Opinions of Gatorskins

[Rob3rt]

I find Luganos skid far easier than gators on my fixed.

I find Lugano grip better in the wet than Gatorskins

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I find Lugano grip better in the wet than Gatorskins

whereas I find luganos puncture in the dark and wet far more often than gator hardshells!

 

[Hip Priest]

I just got a pair of Gatorskins 23s yesterday. I've only ridden them in the dry, and they were fine. I'll be a little bit circumspect using them in the wet after some of the comments here, but I suspect it's only a problem for very quick riders who push the envelope a bit more in corners.

 

[AndyPeace]

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.

I've run 4 season tires and they are light and with good grip in wintry temperatures, but they roll slower than my Gatorskins. I see 4 season tires as best for hard, cold weather, where the compound is suited to the temperature. I see Gatorskins as a different category of tire. One is a live long touring/training tire and the other a harsh weather racing tire. Each has it's compromises as well as strengths.

 

[Hip Priest]

I might be able to provide a good glass-resistance test for the Gatorskins on tomorrow's commute, given that Newcastle city centre is apparently getting smashed to bits as we speak.

 

[Mr Celine]

I put gatorskins on my winter/commuting bike after the tread fell off the armadillos it came with. The gatorskins have already lasted over twice as long and are far more comfortable to ride on. They aren't quite as p* proof as the armadillos were, but punctures are generally repairable whereas two inch chunks of tread detaching is not.
I've not noticed any grip issues, but with the bike being used for winter and commuting it would be hard to ascribe any skidding to the tyres rather than the road surface.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

horses for courses

 

[earth]

I used a 4 season as a rear tyre for about a day. The 4 season is similar to a GatorSkin but it uses a kevlar bead instead of the wire bead of a GatorSkin. Certainly they both have a duraskin sidewall and I suspect this is where the trouble starts with 4 season/GatorSkins. The sidewall is very firm. When riding on a chip and seal road in the dry it felt like the rear wheel was squirming about. I even stopped to check the tyre was seated properly. I replaced it the next day with a Bontrager Hardcase. I have ridden those until the rubber has come of the carcass and then carried on with no punctures and predictable grip.

 

[AndyPeace]

I used a 4 season as a rear tyre for about a day. The 4 season is similar to a GatorSkin but it uses a kevlar bead instead of the wire bead of a GatorSkin. Certainly they both have a duraskin sidewall and I suspect this is where the trouble starts with 4 season/GatorSkins. The sidewall is very firm. When riding on a chip and seal road in the dry it felt like the rear wheel was squirming about. I even stopped to check the tyre was seated properly. I replaced it the next day with a Bontrager Hardcase. I have ridden those until the rubber has come of the carcass and then carried on with no punctures and predictable grip.

The difference is not in the bead, gatorskins come with a choice of either a wire or kevlar bead. The 4 season tire uses a compound that is designed to be suple in low tempratures, it has a Vectran puncture protection layer. The Gatorskins come in two designs for clincher tires. both have a poly x breaker which is wider and thicker . The Gator skins now come in a hardshell format, with an extra layer of protection on the sidewalls. I use the duraskin version and really like them, but have heard the hardshell version has problems with how it feels.

 

[User6179]

horses for courses

I see the Ultra RACE are not for raceing and the ultra SPORT is not for sportives

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I see the Ultra RACE are not for raceing and the ultra SPORT is not for sportives

None of the Grand Prix tyres are for Grands Prix either. And the Supersonic range aren't quite.

 

[youngoldbloke]

None of the Grand Prix tyres are for Grands Prix either. And the Supersonic range aren't quite.

- and are the Gatorskins made of ........ ?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

- and are the Gatorskins made of ........ ?

marketing BS is a funny old thing isn't it?

 

[earth]

The difference is not in the bead, gatorskins come with a choice of either a wire or kevlar bead. The 4 season tire uses a compound that is designed to be suple in low tempratures, it has a Vectran puncture protection layer. The Gatorskins come in two designs for clincher tires. both have a poly x breaker which is wider and thicker . The Gator skins now come in a hardshell format, with an extra layer of protection on the sidewalls. I use the duraskin version and really like them, but have heard the hardshell version has problems with how it feels.

Either way, they're crap.

 

[AndyPeace]

Either way, they're crap.

Problems tend to be with the user, things like running the correct psi for weight and conditions; and expectations.. i.e. a training tire with puncture protection is not going to have the same ride characteristics as a premium race tire. No doubt there is also some personal preference in tire choices. I was simply explaining that you'd mislabelled Gatorskins as only coming with a wire bead. They also come in a variety of formats, only one of which you have tried...and that only for a few miles.