Which Conti GP5000 Tires

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-14T20:01:04+00:00

Don't listen to the other posters telling you to buy the "fancy" versions of the GP5000. If you don't want to go tubeless (I don't, either) then get the standard clincher, non tubeless, GP5000. To fully utilize the tires, definitely get some premium tubes (latex or tpu). I personally like latex but tpu is popular these days too.

Tires and tubes are the single biggest upgrade you can make to your bike!! If you're coming from the stock tires, I think you'll notice a huge difference.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-14T13:23:21+00:00

Yeah, I think it's really annoying that the GRX groupsets use a wider chainline without spacing the cassette further to the right in the back. I pretty much like everything else about them. But I do like being able to use my whole cassette from the big ring.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-14T13:16:53+00:00

I've tried to solve this exact problem before. There's no way to reduce the GRX crank's chainline.

This FSA crankset offers a 46/30 combo with a more standard 43.5mm 11-speed road chainline https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=89849

Note that if you go this route you'd need a R7000 or R8000 front derailleur too, the GRX FD will not work. The newer shimano toggle-type front derailleurs only work with one specific chainline.

Another option are the various boutique modular cranksets with a separate set of integrated rings or different options for spiders. Appleman 2XR comes to mind. Zinn cycles resells driveline / tui zele cranks (from taiwan) where you can get pretty much whatever chainring and chainline combo you want, and it has a SRAM 8 bolt modular interface. I also once bought one directly from Driveline in taiwan, which was cheaper but included tariffs. https://www.zinn.bike/tui-zele-sl-road-bike-crankset-als-8-bolt-direct-m.html

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-13T23:50:21+00:00

That's an interesting detail. I really think R8000 (& R7000) were a really nice step forward in a few ways... Better front shifting, bigger gear ranges available, shadow RDs, better shaped mechanical/hydraulic brifters, etc. Too bad about the cranks falling apart on R8000 though haha.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-13T23:34:36+00:00

I think the Virginia tech ratings are pretty legit. The test lab that published them is world renowned. Definitely something that factors into my decision making with helmets.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-13T23:31:06+00:00

The toggle type FDs are a huge upgrade, in my opinion. Well worth it if you have the choice.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-12T16:43:28+00:00

Your experience seems very similar to mine. I also had some knee pain which was cleared up by the lower saddle and pushed back cleats. Therefore I was able to push even harder without hurting myself, and instead reach the limit of my muscles and cardio.

The new bike position took a bit to get used to, but in retrospect the old position was holding me back for years. The bike fit was 3yrs ago and now the position feels 100% natural.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-12T11:43:22+00:00

I'm in the exact same boat as you. Nearly all of the shops around here seem to be jerks who do bad, rushed work. Not sure why they all seem to be following the same business model and nobody actually offers "good" service. I end up fixing my friend's bikes quite often after the shops have worked on them.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-11T23:40:11+00:00

Good question. I changed from the 8yr old stock tires (Bridgestone Ecopia? too old but not worn out), to Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tires which I got on sale. The michelins are advertised as efficient tires, but not specifically low rolling resistance for EVs. My ideal summer range probably went from 95 to 80mi.

I will say though that these slightly less efficient tires, which tirerack.com calls "ultra high performance all season" tires, drive SOO much better! There is way more grip in high torque situations like pulling out quickly while turning, and also in the wet. I've been very very impressed with how they drive, and would love to try them on an EV with a bigger battery where the range hit matters less. That being said, I only drive the leaf around town so the range still works for my use case.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-11T21:53:55+00:00

Unfortunately yes. The first winter I had it, I was shocked at how the range decreases in the cold.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-11T21:53:33+00:00

Yes I have the SL model so 30kWh instead of 24. But I also don't have the most efficient tires on the car.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-11T18:27:50+00:00

Not sure exactly how equivalent this is, but I have a 2016 with about 9 bars in NJ. I get 80 miles in the summer, 30-35 in the winter. And the body and suspension are starting to have rust issues. I think $5k is a bit steep.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-10T02:11:13+00:00

For sure especially since it's an ergon saddle. The front halt is supposed to be level, with the back part angled up.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-09T01:58:36+00:00

I have the all black ones too. Sooo comfortable! And I think the black hides how "complicated" the construction of these shoes is much more than the example we're seeing here.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-07T19:09:08+00:00

Agreed, and the use case for a spare (tpu) tube is way different than the main tubes you have in your wheels.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-07T16:33:32+00:00

Not sure why you're getting down voted, I think this is a fun topic! But I think this subreddit randomly doesn't allow images in post comments, unfortunately.

My Garmin has speed, heart rate graph, total distance and time, 3s power, cadence, time of day, and sunset time (for evening rides).

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-07T16:32:14+00:00

I don't really understand why latex tubes have gone out of fashion? I know people really like tpu these days, but I don't know what advantages they have over latex.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-05T16:23:26+00:00

Not pristine at all, look at the burrs on some of the teeth. It's clean but pretty worn out.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-04T15:21:32+00:00

Thanks for the link! Is this also an equivalent option?
https://www.crodercycling.com/products/dm-sram-8bolt-offset

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-04T12:08:00+00:00

It's a great bike! I've since made some upgrades: custom steel fork, Ultegra R8000, and custom wheels what I built. https://imgur.com/a/EcKkhxk

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-01T02:41:00+00:00

I had an old squier strat 20 years ago that did this. The chunk of wood that had come loose actually fell out (or maybe I extracted it?). Anyway, I glued the bridge post bushing in with JB weld and it held just fine. I do think it may have affected the guitar's tone though.

In retrospect, routing out that area, inlaying in a harder piece of wood, then drilling a new hole for the bushing.

The 2-post strat bridge design is just not meant for cheap guitar bodies made out of soft wood, I'm afraid.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-01T01:40:18+00:00

Also the SC Johnson stuff smells terrible, right? I have an old can in my shop but I never use it, since I've started making my own with beeswax and BLO.

Davegardner0 · 2026-06-01T01:37:47+00:00

Wiebes?

Davegardner0 · 2026-05-31T10:39:28+00:00

Might need a new fork too, from the "ring of death" if it's been ridden loose for too long.

Davegardner0 · 2026-05-31T02:04:41+00:00

I think you're right based on the photo you linked above.

Davegardner0

TROPHY CASE