The Continental GatorSkin is a famously durable training, touring or commuting road tire featuring a combination of three flat protection technologies. 60 TPI per layer in the casing preserves ride feel while remaining tough.
Bead-to-bead layer of DuraSkin woven fibers helps prevent cuts especially in the vulnerable sidewall. PolyX breaker directly under the tread on the Gatorskin adds puncture protection where most flats occur. Continental includes a special high carbon compound for longer tread life. Black tread with black/brown DuraSkin side wall.
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The product weight specified is an approximate weight based on the manufacturer's specifications (if available) or our measurement of one or two examples. For most products, the weight will typically vary by 5% to 10%.
Wheel Size: 700C/29" (ISO 622) | |
Tire Type: Clincher-Folding | |
Threads Per Inch: 180 | |
700c x 23mm | Weight: 220 grams |
Mfg PartNum: C1010623 | |
Tire Width: 23mm (0.9in) | |
ISO (ETRTO) Size: 23-622 mm | |
Max Pressure: 120 TPI | |
700c x 25mm | Weight: 240 grams |
Mfg PartNum: C1010725 | |
Tire Width: 25mm (1.0in) | |
ISO (ETRTO) Size: 23-622 mm | |
Max Pressure: 120 PSI | |
700c x 28mm | Weight: 320 grams |
Mfg PartNum: C1010429 | |
Tire Width: 28mm (1.1in) | |
ISO (ETRTO) Size: 28-622 mm | |
Max Pressure: 116 TPI | |
700c X 32mm | Weight: 320 grams |
Mfg PartNum: C1010433 | |
Tire Width: 32mm (1.3in) |
It's the only tire that I have on my 2 bikes. Over the years I have learned that this is the best flat protection that you can have. i encounter a lot of broken glass in our city bike routes and this tire is just the best for that.
This tire (and the "Hardshell" version are my tried and true favorites for long recreational and endurance rides. I have thousands of miles on these tires and still don't worry about punctures, which are a big issue where I typically ride. Even tho they are slightly heavier and stiffer than some other rubber, it is way more than worth it... they ride smoothly and efficiently, and are durable enough that I save a lot of dirty/wasted time on a ride when I get a flat. Great buy!
California roads are so bad that there is glass and fine wires from worn out steel belted car tires that are wearing out and dropping these wires all over the place. While Gatorskins are normally very flat proof, those steel wires will go right through them. This is all due to Biden's inflation making normal food so expensive that people are putting off buying new tires, The same thing happened in Obama's Great Recession.
They are very nice tires, except for when they get a little age on them. They start to delaminate and start peeling apart thread by thread on the sidewall. They get tangled up in the rear and front brake assemblies and the rear cassette as you ride.
As soon as a stock tire is done (or it sucks) - I slap on a gatorskin. Gatorskins are my go to summer tire - grips well, fast, durable, and not terribly expensive. I find them comfortable as well. I very seldom get flats running gatorskins, it happens but not often (once over multiple summer seasons). They look good, too.
Mounted a 27 x 1 1/4 on an old, but in good condition steel wheel. Inflated it to about 90 or so. I guess the capacity is 85 or so? Blammo as I rode like my first or second ride. The ex;plosion hurt my ears! I'll put the review at 3 stars because the Gatorskin enjoys such a good reputation and the other tire is working fine. I don't run a tire liner with it like I do all the rest of my tires. No flats yet. Also not reviewed higher because the tire is so big! It's kind of balloon like despite being labeled the size I ordered.
Gatorskins are my go-to tire for training rides. After 50 years of biking I've been through a lot of tires and have learned that cheap is not better. Gatorskins wear well, give very good flat protection, are good in all weather conditions. They handle very well and give the rider one less thing to worry about. Comparing the folding Gatorskin to the wire bead model doesn't leave much to say. The weight difference is no issue and road performance is the same for both. Mounting the folding vs. the wire bead is another non-issue. So, the only thing I see in difference is the ability to fold one Gatorskin smaller than you can fold the other which means if you ever need a spare TIRE for a long ride the folding has an advantage.
I would recommend either Gatorskin to any rider from the Casual Cyclist to the Racer. It's intended use and best application is every ride except where your level of competition demands ultra-lightweight gear.
The tires feel great, and made me feel absolutely unstoppable on my new bike. Unfortunately, on the third ride the rear tire punctured. I was biking on a flat road closed to cars, with no glass or debris in sight, and I got a flat with a huge gash in the tire. While I know it was bad luck, I�m pretty disappointed in the integrity of the product. I had to immediately purchase a new tire, despite investing in quality tires that I thought would last me years.
I would categorize these tires as training tires. They don't roll as nicely as a race tire, but they provide better than average protection from flats. I've been using this model tire for over 10 years and they have a pretty good track record for resisting flats. If you are reading this and think like I do and want pretty good protection, I recommend buying these tires. I do keep a built up carbon fiber wheel set with Pirelli tires for going fast and I put Continental Gaterskins on the aluminum wheelset for my training and long distance rides
I purchased these on sale in the 32mm size. I use them on a Space Horse with gravel rims that have an ID of 21mm.
I have used Gatorskins for years and there isn't really anything I can add to the already glowing reviews. They are very flat resistant, the ride is not too hard of a ride, and while not the fastest tires they don't feel like I have bricks for wheels.
Why, though, have I never thought to use them with latex tubes??? The ride is simply extraordinary! Yes I know that ride quality is not measurable, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. These tires are fantastic with latex tubes.
I have a 2nd set of wheels for the Space Horse with Schwalbe 40mm gravel tires set up tubeless. The Gatorskins with latex compare favorably to the ride quality of those.
As I am living in a big city and do most of my rides in the city. I am always finding broken glass on my bike paths. And not always possible to avoid all this glass. I have learned over many years that this tire is my best flat protection !
Love my gatorskins. Often go months without a flat. I often hear how hard they are to get on and off. I too struggled til I learned the lessons to doing it more easily and quickly.
A quality tire that rolls well and resists puncture
Love my gatorskins. Often go months without a flat. I often hear how hard they are to get on and off. I too struggled til I learned the lessons to doing it more easily and quickly.
A quality tire that rolls well and resists puncture