addictfreak
Guru
- Location
- Boldon, Tyne and Wear
I run gators on my winter bike, great puncture protection, very good wear and not experienced any handling issues.
Opinions of Gatorskins
- Thread starter philinmerthyr
- Start date
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GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
Gatorskin Hardshells on both my road going bikes. 28's on the fixed and 25's on the fast tourer - thought it may be the other way around by the end of the day. I simply won't use another sort of tyre. Maybe I don't push hard enough but wet or dry I've never had a problem and only two visits (one a pinch flat on a sustrans off road section) in a very long time.
OP
OP
philinmerthyr
Über Member
Thanks for the comments. I bought a set this morning. If I manage to get out today it will test them in the wet. Blowing a gale and heavy rain in the Welsh valleys
U
User6179
Guest
Gatorskins are average on all counts!
Grip is fine in the dry but like all harder rubber tyres they can slide on certain surfaces when cornering in the wet.
They roll like an armadillo , ok but not great.
Punture protection is good on the tread but non existent on the side walls
If I was looking for punture protection I would go for a Spesh armadillo or schwalbe durano plus and if I wanted speed and grip with some punture protection I would go for conti gp4000s.
Grip is fine in the dry but like all harder rubber tyres they can slide on certain surfaces when cornering in the wet.
They roll like an armadillo , ok but not great.
Punture protection is good on the tread but non existent on the side walls
If I was looking for punture protection I would go for a Spesh armadillo or schwalbe durano plus and if I wanted speed and grip with some punture protection I would go for conti gp4000s.
Howard
Senior Member
I've crashed by washing out the front end on Gators clinchers. They are truly awful in the wet or even damp patches, and TBH don't seem to offer that much puncture resistance compared to other non resistant training rubber.
Rubino Pro is a cheaper, better tyre on all counts.
The Gatorskin Sprinter Tubs on the other hand are great. Go figure.
Rubino Pro is a cheaper, better tyre on all counts.
The Gatorskin Sprinter Tubs on the other hand are great. Go figure.
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
I binned my gatorskins after a couple of weeks, didn't like them at all.
Maybe I expected too much after riding M+ before them?
Maybe I expected too much after riding M+ before them?
Manonabike
Über Member
I have them on my SS - done about 1000 miles 99% on dry conditions and no punctures so far. I'm happy enough to get some new ones again.
I have ridden the on wet roads but I can't say I've noticed any difference..... maybe I don't ride hard enough
I have ridden the on wet roads but I can't say I've noticed any difference..... maybe I don't ride hard enough
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Did/do you run the same high pressures or did you reduce the pressure a bit since pinch flats wouldn't be an issue maybe?
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Oh I agree fully, Gatorskins suck and GP4000s are excellent (I use GP4000s on my clinchers and have a set of Podium TT tubs ready to fit on my race wheels). Not used 4 seasons. I was just curious why the tubs vs the clinchers were so different. Possibly the profile of the tubs being more round rather than bulb shaped increases the size of the contact patch?
Pedrosanchezo
Veteran
- Location
- Perthshire, scotland
Used Gatorskins through winter on some terrible roads and got my first puncture yesterday on a century ride. It was a pinch after cycling over some gravel on a B road. They have been bomb proof and ridden in all conditions including plenty of wet rides. Can't fault them durability wise as they have done 1500 miles since fitted and punctured once riding gravel.
Performance wise they do not roll as fast as top end tyres like Vittoria open corsa cx's or Michelin pro 2's. They are meant for training or rougher roads though not pure performance.
I would recommend them but for a few extra ££ you can get the 4seasons which are slightly better.
Performance wise they do not roll as fast as top end tyres like Vittoria open corsa cx's or Michelin pro 2's. They are meant for training or rougher roads though not pure performance.
I would recommend them but for a few extra ££ you can get the 4seasons which are slightly better.
Maybe the handling issues are only apparent to those that push the limits a little more?
I've got Gatorskins on my fixed and can't say I've had problems, but then I'm a pootler... albeit one that will ride in all conditions.
I have GP4000s, 4 Seasons and City Contacts on other bikes (I like Contis!). My only issue is the cost, prices seemed to have hiked in the last 4 or 5 years.
I've got Gatorskins on my fixed and can't say I've had problems, but then I'm a pootler... albeit one that will ride in all conditions.
I have GP4000s, 4 Seasons and City Contacts on other bikes (I like Contis!). My only issue is the cost, prices seemed to have hiked in the last 4 or 5 years.
Howard
Senior Member
I suspect it's a combination of that and quality control at Conti's end.
Fixeh Skidderz love Gators...because they skid
GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
I find Luganos skid far easier than gators on my fixed.I suspect it's a combination of that and quality control at Conti's end.
Fixeh Skidderz love Gators...because they skid
