These are for a cycling tour to the land of goat head thorns (around Tuscon, Arizona USA) where their greatest puncture resistance is worth the tiny penalties due to their few additional grams of material above my Grand Prix 5000s. Very tiny penalties: 1) They are a bit less comfortable under my hands and seat than the 5000s, but my Pinarello Dogma F10 on 25mm Grand Prix 5000 tires is already like that. 2) I start off just a wee bit more slowly, but then they roll as effortlessly as the 5000s. Penalties so small I now hardly notice them after a month with the. Greater puncture protection for this tour with almost no penalty ... worth it!
Have used these tires for several years, and have a flat maybe once in 5000 miles. I do like the 32mm width best, so I can drop the pressure a bit and get a nice smooth ride. Didn't have any problems getting them onto the rims.
I always use Gatorskin or Hardshells on my road bike and love the flat protection. As well as the tread wear indicators!
When I first installed the tires on my Mavic rims, at about 60psi one popped out of the rim bead and the inner tube blew. I reseated the tire and haven't had a problem since. I really like these tires, because they fit the tight clearance my frame requires for the tread height.
I have about 500 miles on the tires now with no flats and they provide wonderful control.
I�ve ridden these Continental tires since about 2016 on a pair of road bikes (one with 23/25mm width, one with 32mm width) without a single flat, riding 2000-3000 miles a year split between them. The last set replaced still had good tread after 3750 miles, but I replaced anyhow for peace of mind just prior to a 500-600 mile road and crushed limestone /gravel bike packing trip around north central Wisconsin. I still pack a full spare tire and three spare tubes on my 7-9 day trips, but have never needed one. Long bike trips are always more enjoyable without flats!
Long time fan of Continental's Gator Hardshell tires on my Trek Domane road bike. Roads around here are crappy, hot, hilly, with lots of goat-head thorns, truck tire wires, and occasional glass. It has been years since I've had to deal with a flat. Tires are easy to mount, have a nice road feel, and last forever.
I live in Tucson and ride nearlt everyday. There are myriad road obstacles, debris and sharp pointy things to puncture my ride, and thats why Ive gone back to gatorskin hardshell. I rode other continental products here and while they are as road gripping on downhills and across sand and gravel, they punctured far more than the gatorskins. Ive been riding the hardshell 25's now for a year or so and see the difference in tracking and softness on the road. Weight issues dont effect me as Im not racing and the small difference doesnt seem to effect climbing mt. Lemmon or flying down the mountain on the way hime. Not too clear on the difference between hardshell and standard gatorskin but seems like the hardshell has more sidewall protection which seems to help stop rock punctures when riding on gravel ( which I do everyday to get from my house to the main road). In any case, I recommend these tires to all my friends and so far, Ive heard nothing but positive comments..
I replace my tires about once a year and have found out that the Continental Gator Hardshell works out very well for me. I got a quick delivery and the tire is very easy to put on and my bike. Thank you for your service.
Steve
The Continental Gatorskin Hardshell tire happens to be the most versatile tire ever. I use them on my road bike, commuter bike and fixed gear bike.
The tire compound rides aliitle harder than most but durability and cornering cancel the harder ride. I ride at 225 lbs and have lowered tire pressure FR to 95 psi and tires perform flawlessly! They hug the road even in wet conditions. Highly recommend for all road riding bikes.
I have used the tire for several years for both training and racing, averaging about 3500 miles per year. I don't remember the last time I had a pinch flat and have found it to be extremely puncture resistant - fulfilling the promise of increased flat protection. The tires have excellent sidewall strength and reliability, never having any issues with cracks or ruptures due to potholes, cattle guards or hitting any other obstructions. The wear indicators (two small holes on the tire tread) are reliable in indicators in determining when to change out the tire. I normally change the tires after 2000 miles regardless to be safe. Only downsides are the price and weight. I try to buy when the tires are on sale to save a few bucks since they are pretty expensive. The added weight due to the flat protection is a concern, but not overly so. I am somewhat of a weight weenie, so the concern is a psychological one, I'm sure.
I bought these Gator hard shells for a charity ride in April-May. We rode from Key West, FL. to Jacksonville, FL, over 500 miles and I had zero flats!
Everyone else on my ride had to deal with flats but they didn't have Gators...soo, get you some!!!
Its been four years since my last flat. 6000 miles with no problems.
The Continental Gator Hardshell has been my go to tire during the rainy season for several years. Rarely had a flat with them.
I enjoy long unsupported rides. With the Continental Gator Hardshell tires, I don't have to worry about flats.
Despite their puncture resistant build, these tires are reasonably light and don't hold you back on century days.
I use Hardshells on all of my wife's and my bikes, and our tandem, and have done so for years.
Good mileage and very good flat protection.
I've used Continental tires on my road bike for years. More recently, I've been using the Gator Hardshell folding tire, and I find that I get about 10,000 miles use from a pair of these tires. I rotate them once a year, & I ride them on a variety of terrain mountain roads, city & bike trails. I like the two 'dots' that allow me to gauge the remaining tread on the tire. I count on these tires on several tours a year, whether domestically in the U.S. or in Europe.
The ride of these tires is really good. I have about 500 miles on them now with no flats. Wahoo!
I'm not the best mechanic, I can change a flat - but don't like to. I ride 10K a year. I chose Gator Hardshell after wading through flats from other tire companies. I have worn out 3 sets of 'Hardshells without a single flat. Currently, I ride without a repair kit or tubes, that's how confident I am in these tires. The ratings say they aren't the fastest - but they are certainly the most reliable.
I teamed this tire up with puncture resistant tube and have only had 3 flats in about 3 1/2 years. I get about 3500 miles out of each set of the Hardshell tires
I tried other brands for training that promised to be thorn and flat resistive, but I keep coming back to the Continentals. The Gator Hardshell isn't going to win any awards for being lightweight, but that's what racing tires are for. These basically repel all goatheads, which is saying a lot in New Mexico (Goat-head capital of the US). Buy and train with confidence!
