GP5000S TR issue (Getting bigger and softer)

[Replenish]

Hi everyone.

I wish to share an issue that I realised after a year of using GP5K STR(s) on various bikes I owned throughout. A few of my mates do experience the same as well, so I was wondering if anyone here felt the same too.

For this tire, I noticed that when it is new and fresh, it rides extremely well. But after 500-600km on it, it starts to feel soft/sluggish despite same tubes and PSI setup.

Could it be that the rubber actually becomes softer?

I could definitely notice the difference in road feel and performance when it's new compared to 500-600km later. It's almost feels slower.

My mates who experienced this told me yeah they notice it and they actually don't mind as it gives them more comfort.

However, I feel that it is robbing me of energy when it comes to accelerating and climbing.


Have anyone felt the same ?

[Nickldn]

^ Interesting. I've done about 3,000km on a pair on 25mm ST R's and they look and feel pretty damn good. The rear even isn't excessively worn and the front looks near brand new.

Overall Contis are usually robust and maintain their shape well.

[Mr.Gib]

IMO there is no mystery here. Tire wears, gets thinner, becomes more supple, conforms to road surface imperfections more efficiently, is more comfortable, less noise and "rattling" along, and as a consequence feels slower but is in fact faster. If you want to duplicate the feeling of the tire when new, just add a few psi. Your brain might tell you it's faster, but unless your riding in Switzerland, it'll most likely be slower.

[TobinHatesYou]

GP5K S TRs feel horrible to me for 1-2 rides, and then they are sufficiently broken-in. After that I can't feel any difference between a GP5K S TR with 250km on it or one with 6000km on it.