Road Bike Tire Test: Continental Grand Prix TT 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 9.9 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 34 Points
- Static Wet Grip: No Data
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Continental Grand Prix TT 25
(100% is best)
The Continental Grand Prix TT is a tire optimized to gain those last few seconds in the race against the clock. While the Grand Prix TT has been available for some time in the 23-622 size, I'm testing a brand new 25-622 version. After waiting for more than a year for this tire to become available, it finally arrived at my door two weeks ago. I'm not sure if this new 25 mm version will be easy to get a hold of, but the 23 mm version is readily available.
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To make the Grand Prix TT a truly no compromise tire optimized for speed, it comes with only a limited amount of tread depth. You shouldn't buy these tires if you want your tires to last a long time. The TT does come with a Vectran Breaker under the tread that helps protect against punctures. Continental claims the Vectran layer only adds a slight amount of rolling resistance.
Just like the Continental Grand Prix 4000S II (read review), the Grand Prix TT uses the well known Black Chili compound and a 3/330 carcass. On paper, both these tires seem very closely related. The Grand Prix 4000S II has proven to be a great mix between speed, puncture resistance and tread life. Let's see how much lower rolling resistance can go at the cost of puncture resistance and tread life.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Continental |
| Model | Grand Prix TT |
| Year | 2016 |
| Tire Type | Tubetype (clincher) |
| Supplied By | Supplied by Continental |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | 0101077 |
| TPI | 3/330 |
| Compound | Black Chili |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 190 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 120 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
23-622 (700x23C) 25-622 (700x25C) |
Continental Grand Prix TT 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 190 grams |
| Measured Weight | 195 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + inner tube (100 gr) |
295 grams |
| Measured Width | 27 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 24 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 1.9 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| 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. | |
Claimed weight of the 25-622 Grand Prix TT is 190 grams; my sample came in at a weight of 195 grams. Just like the Grand Prix 4000S II, the 25-622 TT measures 27 mm wide at an air pressure of 100 psi on a 17C rim. Height is 24 mm, which is 1 mm less than the 4000S.
Continental claims this tire to be a limited tread depth tire, but how limited is limited? With a total tire thickness of 1.9 mm, the TT is a thin tire. The GP4000S II came in at a more average 2.9 mm. After subtracting the thickness of the carcass and Vectran layer, I'm estimating the TT to have close to 0.7 mm of usable tread to wear down. The GP4000S II should have closer to 1.7 mm of usable tread. The thin tread means tire life will be 35 - 40% of a GP4000S II.
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) |
9.9 Watts CRR: 0.00297 |
| 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) |
10.5 Watts CRR: 0.00315 |
| 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) |
Members Only |
| 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) |
Members Only |
| 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. |
|
Please note that all these tests are performed with the same 100 grams butyl inner tube. When substituting the 100 grams butyl tube with a latex tube, rolling resistance will be another 1.5 - 2.5 watts lower (link). Fitted with a latex tube, this should be one of the fastest tires available.
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 34 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 8 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 1.9 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Low rolling resistance and low tread thickness don't relate to a great performance in the puncture resistance test. In the puncture resistance tread test, the Grand Prix TT scores a low 8 points. Although tread thickness is very low, it does have a Vectran layer that provides some puncture protection. 8 points is comparable to the Vittoria Rubino Pro Speed (read review) but much lower than the all-round tires like the GP4000S II etc that score 11 - 12 points in the same test.
In the sidewall test, performance is average. With a score of 4 points, the TT scores in line with most other road bike tires without reinforced sidewalls.
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 TT 25
(100% is best)
If you're looking for a very fast road bike tire that will shave those last few seconds off of your time-trial, and you don't care about tire life or puncture resistance, the Continental Grand Prix TT is an awesome tire. For a pair of tires, these will save you 5+ watts over the popular GP4000S II (read review) or other all-round tires that do provide higher mileage and better puncture resistance.
Fitted with latex tubes, the Grand Prix TT is one of the fastest tires on the market and will be hard to beat by even the best tubular tires.
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RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended