2519.3 W
ContinentalGator Hardshell 2519.5 W
SchwalbeDurano DD Addix 2519.5 W
MichelinPower All Season 2521.3 W
MaxxisRe-Fuse 2522.6 W
View All
CX/Gravel Rolling Resistance Reviews
Brand Model Watts
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 S TR 3212.8 W
Rene HerseSnoqualmie Pass TC Extralight 4413.5 W
ChallengeStrada Bianca Pro HTLR 4014.8 W
UltradynamicoCava Race 3314.9 W
SchwalbePro One TLE Addix 3415.5 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 All Season TR 3515.6 W
SchwalbeG-One RS Super Race 3515.7 W
ChallengeStrada Bianca Pro HTLR 3615.7 W
SchwalbePro One TLE Addix 3215.8 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 TL 3216.0 W
SchwalbeG-One RS Super Race 4016.2 W
ContinentalGrand Prix 5000 All Season TR 3216.3 W
ContinentalTerra Speed TR (tanwall) 4516.4 W
PanaracerGravelKing TLC 3516.6 W
VittoriaCorsa N.EXT TLR 3216.7 W
PanaracerGravelKing TLC 4017.0 W
ContinentalTerra Speed TR 3517.0 W
VittoriaCorsa N.EXT TLR 3417.2 W
ChallengeGetaway Pro HTLR 4017.4 W
Rene HerseSnoqualmie Pass TC 4417.4 W
TufoGravel Thundero 4017.4 W
TufoGravel Speedero 4017.5 W
SchwalbeG-One RS Super Race 4517.6 W
ContinentalTerra Speed TR 4017.8 W
TufoGravel Thundero 4418.1 W
TufoGravel Speedero 3618.2 W
ContinentalTerra Hardpack TR 5018.6 W
UltradynamicoCava Race 4218.9 W
PanaracerGravelKing TLC 3219.0 W
TufoGravel Thundero HD 4019.2 W
PanaracerGravelKing SS TLC 4019.2 W
PirelliCinturato Gravel H 4019.5 W
Rene HerseSnoqualmie Pass TC Endurance 4419.6 W
SpecializedRoubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready 3219.7 W
SchwalbeG-One Overland Super Ground SpeedGrip 5020.0 W
TufoGravel Swampero 4020.1 W
SpecializedS-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 4220.2 W
SpecializedS-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 3520.2 W
MichelinPower Gravel 3520.3 W
SpecializedPathfinder Pro 2Bliss Ready 4220.3 W
Rene HerseBarlow Pass TC 3820.4 W
PanaracerGravelKing SK TLC 4020.9 W
ChallengeStrada Bianca Race TLR 3621.2 W
ChallengeGetaway XP Pro HTLR 4021.3 W
PirelliCinturato Cross H 3321.4 W
ContinentalSpeed King CX RaceSport 3221.4 W
PirelliCinturato Gravel M 4521.7 W
VittoriaMezcal III TNT G+ 2.0 4421.9 W
MichelinPower Gravel (v2) 4021.9 W
ContinentalTerra Trail TR 4022.2 W
HutchinsonOveride 3522.2 W
PirelliCinturato Gravel M 4022.7 W
WTBRiddler TCS Light 3722.8 W
MichelinPower Adventure TLR 4822.9 W
SpecializedPathfinder Pro 2Bliss Ready 3823.0 W
Rene HerseSteilacoom TC 3823.1 W
PanaracerGravelKing Plus TLC 3523.1 W
VittoriaTerreno Dry TNT G+ 2.0 3323.2 W
PirelliCinturato Gravel RC 4023.2 W
ZippG40 XPLR 4023.3 W
VittoriaTerreno Zero TNTG+ 2.0 3723.4 W
Rene HerseHurricane Ridge TC Extralight 4223.8 W
PirelliCinturato Velo 3523.8 W
TeravailCannonball Light & Supple 4223.9 W
SchwalbeG-One R Super Race 4024.2 W
MaxxisReaver EXO/TR 4024.2 W
WolfpackGravel SuperSpeed TLR 4024.2 W
Rene HerseSnoqualmie Pass TC Endurance Plus 4424.3 W
Rene HerseHurricane Ridge TC 4224.4 W
PirelliCinturato Gravel RC-X 4024.7 W
VredesteinAventura 3824.7 W
SchwalbeG-One Bite Super Ground SpeedGrip 4024.8 W
WTBResolute TCS Light 4224.8 W
SchwalbeG-One Speed Super Ground V-Guard SpeedGrip 4024.8 W
MaxxisRambler EXO/TR 120 TPI 4025.0 W
PanaracerGravelKing SS Plus TLC 4025.5 W
VittoriaTerreno Mix TNT G+ 2.0 3325.6 W
PirelliCinturato Gravel S 4025.6 W
ChallengeGrifo Pro 3325.7 W
WTBNano TCS Light 4025.8 W
PirelliCinturato Cross M 3325.9 W
SchwalbeG-One Ultrabite TLE SpeedGrip 4026.0 W
SchwalbeG-One Allround Super Ground SpeedGrip 4026.0 W
IRCBoken Doublecross 4226.3 W
WTBByway TCS Light SG2 4026.6 W
VittoriaTerreno Dry TLR G+ 2.0 4026.6 W
VittoriaTerreno Wet TNT G+ 2.0 3328.4 W
ChallengeGravel Grinder 3328.7 W
HutchinsonTouareg Hardskin TLR 4029.0 W
PirelliCinturato All Road 4029.7 W
MaxxisRe-Fuse Gravel 4030.1 W
BontragerGR1 Team Issue 4030.4 W
GoodyearConnector Ultimate 3531.4 W
View All
Mountain Bike Rolling Resistance Reviews
Excludes previous models/discontinued tires
Visit the MTB overview to view all
Brand Model Watts
SchwalbeThunder Burt Super Ground Addix Speed15.7 W
SchwalbeRocket Ron LiteSkin Addix Speed18.1 W
ContinentalRace King Protection (E-25)18.2 W
SchwalbeRacing Ralph Super Ground Addix Speed19.0 W
ContinentalSpeed King II RaceSport19.1 W
SchwalbeRacing Ralph LiteSkin Addix Speed20.5 W
SchwalbeRacing Ralph Super Race Addix Speed21.5 W
SchwalbeRocket Ron TL-E Addix Speed22.2 W
ContinentalRace King RaceSport22.4 W
SchwalbeRacing Ralph 2019 TLE Addix Speed22.5 W
SchwalbeRocket Ron TL-E Addix SpeedGrip22.7 W
VittoriaMezcal TNT G+ 2.023.5 W
SchwalbeRacing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip23.8 W
SchwalbeRacing Ralph TL-E Addix SpeedGrip24.2 W
VittoriaMezcal XC Race TLR G+ 2.024.4 W
ContinentalCross King Protection 29x2.224.5 W
ContinentalRace King Performance ShieldWall24.9 W
VittoriaBarzo TNT G+ 2.025.5 W
SpecializedS-Works Renegade 2BR T5/T725.9 W
SpecializedS-Works Fast Trak 2BR T5/T726.0 W
MaxxisAspen EXO TR26.1 W
IRCMythos XC26.3 W
ContinentalRace King Performance26.3 W
MaxxisRekon Race EXO TR26.6 W
MaxxisRekon Race MaxxSpeed EXO/TR26.8 W
SpecializedS-Works Ground Control 2BR26.8 W
MaxxisIkon 3C MaxxSpeed TLR27.0 W
ContinentalRace King Sport27.0 W
ContinentalCross King Protection 29x2.328.4 W
MaxxisAspen MaxxSpeed EXO/TR28.5 W
MichelinJet XCR28.7 W
PirelliScorpion XC RC Lite Team Edition28.8 W
MaxxisArdent Race 3C EXO TR30.6 W
MichelinForce XC30.8 W
ContinentalMountain King II RaceSport31.5 W
MichelinForce AM32.9 W
KendaSmall Block Eight35.6 W
MaxxisIkon eXCeption Silkworm38.2 W
TufoXC11 TR38.6 W
VittoriaAKA40.7 W
View All
Touring Bike Rolling Resistance Reviews
Brand Model Watts
CompassBon Jon Pass15.6 W
ContinentalGrand Prix Urban16.9 W
SchwalbeMarathon Almotion (OneStar)17.1 W
VittoriaVoyager Hyper17.7 W
ContinentalContact Urban18.4 W
SchwalbeMarathon Efficiency18.5 W
SchwalbeMarathon Supreme19.1 W
SchwalbeMarathon Almotion Addix19.4 W
SchwalbeMarathon Almotion TLE Addix19.7 W
PanaracerPasela PT (ProTite)20.6 W
ContinentalSport Contact II20.6 W
SchwalbeMarathon (GreenGuard)21.3 W
SchwalbeEnergizer Plus21.5 W
CSTE-Series Reach21.9 W
SchwalbeGreen Marathon22.4 W
ContinentalTop Contact II24.2 W
ContinentalUrban Taraxagum24.2 W
ContinentalContact II24.3 W
SchwalbeMarathon Racer24.6 W
SchwalbeKojak24.8 W
ContinentalCity Ride II25.1 W
SchwalbeMarathon Plus25.5 W
SchwalbeMarathon Mondial Evo26.7 W
VredesteinPerfect-E27.3 W
SchwalbeMarathon E-Plus27.4 W
ContinentalTop Contact Winter II28.5 W
VittoriaRandonneur32.4 W
ContinentalE.Contact33.4 W
View All
Fat Bike Rolling Resistance Reviews
Brand Model Watts
SchwalbeJumbo Jim LiteSkin PaceStar29.4 W
SchwalbeJumbo Jim SnakeSkin31.1 W
SpecializedFast Trak Fat35.9 W
VeeRubber Vee 838.3 W
SurlyLarry40.9 W
45NRTHVan Helga43.5 W
45NRTHHusker Du44.2 W
SurlyLarry 27 TPI45.5 W
VittoriaBomboloni TNT46.4 W
MaxxisMammoth47.2 W
PanaracerFat B Nimble47.9 W
KendaJuggernaut Pro51.7 W
View All