Opinions of Gatorskins

[philinmerthyr]

I need a new set of tyres. Having read through reviews and looked at what my local shops sell I am considering Gatorskins. I would welcome your views. I'll probably go for the 25c size.

 

[4F]

A tyre that seems to split the opinion of many. Some say that they feel skittish and don't trust them when it is wet, personally I have used them in the past and did not experience this.

 

[Broadside]

If you want a very hard wearing tyre that punctures little then they are a good bet. But I am in 4F's first camp, the front very easily washed out on wet corners ad I could make the rear wheel spin in wet going up hill. In the dry they are great though I have to say.

I was cycling behind a friend earlier this year and he was using Gators, he lost the front at relatively low speed and ended up on the tarmac. I ended up taking them off my bike.

 

[smokeysmoo]

A tyre that seems to split the opinion of many. Some say that they feel skittish and don't trust them when it is wet, personally I have used them in the past and did not experience this.

This is exactly what I was going to say as well. FWIW I have them on both my bikes and have never had any handling issues what so ever.

 

[AndyPeace]

I'm running a set of Gatorskins and the puncture protection is great. Ridden though alsorts of tough roads. In the first couple of days riding on them I ended up having to pass a tractor flailing hedges, with a strong wind blowing all the cuttings on to the road...and it was covered, like a lorry full of drawing pins had upturned. No puctures, but I did pick up this ...

I also found a set of pinhole marks on the center tread, where it looks like thawns have been crushed.There on about 1,000 miles at the moment, I've ridden some rough country lanes and briddleways too and had no problem with them.

 

[cyberknight]

Another gator user and i cant say i have ever had a problem with them .

 

[musa]

They have been very good for me only ridden on them

 

[Andrew_P]

I know this is going to put the mocker on them but I bought some GatorHardshell non folding and I am about to pass 2k without any of them things that let air rapidily release..

Felt a bit skitish at first not sure if that was my mind or needed some runing in. Deffo will be my winter tyre of choice no cuttinin up either.

Dreading tomorrows ride now going to rip them to shreds and lose a lot of air now I have said the above lol

 

[middleagecyclist]

Gators (23) on the road bike and Gators (25) on the audax machine. 2K combined miles and no punctures yet. I find the handling fine in the wet and excellent in the dry.

 

[HLaB]

A tyre that seems to split the opinion of many. Some say that they feel skittish and don't trust them when it is wet, personally I have used them in the past and did not experience this.

Yip, I borrowed a front one, did 1500 miles on it and found it one of the grippiest tyres Ive had contrary to some reviews

 

[Nearly there]

Had mine on since October and 2000k+ miles later no issues at all,a bugger to fit though.

 

[Veloscot]

I have tried all sorts of tyres over the years. Gators have never let me down!

 

[Sterba]

If the comments about Gatorskins being skittish are putting you off, consider the very similar Continental Four Seasons tyres instead. I love them, they inspire great confidence even in the wet, maybe they are a bit stickier

 

[gbb]

Gatorskin user for many years, and although they're not bombproof re punctures (ive had times where I havnt punctured all year, then punctured twice in consecutive months...that's just the way the dice rolls), no problems in the wet at all ONCE THE TYRE HAS SCRUBBED IN. It takes maybe 50-100 miles to scrub in, and they can be very skittish in the wet for that period, but then they've never let me down, commuting, B road rididng, occasional tracks etc etc.
I think the general concensus is Marathons give better protection, but they're heavier, Gators are really quite light and fast.
As stated, they can be swines to get on some rims, although part of the answer is knack and experience.
I rode one gator that got sliced by glass when new , didn't puncture but had a deep 6mm long gash, inserted some re-inforcing between the tyre and tube, rode that way for a good 2000 miles.

 

[Rob3rt]

I am in the they offer inferior grip camp, I just don't trust them, even after scrubbing in, the compound is just not very grippy, they feel hard compared to GP4000s and I have no confidence cornering at speed in the wet with them. They do roll reasonably quick though, but they don't feel very nice to ride on, they are not very supple, to be fair to them, this can be expected on a tyre of this type.

Personally, I don't see the need for such "puncture resistant" tyres for most road riders. Any decent tyre, pumped up properly won't puncture often.