I have bought and used many Gatorskin tires. They feel secure but not a racing tire . However, the major reason for replacing this tire is not due to an accidental puncture ,but due to significant bulging of tire (usually around the valve ) which makes the ride bumpy and risking a blowout (which has happened when i try to delay replacing tire ). Usually by about 5000km.
Bought this as a high-mileage training (everything is training) tubular. Have not put enough mileage on it to know if will last as well as the gatorskin clinchers that I have used in the past. However, did notice immediately that the tire is very well-made and balanced. Cheaper tubulars are often unbalanced and this causes some wobble or bump when descending. Also, this tire can take pressure up to 170 psi which is awesomely high.
If you are an avid cyclist riding on tubulars, these are by far the best tires for everyday training and recreational riding. Comfortable ride, bomb proof, and long lasting. All I can say the are worth the price.
Excellent product. I have use other brands but I always get back to Contis, they are the best tires in my experience. I wish they would last longer and be less expensive but other wise great product.
Finally found a tubular I can trust! Being new to tubulars I went with another brand. Had troubles right off the bat with small punctures but was able to patch with sealant, however that was problematic as it gunked up my valve stems making it hard to put air in the tire eventually. Finally had to walk home about 8 miles and that did it! Replaced with these and several hundred miles later no probs whatsoever! I still carry sealant but haven't had to use it yet. I ride both clinchers and tubulars and will be buying Continentals for both now!
I am hard on tires. I always have been. I am 230lbs and won't ever see the south side of 200 since I am quite tall and have a large bone structure. So, I have lots of flats. I went with tubulars due to romance and an effort to reduce flats. These tires have fit the less flats bill perfectly. Wile I can get around 1500 miles of commuting and fun rides out of the rear, the front is over 3000 miles and it isn't showing signs of being anywhere near done yet.
The continental gaterskins are a great high mileage tire great for touring and even racing and pratice riding with the confidence of not having a flat tire I recomend this tire.
in vermont, the rides go from paved roads to dirt and back again, the valleys and the gaps too, riding the 25's are perfect for this location, between the pot holes, frost hives and the mud season this tire offers more control in all of these surfaces, more rubber on the road helps in the descents also, better handling, you can run this tire softer also it smooths out some of the road making it easier on your back and butt. and the price on these are the best tubular deal for the all around tire.
I am 200lb triathlete using these in 25mm for racing 40K. Very nice looking tire. However, at 22-23mph they get noisy and the front one had a vibration un-attributable to the wheel or road. I was only running them at 135psi. Any higher than that and much worse. Avoid these for race speeds.
After a very long break from road cycling, I recently restored two classic Italian frames from the ground up. Having been out of the game for about 30 years, my mechanic highly encouraged me to go with the Continental Gatorskin. I'm sort of old school in that I used to ride only on tubulars. These days, it seems there are fewer tubular choices. Nevertheless, following extensive research, I went with my mechanic's recommendation. Fast forward about 4 months and following a good amount of riding, I am very happy with these tires. They perform beautifully! Try them, you will like it!
Bought three 25mm front still looking good one staple but seal immediately with the stans that I put in my tires. Rears on 2nd tire after 3000 miles no flats. I run at 80-90 psi very good ride and grip for cornering!
Removable core good grip wearing good & looks good.
Bomb proof tire for the road and tough enough for some gravel roads.
these are the bomb no flats
This a great tubular tire. The ride is smooth, no flats so far and easy to mount.
These tires have a nice feel and were easy to install. I've only been on one damp ride to seat the tires and felt very secure on the road.
The ride and performance are much improved over more economical brands but only have about 200 miles on so longevity is yet to be determined
Excellent shape. Uniform, smooth and round. Superior construction. Sticks well and is fast especially at higher pressure. Can go to 175 psi. Light and Quiet. Not the best for training on American roads which are not well maintained. Punctures fairly easily.
Just rode Coast 2 Coast with gatorskin on my back tire. Had some really bad roads and some good. I had 3000 miles on them and they will need to be replaced now. Could not believe they made it. Great tire. Some times it pays to be lucky and try to stay out of the garbage on the road.
I literally never have flats with these, though I do wear them out especially the back. Best to get a bunch of these when on sale. Get the Tufo tape when on sale also. It's a lot easier install them with the tape, not glue (and tape works well). The easiest is the Tufo tape (removes most easily) but 3M VHB Heavy Duty Mounting Tape (5952 Black, 34 in x 15 yd 45 mil) works great too though harder to remove used 3M tap (I usually get two mounts out of the 3M tape). Be sure to mount them on a rim and bring them up to max pressure overnight to stretch them (don't hand stretch them). Definitely use orange seal and you'll be good to go.
