I have rotated through a lot of Hardshells and UltraGatorSkins, and get just about the same amount of miles out of each. Not killer for wet conditions and does not corner all that well, but will stand up to glass and debris very well. It can be defeated by radial tire wire and goats heads if they are not spotted and removed. I can usually get between 3-5k miles out of a set. The sidewalls are subject to wear and will look ratty after awhile, but I've not know them to cause any problems. Side punctures have ruined a couple of the tires, but I've gotten home by inserting an emergency plastic patch to the inside of the tire. When you start getting flats its an indication that the tire has had it, also if the cord is showing. Pick these up when they go on sale, your riding buddies will start doing the same...
I'm not a racer so the lack of grip that others have mentioned has not been an issue so far
I was hesitant for a long time to spend the money for these but, after trying a lot of other cheaper tires and getting tired of flats I decided to Go For It and see what happens, well 1800 miles later I will never buy another kind of tire, I haven't had a flat, no problems at all and still lots of life left in these tires. I ride a road bike, about 50 miles a day providing good weather, in Houston, bad roads, all kinds of crap in the streets, I have run over almost everything, glass, nails, rocks, wire, a rake, everything,, no flats, no cuts, still riding like new. This is a excellent tire and I will always buy this one from now on...
I use Continental Gator Hardshell on our tandom and will use nothing else. Tha're a great tire and hold up very well with over 300 pounds riding on them. We are running custom Zipp carbon wheels and the tires mount up with no problems what-so-ever.
If you want a great heavy duty tire and are more concerned with durability, safety than weight, the Hardshell is the tire for you!
Using the tire for daily commuting tofrom work. I purchased the 28mm so it would be a little softer and hopefully tougher with rough roads and potholes. I think that paid off. These are comfy to ride and feel great. They're not light but I got them hoping that they were tough against puncures and mostly glass. So far they are functioning well after 6-8 con mutes.
Best tire I have ever had. I have 2500 miles on the set I'm running now and I probably will get at least another 1000 miles. Plus I ride on a lot of bad roads and I have only had 2 or 3 flats.
My buddy has the same ones, three years going. No flats. Even found a Staple in is rear but didn't pop the tube!
Very good tire for road cycling. I get anywhere from 3500 to 4000 miles on these tires. No flats.
I use hardshell exclusively these days for 1 primary reason, a lot less punctures. Around central MA many of the roads get beaten up with the winter snow and plowing. There's also lots of wood splinters and sharp things on the road. With other tires, I used to get 4-5 punctures each season, which really sucks. It especially sucks on a group ride. Even when I roll over broken glass and the tire gets a nasty cut it's fine. The only time I've had to change hardshell is when the tread wears out. Whereas lighter tires I've had major gashes that destroyed the tire.
I love these tires, they hold up well and resist puncture. I'm glad Continental finally put some thread gauges in a couple locations so you know when it's time to replace, instead of seeing threads!
I think these will be the only tires I will ride on, they're that good.
I went with the 25s vice the 23s. They are heavier but they roll so much smoother over the chip seal roads around hear. I just had my first flat after 2700 miles. All the other tires I've used haven't even lasted that long. Still lots of rubber and hoping to get at least 4000 miles before replacing them.
Gatorskins have become my favorite tire. I have over two thousand miles on them and they really don't show much wear. They're easy to mount, handle all road conditions.
Great grip for a bullet proof tire! Did a ride in the rain the other day with some steep descents and I never locked the back tire once. Even when I tried to!
I bike in rainy weather and through city streets that have lots of glass, construction junk, and lot of gravel. I have only had one flat since i got this tire and that was cause i hit a nail!! The tire is still looking great. The only down side is that it does not roll as smooth and it does feel slower, but that is alright. I prefer to be slower than being faster and having to change a tire in 35 degree temp. and getting soaked!!!. Overall very satisfied!!
On the road or on the trail these tires provide a smooth and trouble free ride for many miles. Don't want to ride anything else. Worth the extra weight for the peace of mind.
I have a 16 mile round trip commute through town. 2700 miles in 2013 with only one flat because I went through a road construction area one too many times. My route includes pot holes, small stones & pieces of asphalt, railroad tracks, and plenty of other misc bike lane debris. Temps varied from 13-95 degrees. [$] per tire for this performance is a steal.
Hard to go wrong with this tire. It's very durable, fast-rolling, and very puncture-proof. My only complaint is that ride quality begins to suffer drastically in wet conditions after you've put about 500-600 miles on them. Then again, ride quality is entirely dependent on rider style, weight, and setup pressures. I opt for the 700x25s and 100psi.
I have ridden Continental Gator Hardshell 23 mm tires for a couple of years with only one flat in over 4,000 miles. I was curious about the claim that these 25 mm tires ride a little softer than the 23 mm tires and finally decided to try them. The ride is noticebly smoother, particularly when going over expansion cracks in bridges and similar types of uneven pavement. I don't notice any difference rolling resistance or weight so the smoother ride made these tires a great purchase.
If you are having problems with recurring flats, then this tire is the one you need. Have had one on my back wheel since September and not one flat...ride about 75-100 milesweek...the ride is a bit harder, but well worth the comfort of knowing you won't get a flat. We have had a nasty winter here on Long Island and the roads are full of asphalt, rock salt, glass, etc., and these tires are standing up to the test.
I commuted 6300 miles last year over rough roads with only three punctures. I normally get 6000 miles out of the front tire and 3000 miles out of the back tire. I have picked up several thorns in the fall, stopped and pulled them out without a puncture. The side wall seems to be the most vulnerable.
