Continental Gatorskins are your best bang for the buck. They aren't the cheapest but you definitely get loooong life and very good road hazard protection. They are built with a tougher interior to prevent that intrusive thorn or glass bit that may stall the ride. Yet still give an excellent road control and comfort. Two thumbs for these babies!!!
I use the Gatorskin tire for road rides. The CONTINENTAL GATORSKIN 700C ROAD TIRE (WIRE BEAD) is the best tire for our county chip seals. It's durable and smooth. It's a bit heavy, but I don't care as I don't race.
I found that my 23C tires were a bit delicate and unforgiving for daily rides. These Continentals are a bit heavier, but seem durable, and are still very fast. The ride is certainly more comfortable. Very happy with this purchase
I live in Wisconsin and ride year-round-about 3k miles annually. Normally I run 28mm or 32mm Conti TouringContact because I like the extra grip on the loose terrains, but the Gatorskins were on special so I went with them for the SpringSummer season and so far no punctures (and the higher PSI makes for faster riding). Smooth and tank-like! I have been through many pools of broken glass, countless construction sites littered with garbage, infinite potholes. No flats! The one consolation with a tire like this for a commuter is that they feel shaky and a little frightening on gravel and other non-solid surfaces. But on a smooth road they are a delight.
I have a tire jack so installing these isn't the issue for me that it is for some folks, they are difficult to get that last bit of bead up and over. I've got these on all the bikes in the house now and between these great tires and our pre-ride inspection to remove any little bits that might work their way to the tube, we're happily flat-free.
Currently it's my front tire on my daily rider. Includes an occasional by-weekly work commute of 16 miles round trip through NW industrial streets, picking up groceries and the running of random errands in the neighborhood. I've used this brand of tire for the past six years and have never had an issue. I'm not the most technical or demanding of rider, but for what I throw at it, it's rock solid.
This is my go-to tire. I was getting so many flats and now I do not. The tire rolls just fine and I get a lot of miles out of it. I actually prefer the wire bead because to me it is a little easier to change on a tight rim.
I rarely get flats when I am riding on these tire and normally get five thousand miles.
These tires are pretty good at flat protection. The problem I have with them is the rubber starts coming off in chunks when there seems to still be quite a few miles left on them. I run them at the max pressure, maybe that is the problem. I don't know. I still like them compared with other tires I have tried.
I switched from balding 25mm that came with my (used) bike to new 28mm Gatorskins, and although I've lost a little bit of speed, I have a much smoother ride and have much more confidence in the integrity of my tubes. No flats yet!
After 10 years of cycling totaling over 48,000 miles the Gatorskin is the only tire I use. I live in rural Texas on many rough roads. My first year or two I had weekly flats with sometimes 2 in a day. I was running though tires and money.
After I moved to Gatorskins my flats are almost non-existent. I have run over broken bottles cutting the tire yet still make it home. I normally get about 3,500 miles on my tires. I may change out a tube for a nail, sticker or other puncture YET still use the tire.
Best Road Tire Anywhere! Wait I said that already.
I got my tires in quickly after ordering. They were easy to install and the ride is smooth. After a couple a hundred miless they still have the bead in the center so I expect them to last a really long time. I will be back for other equipment from you as I need it.
These tires are great, durable, all weather tires that I use for commuting to work everyday. The wider surface area and thicker tires makes for a very comfortable ride. I've used them for over a month now and am very happy. Overall, I would say great purchase!
I have only put these 100miles on the tires, but they are doing well in the wet muddy winter conditions in Portland, OR. I also have to navigate around numerous homeless camps strewn with glass, needles and debris, putting these tires to the urban test. I'll check back in another couple hundred miles....
I have the tires on 2 different road bikes. Running at 90 psi. I am 190 lbs. Rise is very cool forsake. Changed from 700x23 @ 125 psi to this 700x25 @ 90. No apparent loss of performance but much more comfortable.
I have been riding theses tires for over 6 years and will continue to do so. The fact is they do not flat. When all the people in my group scream GLASS I more or less don't flinch.
Have I ever flatted?....yes. Under inflated and a pothole pinch flat. I consider this my fault and not the tire.
If you like to ride a lot and long this is the tire for you
Obviously different tires for different types of cycling. These are perfect for cycling on surfaces such as hard packed rails to trails or The Erie Canal bike path. And they fit fine on my carbon fiber road bike.
The best tires I have ever purchased. Great wet weather traction & a smooth ride over poor road conditions, Thanks for the best tires on my Bike, Bill
I used to have several flats a month. I am into my second set of these tires and will use them going forward. They do weigh a little more but in a race and you have a flat!!! It is a no-brainer... i do not know when this last time I got a flat! The are the ONLY tires i will ever use!!!
If you want a high mileage tire that's almost impervious to flats, then you should consider this tire!
