The Continental 5000 TL is an exceptional tire when dealing with heavy braking forces on very steep descents; on tight corners that require lots of heavy disc braking they prove very predictable and controllable. Performance in the wet is excellent too, with no significant decrease in grip compared to riding dry roads.

Ride quality is exceptional. Continental added a sliver of elastomer material to the tire, which it calls Active Comfort Technology, to provide additional damping qualities. It appears to work. These tires feel as smooth and supple as the highest quality high TPI tires I've tested in the past (a Vittoria Corsa springs to mind) with silky smooth composure over coarse road surfaces.

Durability of the tires over the 1,000km of testing miles has been very impressive. There are no signs of damage, no cuts or scrapes across the top of the tire. I've yet to puncture them, which could just be sheer good luck rather than anything the tire is doing, but could point towards the Vectran Breaker doing its task well.