Conti GP5k TR – punctures every ride

My wife bought an ex-demo Pinarello Dogma running Cont GP5k TR’s and every ride she gets a puncture with the associated white stuff everywhere.  She was running pressures of 85 instead of below 70’s as per Sram’s calculator.  We will try that next.

Did a read a few years ago that there was a bad batch of Conti GP’s?  The bike is approx two years old so maybe time the swap them out.  Not sure I agree with tubeless on road bike tbh, any thoughts?

So the tyres are two+ years sold?? Sounds like they may be worn out

Also, I’m 90kg and ride 25mm Conti 5000 tubeless and I run the around 60-65psi so 85 psi seems very high…

Have you replaced the sealant? As above, 85 is high.  What width are the tyres?

Suggest replacing with Stans if you haven’t already and maybe even Stans Race if you like those kinds of pressures. Note – Stans Race needs to be poured in with one side off the rim.

What is causing the punctures? Are the tyres worn out/withered? Tbh if you bought a demo from a retailer, would like to think they would have swapped the tyres or at least checked they were set up correctly with sealant etc.

Tubeless doesn’t work in high pressure tyres. All the air is out before the sealant has time to work

GP5000 is a race tyre not a commuter, it’ll always be prone to punctures on everyday UK roads

I’m on the latest versions, 32mm, and running 60psi on a 21mm rim, I’m 88kg. So yeah, that sounds a fair bit too high. I accidentally took mine down a Kent lane that looked more like an MX track, thought I’d rip them to pieces but came out the other side with two small holes that I eventually sealed with dynaplugs. 700km on them so far, no other issues, well pleased

Pressure is way too high. I’m running 53psi in some 28mm GP5000 at 70kg.

I would replace the tyres. GP5000’s are not remotely puncture prone, even at those pressures. I haven’t had a single puncture in 2024 (over 3000 miles) – it’s usually a once or twice a year event.

Pressure is way too high!

I run GP5000s at 60psi (tubed).

I get about one puncture every 10,000 km…

At that pressure, I would say any previous punctures are just going to blow the sealant out and never seal.

Firstly reduce to the correct pressure and if they are still going down, replace as the tyres are past it

Thanks very much.  I ride the same but tubed and haven’t had a puncture in years (change the tyres every two years).  My wife almost every ride.  Mostly Surrey Hills

Unless unlucky with a nail or whatever; I usually find a puncture is an early warning ‘end of life’ signal for a Conti race tyre. One COULD be unlucky, two (unrelated) in a row: tyre’s had it / reached its terminal mileage

What are the tread wear indicators showing?

I have never used the tubeless version, but have ridden thousands of miles on 28mm GP5000s with very few punctures. They are an extremely hardy tyre, even on potholed minor roads.

The All Weather, or all season version (I forget what they call it) is £10 more, but many less punctures for hardly any weight penalty.

 One COULD be unlucky, two (unrelated) in a row: tyre’s had it / reached its terminal mileage

But also this in Conti tyres.

 I run GP5000s at 60psi (tubed).

Same, with a touring load,( I’m over 100kgs)

Unless unlucky with a nail or whatever; I usually find a puncture is an early warning ‘end of life’ signal for a Conti race tyre

Same, had one last week that sealed fine (about 65 psi) after spraying half the bunch in Orange Seal…I ran it for a couple more rides before deciding to switch it.

GP5000 is a race tyre not a commuter, it’ll always be prone to punctures on everyday UK roads

I’ve been running a tubed pair of 28mm at 60psi without any punctures*, approx 5k KM per year.

*probably jinxed it now

4.5y and 35k km on 32mm GP5000 TL/TR as a commuter tyre and only 2 punctures.  I’d say they’re a bloody brilliant commuter tyres.

Crucially, you can also get them off the rim roadside if you have to.  I’ve never needed to. An anchovy and superglue has always worked fine.

The only thing going against them is price.  At £120/5000km/pair, they’re more expensive than the 19” Continental Ecocontact tyres on my BMW i3 on a per mile basis.

Old tyres pressure too high. Replace the tyres with new and run at 65PSi or 60 depending on rider and bike weight. I know when my tyres are worn out when I start getting lots of punctures or when the wear indents have disappeared.

GP5000 tubeless are great tyres I’ve done quite a few 200 mile rides on mine. They’re probably worn out now. Luckily I have spares in the garage.

Glad the experiences are positive, as I’d ordered a pair just prior to reading this thread! From Merlin by the way, down to £55 each. Went for 30mm and will run them around 55/60psi, I’m 75kg.

That SRAM guide is interesting. Recommends either side of 70psi rather than the 80 I’m running my 28mm go 4 seasons at.

So, when using the SRAM tyre pressure calculator is the casing of the GP 5000S thin, standard, reinforced or double ply??? ?‍♂️

Thin, but I wouldn’t use the Sram calc – the pressures are still too high. I find the ‘low’ recommendation from Rene Herse to be spot on for UK roads.

https://www.renehersecycles.com/tire-pressure-calculator/

Selecting Reinforced gives a more realistic pressure – more in line with the Rene Herse calculation.

I use the Silca one anyway…

Silca Tyre Pressure

Use this:

SILCA Professional Tire Pressure Calculator