This tire gets no flats! The ride quality is okay, though it can sometimes not grip well laterally (slides out a bit)
I gave these 5 stars not because I love them, because I don't, but because they are bomb-proof and you will grow old wearing them out. I have them on for two years now and do 30 mile runs 5 times a week around the outer Central Park loop in Manhattan and they still show very little wear. No cuts anywhere. The loop is well paved and with no debris so these are totally overkill. Yes overkill.
So, would I rather be riding on something more fun, well yes, but I am simply amazed with the durability of these tires. Might try the Pirelli's, will report back.
I've been using this tire on my endurance 7 day bike rides for the past 5 years. Not one flat ever.
Road bikes in south Texas lots of stickers and thorns in the area. Tires have seemed to work very well in this heat and thorns.
I began using the Gator Hardshell after I flatted 3 times on one ride...I had to call for a ride home (embarrassing). Since I moved to the Hardshell, I have not had a flat on a ride. Last year I rode close to 800 hours...13K...no flats. I am not sure if they are a fast tire, but I am sure that the ride will move continually forward on the Gator Hardshell
I used hardshell tires for the last five years. No complaints , very few flats, always got a season plus. Before replacing.
Have yet to get a flat with these. Granted not riding thru NYC or anything, but... One time, found a huge staple in the tread, pulled it out but it had not punctured the protective layers. My every day, go to tires when don't want to worry about stopping to change a flat! Very satisfied.
I ride city streets, bike paths and the occasional paved rail trail. All the gatorskin products have been superior for me, virtually no puncture flats in several years. The hardshell continues that success and I have no reason to switch.
Great tires. Long wearing, puncture resistant , okay handling and an overall good value.
These are the most durable and puncture resistant road tires I've used thus far. Stout sidewalls that are not easily cut and excellent construction limit punctures tremendously.
Gatorskin Hardshell tires are awesome. I have not had a flat using them!
Kinda pricey but, tough as nails, even when you run over one. If you're still using tires with tubes, like me, can't say enough good about these, and I can't say anything bad about them either.
I've been riding these tires for years now and get my value and confident performance from a set of these tires. I ride my race bike like a cross bike sometimes just because of these tires, I think it gives me extra assurance against punctures when thrashing thru places you would normally keep a Ridley Noah SL away from. My choice for my style of riding places these tires under me.
I used a different manufacturers tires last year and suffered over 20 flats. I'm not going to throw the brand under the bus but switched to these Conti gator hardshells at the beginning of the year and after almost 1000 miles have had zero flats. Also, the ride quality seems to be very good as well as traction. Because of this all 3 of my road bikes now use these tires and I couldn't be happier.
So far so good only been able to put a couple hundred miles on them, but they have a good ride,not to bad to put on rim. I went from a wire bead schwalbe to a folding bead Gator hoping the Gators are as puncture resistant as the schwalbes were. Time will tell
I live in the land of puncture, sometimes referred to as the Big Island of Hawaii. Road go mostly up or down with plenty of glass and wire wherever there is traffic. Ride a Roubaix or a Sequoia and try to do an 1-2 hours, three times a week. Have to go up or down, so safety is a concern. This German import went on easy, absorbs the bumps (700x28) and so far has kept me on the road. It's a little plain, but it is German tough.
My bike came with a less bulletproof Continental tire. After the third tube puncture in five days of riding I knew I needed a tougher tire. The Gator Hardshell is it. I switched a month ago and have approximately 250 miles on the tires with no flats. Ive gone over glass pieces and many pebbles that would have probably flattened the old tires. I notice no ride quality difference.
I ride 15 hours per week, on average. These tires lasted 1 year with no stopping to fix a flat!
This was my second purchase of these tires after looking for a tire that was flat resistant, long lived, and rolled fast. It's been a great all around tire!
Wanted some peace of mind from road hazards while training on our not so perfect highways. Tires roll great and ride well. Very satisfied with purchase.
