Ultra gatorskin v marathon+

[potsy]

Hi, have the Marathon+ on my Trek 7.1fx at the moment got these fitted instead of the cheap Kenda's which came as standard,what I'm wondering is how much faster would I be on some lighter tyres,been looking at the Conti gatorskins thing is Iv'e done nearly 1000 miles now on the marathon+ and had zero pun*tu*es and am totally confident with them.As this is my 1st bike since being a kid have no idea how slow the marathons are compared to other tyres.btw my current average speed is only about 12-13mph.

 

[spandex]

Gators for me thanks

 

[Joe24]

Put Gators on and you will easily average 18/19mph.



But seriously, i have Gators on, and i like them. Well, i had them on my geared bike, but on my fixed which is what i ride all the time, i have a gator skin on the front and a Schwelelebele on the rear, 'cuz it was cheap and doesnt wear quick when i skid

 

[Steve Austin]

Gators are great tyres really. nice and quick and tough too.

 

[potsy]

So theres me thinking I'm really slow and it's all because of my tyres?

 

[Joe24]

So theres me thinking I'm really slow and it's all because of my tyres?

Exactly.

 

[aserota]

I may be going mad, but..........

I ride around 6-9k miles a year and obviously get puctures from time to time.

From my experience, it doesnt seem to make much difference if you use a gatorskin tyre over something like a basic continental sport tyre (regarding punctures). I commute along oxford street and the edgware road, both of which are pretty poor conditioned with potholes. I find making sure tyres are upto pressure (i.e. above 90psi) and actually avoiding potholes makes all the difference.

I had two punctures within 250 miles with my gatorskins and none so far with over 1000 miles on my el cheapo continental ultra sports.

You do get more grip (in general) with a pricer tyre though

 

[Tynan]

had gatorskin on mine from new, recomnded by the chap in the shop

hated them, they cut up, they flatted and outright skated in the wet

 

[Aperitif]

...been a while since this one has come around...

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=27490

 

[Ben M]

I like my gatorskins.

 

[potsy]

...been a while since this one has come around...

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=27490

Sorry Aperitif,had not seen that thread but I was more interested in the speed difference between the 2 rather than the protection,as I'm sure the M+ are better for that.If the difference is really noticeable then I will get some other tyres not necessarily the gator-skins but something with a bit of protection certainly (Bontrager Hard case maybe)
Anyway will be commuting with my clip-less pedals and shoes from monday so may be quicker already

 

[HJ]

Got to be Conti GatorSkins I have done well over a 1000 miles on the current set without a single intrusion through the tyre...

 

[Aperitif]

Sorry Aperitif,had not seen that thread but I was more interested in the speed difference between the 2 rather than the protection,as I'm sure the M+ are better for that.If the difference is really noticeable then I will get some other tyres not necessarily the gator-skins but something with a bit of protection certainly (Bontrager Hard case maybe)
Anyway will be commuting with my clip-less pedals and shoes from monday so may be quicker already

i only included it for info but, having used Gators for a long time they are definitely a better tyre for speed than the M+ - without a doubt. 23c would be even quicker. I don't think I made the simple error of not giving them enough air either - just one of those things I suppose.
Commuting confidence with M+ = 10/10

 

[johnnyh]

Gator skins, the amount of stuff I have removed from them and not one flat, have them on both road bikes and will replace like for like.

 

[Tynan]

the tyre debate is toss

where you ride, how you ride, what you ride etc etc etc

all important variables that affect tyre performance