I went to Gatorskin tires a couple of years ago, because I I'm in an area with lots of burrs and other pointy plants. In all of last year, I had just one flat (2000 miles). The peace of mind is worth the price for these tires. The only ding against them is that they're difficult to put on by hand, initially. Other than that, they suit my riding well.
Continental Gaterskins are a very durable tire, I have bought others and nothing has compared, believe or not I get 3 to 4 thousand miles out of rear tire and and 13 to 15 thousand out of front tire and they are not bald when I change them!!
I had 6 flats this summer season before getting the gator skins, rough roads and bad luck I guess. After I got the gator skins I was road without problem until one day on a 14 mile ride. About half way through I heard a ching, ching, ching on my front tire. I stopped and here was a piece of wire maybe 9 inches long stuck in my front tire (not from inside the tire). I pulled it out and kept riding. It turned out to be a slow leak. I got home with some pumping up and changed the tube the next day. Before the gatorskins the flat would have been immediate. These are great tires, but not made of steel, they can puncture, but they are tough. I recommend them.
Look forward to the sale of Gatorskins since its my go to tire. Good looking dependable tire.
Not the lightest but these tires are really durable. They're easy to get off and on the rims - extra important when it's wet and cold. I've had good luck with not getting flats (knock on wood).
I put these tires on a 1986 Nishiki Olympic that I restored. The rear lasted 6, 411 miles. This is the longest lasting tire I have ever used, and I have been cycling continuously since 1991. The outer rubber surface of the tire looked pretty beat up with many shallow cracks and a few very small holes that did not penetrate the fabric underneath.
I weigh 145 lbs (plus 5 to 10 lbs for my backpack) and bike mostly on rural roads covered with chip seal in the high desert. Most roads have lots of cracks, and a few have surfaces like a washboard. I bicycle 20 miles, sometimes more, every other day. About 1% of my riding is also on gravel. Furthermore the front tire is still on the bike and looks very good (no cracks or holes). It handles well with over 9,000 miles on it. Wow!
I also haven't had any flats yet with these tires. My secret? I put a tire liner and a thorn resistant tube in each 700 x 25 tire and pump it up to about 90 lbs. Sometimes thorns make it through tire liner, but they never completely penetrate the tube. I always use short presta valves, and so far I haven't had any ruptures in the tube around the air valve (this is a danger when using thorn resistant tubes with presta valves).
Yes, it is more difficult and time consuming to stuff all this inside a tire, and it makes for more cycling weight, but I am in my seventies and had a back injury many years ago, so I don't like fixing flats on the side of the road. Instead I go slower and enjoy myself.
Please be informed that this set up can't guarantee no flats. Maybe I've just been lucky.
I ride in the desert and used to get lots of flats these tires eliminated that!
I ride about 300 miles a week on the Chief LadigaSilver Comet trails, and these tires have never let me down. Our Alabama side of the trail is terrible with rises caused by tree roots and cause awful bumps, which the Gatorskins seem to eat up without a flat. I wish I could say that for the old body. I've tried Armadillo tires and the ware is way too fast for the price. I recommend Gatorskins to all I meet on the trail, and my friends.
I am a distance cyclist logging 300 to 400 miles per week. This tire give a comfortable ride and ease of mind knowing it is highly flat resistant.
Like to use Gatorskins for late Fall, Winter, and early Sprint training due to their incredible puncture resistance. I find them a little too heavy for my faster riding during the Summer. But definitely a great tire.
Overall, a good tire
Good traction and overall performance but the front tire could not withstand the intense conditions of NYC roads with a punctured hole. The gash was taped up and two more of the same tire were purchased with the intention of replacing the tire(s) once they stopped being useful. However, both original tires oare still being used.
Great price, Great service, Great tires
I used to get flat tires all of the time. Goat heads were my enemy. Once I started using Gatorskins
that all stopped. The tires last a good long time and are really tough. If I get any flats now it is usually because
my tube is so old. I have to remember to change tubes more often.
Great grip and great ride for sure. I use them for mostly touring on my road bike.
I hate flats - they ruin my day. I've been buying Gatorskins for years - they are a bit heavy and sometimes a pain to get on the rim but I've never had a flat while using them. I use mostly the wire bead model in a 28mm size and usually get 2000 miles out of a set. I also have used the Specialized Armadillo and the Schwalbe Marathon - both with very similar characteristics as the Gatorskins - but usually a little more pricey.
These tires are great for commuting. I never get flats. They grip well to the road and are light weight.
I use this tire solely on paved roads. What I really appreciate about this tire is it's resistance to road hazards. It is tough as nails and gives me peace of mind so I can just enjoy the ride and not worry about anything that might go wrong. Highly recommended.
I ride a Trek 2120 for touring. Most recent trip was Indianapolis to Cleveland, OH, 5 days, 350 miles, carrying gear and credit card camping. I've used these tires for years and have always been satisfied with the ride. I recommend these tires for both day to day riding as well as longer rides.
Great balance between durability and performance. Hardly ever get flats now!
I am a distance cyclist and this tire is smooth riding and getting a puncture is rare. Very comfortable ride with this tire.
