I wrote that I was disappointed with these tire when I had a flat on my first ride. Since then I have installed Mr. Tuffy tire liners, and now I am happy with these tire. They handle well and feel secure, except riding through puddles at an angle, and they sip out I approach water straight on and they are ok. Overall these are food tires, and I fell confident riding them as they are configured
Since I see that this tire is rated as 5 stars by 90% of users, what more is there to say? One thing I didn't notice in the reviews but experienced is they are very easy to mount on my rims. I have been used to having to use soap and tire levers for the last bit when installing my Vittoria tires. These folding Gatorskins go on with no effort. I've only used them for a month, so can't vouch for the miles or flat resistance yet, but so far I'm impressed. I'm ordering more right now.
Since I see that this tire is rated as 5 stars by 90% of users, what more is there to say? One thing I didn't notice in the reviews but experienced is they are very easy to mount on my rims. I have been used to having to use soap and tire levers for the last bit when installing my Vittoria tires. These folding Gatorskins go on with no effort. I've only used them for a month, so can't vouch for the miles or flat resistance yet, but so far I'm impressed. I'm ordering more right now.
I use these on my road bike. I have been very lucky using them. I think they hold up to what they are about, few if any flats.
You can trust these - good for 6,000 miles of road riding, equivalent to Michelin Pro-4's. Perhaps not as tough as Armadillo's, but I'm getting 80% of the ride for 50% of the price.
I use the tires on my 2019 Trek Domane SLR. Used them on both my previous Madone and Domanes. Not much I dont like about them. Wear well but still pretty grippy. I have very few flats and have pulled out goat head stickers without going flat. I gone over small fragments of glass without significant cuts. I use them for training purposes on asphalt and concrete road surfaces. I typically put at least 1000 -1500 miles on the rear tire before looking at changing it out.
I ride a Trek about 1,500 miles a year. I asked some of my riding friends about which tyre they recommended. For the most part they all said get the Continental GaterSkins 700c Road. I did so and haven't looked at the Bontrager tyre's since. Great tyre I will purchase again..
Continental Gatorskins have been my go-to winter tire for years now. I still consider these the gold standard in flat protection. I'm always glad to be running these on miserable, cold winter training rides where stopping for flat repairs would be a miserable, hypothermic experience.
Pro
Flat protection while riding unswept winter roadsshoulders in foul weather. The FEW punctures I've had with these were always wire pieces, not glass or sharp gravel.
Cons
Wet pavement grip lacking. Not terrible, but I'll spin the rear occasionally on a steep, wet hill if riding out of the saddle. I've had the rear slip out a bit going through roundabouts, although nothing that caused a spill. If I'm on a group ride I'll occasionally run a Conti 4-Season on the front for slightly better grip. Solo, I run Gatorskins FR.
Can be tough to mount, but that depends on the wheelset.
Slightly heavy, but that's the nature of this type of tire. Worth the trade off.
Overall, my favorite off-season training tire.
Michigan's road and trail surfaces are often in rough condition (ruts, ridges, & potholes) and strewn with debris damaging to bike tires. Since switching to Gatorskins two years ago, I have had no flats. They live up to their name!
Added these tires to my wife�s ride.
Excellent for more short gravel sections and a cushy ride with lower tire pressure.
Excellent pricing!
I never get flats with these tires. They're so reliable, I run them all year no matter what the road conditions are.
Use the 700c x 28mm for fitness riding on all sorts of paved surfaces. Easy to mount with the wire bead and pump to 100 psi. The casing and tread have held up better than some of the other Conti Ultra tires. Probably have 500 miles and am very happy. I am 6'3" 285lbs.
I have been using Gatorskin's for the passed 5 years or so and ride on average 4 days a week, 5-7,000 miles annually. These are my Go To tires and the only ones I use since the first time I put them on my bike. Now all 4 of my bikes have them. I have had only one flat and that was a nail that would have flatted any tire. They weigh a little more, but I'm not a racer (but do group rides at good pace) , I hate flats and love mileage and dependability of these tires to keep me rolling. Would I recommend them? Hll yes!
I have been using Gatorskin's for the passed 5 years or so and ride on average 4 days a week, 5-7,000 miles annually. These are my Go To tires and the only ones I use since the first time I put them on my bike. Now all 4 of my bikes have them. I have had only one flat and that was a nail that would have flatted any tire. They weigh a little more, but I'm not a racer (but do group rides at good pace) , I hate flats and love mileage and dependability of these tires to keep me rolling. Would I recommend them? Hll yes!
I have used these tires in the past but got away from them. These have always been dependable but a bit on the heavy side. I have a newer bike that I originally fitted with 32mm tires which were a bit bounce on downhills. I moved to a 28 mm and I seem to be getting less bounce with out sacrificing comfort.
I�ve used them for years and they standup well and perform great
I have gone to 70X32 and dropped my pressure 10 PSI. The ride is a little softer and I don't notice any difference in rolling resistance. I try to check my tires every few weeks for cuts and dig out anything hidden in the cuts. I've been running gatorskins for about five years and have fewer flats than my friends with tubeless tires.
I had these same tires on my urban bike for 3 years, with zero flats and little wear showing (from the pattern engraved into the surface).
If the bike hadn't been stolen, I probably could've ridden on those tires another 5-7 years (guessing).
I'm sure these new ones will wear as well. I bike 15-20 miles a week, in a fairly urban area with some thorns and debris on the roads.
The surface of the tires looks fairly smooth, but they felt normal when gripping the road.
Have used these tires on two bikes over the last 6 years. Rarely have flats. Mileage seems good. I think the folding tire may be a little easier to mount than non-folding
I commute to work year round in Wisconsin. My round trip is 26 miles. Mostly on paved bike paths. Getting a flat, especially in winter, is a real hastle on the way to work. I have used these tires for about 7 years. I haven't found a tire that combines the flat protection and rolling for anywhere near the price of the Gatorskins. They are a little heavy but you have to expect that with a tire that rarely goes flat.