We've used these for two decades on our tandem and we finds them to be great for that use.
I bought these because that was what the guy who built my bike put on the bike back in 2008. After 6 years they finally wore out. Now, after 1 year, they are cracking. I am so disappointed. For the money I paid I sure did not get the results I wanted.
Using the 28 on my training bike. Fits and I run it at 75 psi. Really smooth ride for those 50 plus mile days.
Continental's Gatorskins offer a great value, fast, nice ride and bulletproof!!!
What more do you want?
Have been able to get around 1000 miles on the rear tires, and twice that on the front. Have yet to get a flat on these tires
I assembled my first road bike a few years back with a cannondale frame, SRAM red crank and ultegra gruppo. I put gator skins on a lightweight Token wheelset.
The conti's are amazing. Phenomenal durability - they've sustained considerable abuse on the gravel and thorn littered back roads of California's central coast.
I've worn them to the point that the belting is exposed - time to replace. Oh by the way, they've lasted two seasons and I've never had a single flat.
Good dry road traction on smooth Tarmac. Ride is a bit firm. The gator skin dos not have a soft tread. Not the best for wet weather traction, the combination of a smooth tread crown and hard tread means they operate best on dry pavement.
Tires are on my Trek 5.9
These are not indestructible. A piece of glass the size of a candy corn embedded itself straight through the center of the tire, puncturing the tube. I also have numerous small cuts all over the tire, but I haven't found a tire that won't get these kinds of cuts either. I'm still searching for a more puncture resistant tire.
I ride most of my miles in an urban environment where road debris is a constant problem. These tires are highly puncture resistant. On the last set I had zero flat tires in over 3000 miles. They ride a little harder that some tires, but minimizing flat tires, for me, is well worth it.
I always buy the fold-able type because they are easier to install if you do have a problem on the road. The last set I installed were noticeably harder to install. They must have changed the bead somehow, because it was more difficult to get them on the rims than the previous pair I installed. Otherwise, that's my only gripe.
Stick to the ground, even when it's wet. No flats on the morning commute yet.
This is about the same review I gave the Hardshells, its hard to tell the difference between them, but I think I get just a little more wear from the Hardshells. That said I'll pick which ever tire is on sale. The only thing that will defeat these are embedded debris that you might miss on an inspection before a ride, and radial tire wire can be a big problem, but nothing will keep you from flatting if you pick that up. Side walls can get a bit rough looking, but I've never see that cause a problem, I've had a couple of side punctures but have gotten home by an emergency plastic inside patch. Both flats were cause by a sharp rock slamming into the side of the tire. Expect between 3-5k miles out of these tires, wet conditions are not handled very well and these tires do not corner the best, but your training not racing on these, your training buddies will start copying you after they been riding a while with you...
Ride these tires, or the 4 season, almost always. I prefer the 4 season, but it only comes no larger than 28, and the 28 is about 26. these 32s measure about 29 on an open pro rim. Overall a good tire, and they last me a long time, 2000 mi
I have used these tires for over 7 years. I had one front tire last for 4000 miles. I usually get around 1000 miles on a rear tire. The kevlar helps protect against sidewall failure, but I did have one fail once due to a road crack that I rode into. It is a heavy tire, but I ride mostly long distance and care more about durability vs. speed impact.
I'm an everyday rider to work and from, weekend extremist. I've been riding these tires for more than 6 months, and by far in all terrain this rubber holds you up and won't fail you in the least bit in satisfaction. Great for the price and durability. If I had three thumbs they'd all be up! -SanAnTexMan
No flats for years.
Great tire, rides smooth
This tire was phenomenal on my Rivendell touring bike and I now use them on my Specialized Roubaix. Great, comfortable ride, good traction, and wear like iron. I went over 2000 miles without a flat before replacing the tires because the back was work more than front so I decided to change out both. I told my brother about them and he's sold now, riding over 8000 miles yearly and far fewer flats.
I was constantly getting flats from broken glass. These tires have gone weeks with no issue. The rear was a little low yesterday after work, pumped it up and came home. Next morning, flat. I was disappointed. Then I found a 34 inch brad straight into the tire. Can't fault the tire it got me home.
20 minutes into my first ride on Gatorskins, my Kevlar bead failed, resulting in the tire jumping the rim and a blowout. Second time out, I got a flat in 20 minutes on the other one. I live in Fort Myers FL, and have had more flats here in one year than in 30 years and 30,000 miles in PA. Bought Gatorskins to address this. Little pieces of springy wire catch on the tire, and despite cleaning the tire with my gloved hand as I ride, these pieces infiltrate themselves into the tire tread until they puncture the tube. Gatorskins do not prevent this, so far.
Just completed a four day ride on the Ohio to Erie trail. We had lots of rain and wind resulting a trail filled with leaves, sticks, walnuts, branches, and at one point broken glass. My Gatorskins don't even have a cut on them. Highly recommended.
