I started using these tires based on friends recommendations. I typically get 2,000 to 30000 miles on a set. They are a great tire for the supportive rides I do. Only on flat since I have been using these tires and the tire was close to needing to be replaced because of wear when I did get the flat. I always buy a new pair when they are on sale and keep a stair set ready to go.
I just rode Tour de Blast, people were flatting left and right. I spoke with folks who suffered two and three flats on the ride. I couldn't find even a nick in my gatorskin.
I got these tires because I use my bike a daily commuter, and my old tires kept getting flats from glass shards.
The tires feel great, almost like an extra gear on my bike compared to the stock Specialized tires the bike came with. They haven't gotten flat yet, seem like a perfect marriage between performance and durability.
If you're looking for a durable daily commuting tire for a good price that makes your commuter bike feel a little zippier, look no further.
Price for mile of riding without flatting is wonderful. I try other tires every once and a while but always come back to this one. I ride 3 to 5 double centuries per year and flatting would make those days horrible. This tire is the best you could get for all around riding and durability.
Almost flat proof. Best tires Ive owned.
I have owned several sets of these, can't recall ever having a flat unless the tube stem failed. They have excellent grip and weight is good. I have gotten as many as 6000 mi. on them, just changed as a precaution!
I have used these tires for the last couple of years with good results. Until now. My last set had about 2k miles on them and were starting to show wear so I changed them. Got a flat the next week, I don't know what I hit but it put a gash at the top of the sidewall. So I changed that tire after a week. Two weeks after I changed tires, I got another puncture, this one right through the center of the tire. I am no longer using this tire.
These have been my primary training tire for several years now and I love them. Theses are the best all around training tire i have found in consideration of durability, weight, and performance.
I use the tires on a tandem and a road bike. Tires are very durable and do not require tire irons to put back over the rim. This helps prevent punctures when replacing the tube.
While no tire is immune to punctures, the Gatorskin is about as good as it gets. From past experience, I know this tire will give many miles of training ride hours with few flats from sharps and pinches. The 25 mm width offers a comfortable ride with no sacrifice on speed (compared to more narrow width tires). The Gatorskin does well in wet conditions for both cornering and climbing. The tire may be a bit heavy for racing, but this is not a huge concern for me.
These have densest rubber I've used so far, which includes Michelin, Vredestein, etc. The caveat they have stiff sidewalls, consequently little flex for long rides over rough farm roads here in rural Colorado. Any tire's nemesis here must include the abundant goatheads and foxtails, and these tires along with Stan's sealant have made for 10 months without a flat. I've used 7X23 Gatorskins too harsh a ride here. 7X25's run them at 90psi. Great mileage to be expected.
A favorite tire the Vredestein Grand Fondo has forgiving sidewall, corners great, rolls fast, but is more easily punctured by the above mentioned. I ran these with 2 oz Stan's in each tire, made it through winter (off season for goatheads etc) without a flat! Now back to Conti's for growing season. Highly recommended.
FYI, I ride around 7000yr, all year, been riding since the 70s, raced for 8 yrs.
You give up some speed for reliability. I ride in the Southwest and besides the regular glass and debris we have all kinds of thorns. Gator skins make riding more trouble free and fun
I use them for roadfitness riding. Smooth riding. A couple hundred miles with no flats. In the past, I always used Maxxis Detonator tires but thought I'd try these due to the great reviews. Happy with both brands. Went from 23's to 25's. The jury is still out but if it continues the way it is I'll probably stick with the gatorskins.
Continental tires are always excellent but I found the Gators a bit hard to fit on the wheels. That being said, they last a long time and I don't have many flats with them despite riding on pretty bad roads.
I use to flat on a regular basis where I ride havent had a flat in three yrs with gator skins.
Gatorskins last about 2000 to 2500 miles on my bike. In that distance I seldom get flats. The one negative I have is the rubber begins to de-laminate from the belting near end of life.
eat your spinach before installing
These tires are great in all weather conditions, but most importantly, they're very flat resistant. So they are pretty impervious to all the junk you encounter on the side of the road when you're commuting. Probably not the best tire for race-style road riding, but an excellent commuter tire.
Was a bike messenger for ten years....Gatorskins hold up and never get flats!
Good everyday tire, lucky to have never had a flat with these!
