Road Bike Tire Test: Continental Grand Prix 4000 RS 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 12.3 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 40 Points
- Static Wet Grip: No Data
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Continental Grand Prix 4000 RS 25
(100% is best)
The Continental Grand Prix 4000 RS is a special Tour de France edition of the Grand Prix 4000S II. The 4000 RS is marked as a limited edition tire, but I'm sure if this tire proves popular enough, Conti might make it available year-round. The big difference when compared to the regular Grand Prix 4000 S II is a thinner tread which results in a lower weight of 205 grams instead of 225 grams and a 15% lower rolling resistance.
In this review, I'll be comparing the Grand Prix 4000 RS (GP4000RS) with the regular Grand Prix 4000 S II (GP4000SII) and the time-trial Grand Prix TT (GPTT). I've measured the tread thickness of the GP4000RS to be 2.3 mm which falls exactly within the GP4000SII's (read review) tread thickness of 2.6-2.9 mm and the GPTT's (read review) tread thickness of 1.8-2.0 mm. All three of these tires use the same 3/330 TPI casing so it's interesting to see how the change in tread thickness affects the performance of these tires.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Continental |
| Model | Grand Prix 4000 RS |
| Year | 2018 |
| Tire Type | Tubetype (clincher) |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 0101667 |
| TPI | 3/330 |
| Compound | Black Chili |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 205 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 120 |
| Made In | Pro Data |
| Available Sizes | 25-622 (700x25c) |
Continental Grand Prix 4000 RS 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 205 grams |
| Measured Weight | 205 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + inner tube (100 gr) |
305 grams |
| Measured Width | 27 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 24 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.3 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Unmounted Casing Width | No Data |
| Unmounted Tread Width | No Data |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | No Data |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Weight. I've measured the GP4000RS at 205 grams which is exactly the specified weight.
Size. The real measured width of this tire is 27 mm at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.8 bars, mounted to a 17C rim. The measured height is 24 mm which is the same as the GPTT and 1 mm less than the GP4000SII.
Tire Thickness. Total thickness of the tire at the center of the tread comes in at 2.3 mm. The sidewalls have a thickness of 0.55 mm.
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | Conti Race28 (100gr butyl) |
| Measured Width | 27 mm (un-round) |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar 25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar 28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 barUltra High Air Pressure (120 psi / 8.3 bar) |
Pro Data |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar 25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar 28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 barExtra High Air Pressure (100 psi / 6.9 bar) |
Pro Data |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar 25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar 28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 barHigh Air Pressure (80 psi / 5.5 bar) |
12.3 Watts CRR: 0.00369 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 barMedium Air Pressure (60 psi / 4.1 bar) |
Pro Data |
| The Road Bike section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load. |
|
Just like the GP4000SII (read review) and GPTT (read review), the GP4000RS performs great in the rolling resistance tests. At the highest air pressure of 120 psi / 8.3 bars, the GP4000RS comes in at 10.5 watts which is 1.7 watts less than the GP4000SII and just 0.6 watts more than the GPTT. At lower air pressures, the difference stays the same with the GP4000RS coming in closer to the GPTT than the GP4000SII.
To be fair, the differences between these tires are so small that the test accuracy of ~0.5 watts will start to become a factor. I think it's safe to assume the GP4000RS should fit right between the GP4000SII and GPTT in the rolling resistance tests purely based on the tread thickness and weight of these tires. Other things to consider is that the test data of the GP4000SII is from 2014 and the GPTT is from 2016, it's possible Conti made some slight tweaks to their Black Chili compound so a 2018 GP4000SII could be slightly faster than the 2014 version.
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 40 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 9 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.3 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Pro Data |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Pro Data |
In the puncture resistance tests, we see the exact same thing: The GP4000RS comes in right between the GP4000SII and the GPTT. This once again all comes down to the age-old compromise of rolling resistance and puncture resistance. When using the exact same tech, you just can't expect puncture resistance to stay the same when making the tread thinner to improve rolling resistance.
Static Grip Test Results
NOTE: Grip test data is only available on tires tested after November 2018. You can find more information about our grip test here: Introducing Grip Testing
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | No Data |
| Wet Grip Center | No Data |
| Wet Grip Edge | No Data |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Continental Grand Prix 4000 RS 25
(100% is best)
With the GP4000RS, Continental created a tire that fits right between the GP4000SII (read review) and GPTT (read review) in total tread thickness, weight, rolling resistance, and puncture resistance. For everybody that had a hard time deciding between the GP4000SII and GPTT, it might now be easier to just pick the GP4000RS. Unfortunately, this easy choice might only be temporary as the GP4000RS is currently a limited edition tire. Let's hope Continental just starts selling this tire year-round.
If you want to compare the GP4000RS side by side with the GP4000SII and GPTT, and really dig into the numbers, here is a direct link to our comparison section: Grand Prix 4000 RS Vs Grand Prix 4000S II Vs Grand Prix TT.
RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended