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Grab the Gatorskin before flat-tire crocodile tears start falling.

The Continental Gatorskin Tires are a bit less costly than the ever-popular G.P. 4-Season. However, like the 4-Season, the Gatorskins are made for the insults of gritty winter riding. Comparatively, they're a bit slower, a bit heavier, but it's because they are unmatched for puncture-proofness. The secret to their durability on bad roads is twofold and is due to Continental's materials technology.

They use Duraskin anti-cut fabric to give the sidewalls extra protection against cuts. It's a polyamide (nylon) mesh that is bonded onto the sidewall plies. It acts like the ripstop material you'd find on ultralight jackets or tents. In the event that you do encounter a sharp object with potential to cut the sidewall, the Duraskin mesh will resist and most importantly limit the extent of the damage. The second line of defense is a puncture resistant layer under the tread called Poly X Breaker. It's a dense layer of tough nylon, designed to add serious protection. With the tread and sidewall bolstered against the hazards of the road, you'll worry less about grit and gravel on the edge of the road and more about enjoying your ride.

Continental Gatorskin Tires have Black tread with Black Duraskin sidewalls. They're available in 700 x 23c and 700 x 25c folding versions.

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Continental Gatorskin Tire - Clincher

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Here's what others have to say...

5 5

thefurryone

Member since 

There might be lighter tires out there, but I don't care. These are awesome. Not a lot of thorns where I live, but I have ridden over broken glass quite a few times with no ill effects. Would recommend them highly.

Does anybody know whether these tires (700...

tre5842632

Member since 
Posted on

Does anybody know whether these tires (700 x 23 OR 700 x 25) will fit a Specialised Tricross rim? The bike currently has the factory fit "Alex rims S480" and I now want to use more of a road tire when on the pavement. Thanks....

thefurryone

Member since 
Responded on

Looks like those are just standard road wheels, so either size should fit just fine.

5 5

David Platt

Member since 

I've been riding these on my road bike for the last 3000 miles and I couldn't be happier. Very few punctures and the ones that do get through are usually pretty serious pieces of metal (industrial staples and construction stuff). Smooth rolling even at lower pressures and great traction. Pretty good in the wet too. Good to occasionally swap front to rear to keep wear patterns even. I don't even shop for tires, I just buy a new set of these when its time.

5 5

Michael Kosta

Member since 

I have ridden quite a few other tires, thinking I could find something better than these. There is nothing better. Durable, hold the road on the fastest descents and at speed; I NEVER worry about how my tires are doing. Iron Horse Road Race: there is so much to be aware of roaring down Molas pass; I'm not worried about my tires. I KNOW how they are doing. I put on 4-5000 training miles a year and these will last most of the season: 3000 miles is not unusual. Really. And they take the grief from the road. The KELVAR belt is amazing and the side walls chuck away most everything I don't see. I check my tires after each ride and pull out all the junk that gets stuck in them so it doesn't advance. This has to be one of the best all-around tires out there. No alligator skin; just great tires!!

Kati

Member since 
Responded on

How does it handle in wet conditions?

Sticky flat stoppers

Nate Tovornik

Member since 
Posted on

Haven't put a ton of miles on these tires, but so far I love them. Riding on the roads around my house in western PA (that are scattered with debris and crap) I've been fine and haven't flatted yet with roughly 100-200 miles on them.

3 5

willhuff.net

Member since 
Groups:

I don't think I made it 125 miles before a thorn made it through the tire and gave me a flat. The name is also a little misleading because I don't think there is any real alligator skin in this tire, though the price suggests there is.

Clincher or tubular?

Does it matter?

ama3175108

Member since 
Posted on

Clincher or tubular?

Does it matter?

Cory Guru

Member since 
Groups:
Best Answer Responded on

These are clinchers. And yes, you do need to run these on clincher wheels- it does matter, they won't work on tubulars.

5 5

eriqjo

Member since 

Upgraded from Conti Ultra Sports and haven't looked back. I ride on some sketchy roads with a ton of debris and haven't had a flat yet. I only have about 600 miles on these so far, but I had 4 flats in 200 miles on the Ultra Sports.

Less time on the side of the road
4 5

David Grimm

Member since 
Groups:

These tires are excellent. After a few weeks on a lower quality brand (which shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) and living the life of changing flats on the side of the road during my commute, I bit the bullet and upgraded. My blood pressure has improved significantly.

4 5

Merebea Danforth

Member since 
Groups:

I don't really dork out on tires. Though I spend a fair amount of time on my road bike, I don't race and I don't worry too much about weight and rolling resistance. I bought the Ultra Gatorskin on a recommendation from a co-worker here at RealCyclist, and have been happy so far. I've put only about three hundred miles on these, but I think they'll hold up well and give me my money's worth.

5 5

Randy Sherwood

Member since 

These seem almost as fast as the Pro Race 3 tires and wear a lot better. Been riding these for 1,000 miles now and no flats. Definitely recommended.

4 5

Brad

Member since 

Put on the 25s for a little bigger "patch" and to deal with winter road debris, potholes, etc. - and more than normal riding indoors on the trainer - saving the light weight "skinnys" for spring competition.
A smidge heavy for year round use - for my taste. But, I rarely go over 50 miles at a time and our roads are fairly decent - so, flats are rare.

My winter / trainer tire
5 5

gms3280833

Member since 

Great tire. Rides well. Used them a triathlon with NO problems. Will buy again.

4 5

jcg2754581

Member since 

The flat protection on these are awesome as long as you take care of the tires. As with any tires they need to be inspected after rides at the very least for anything making its way through the tire. I rode these for 3 double century events a few 100+ mi. club events and numerous other rides with my club. the only flat I got came after all the club rides and on my third double when a 1/4" sliver of glass worked its way to my tube. The only gripe I have comes with the territory of puncture resistant tires and that is the ride quality. These are not the greatest in rain or on wet roads and on ultras they are definitely not as nice in ride quality as their cousin the GP4000's. But I gladly trade ride quality for being on the side of the road changing a flat or two during a double.

Write your question here...What is the...

Bob

Member since 
Posted on

Write your question here...What is the recommended inflation pressure for these? (700-23)

Damon Salter

Member since 
Responded on

110PSI is the recommended pressure, 120PSI is the stated maximum. Ofcourse real tire pressure should very based on your weight and personal preference.

s2c3724000

Member since 
Responded on

Bob,
FWIW, tire pressure has nothing to do with your weight. Granted a heavier rider with an under-pressured tyre would more likely experience a pinch flat (than a lighter rider over the same obstical) but as far as what pressure to set, no difference in pressure should be considered because of your weight.

I'm 220 and run 'gators at 120 psi... read the stamp on the tire!

5 5

joshua45781962767

Member since 

I replaced some Vittoria Rubino Pro tires (foldable) with these Ultra Gatorskins because I was tired of changing flats constantly. It didn't seem to matter whether it was glass on the trail or pebbles on the road, I had enough of the "kevlar" protection in the Rubino's that wasn't working. A co-worker of mine said he has been running Conti Ultra Gatorskins for about 3000 miles on one of his bikes without a flat yet, so I thought it had to be good. Since I bought them and put them on, I've heard that story echoed from others as well. I only have about 100 miles on these tires so far, but I've ridden over some pretty nasty trails that have broken glass all over them and haven't had a problem with a flat yet...here's to that trend continuing.

The rolling resistance is great, and to correct the product "Tech Specs", the foldable version (sold here) weighs only 230 grams-so weight isn't really that bad either. Easy to mount...didn't need levers.

joshua45781962767

Member since 
Responded on

I've put about 1000 miles on these tires since I got them and still no flats. I even took them on a ride across the state of Oklahoma (490 miles in 8 days) and had NO problems. These tires are the bomb...bombproof.

I can still see the raised seam in the middle of the front tire...so I'd say these are wearing excellently as well. The description is a misprint...the 280grams is for the wire gatorskins...since these are the foldable, they weigh in around 230 grams, which is comparable with other performance racing tires. Anyone I know who buys this tire plans on purchasing them again...I still have some stubborn friends who want to buy some race tire because of how it looks, but the next time they flat, I'm riding on and leaving them in the dust.

5 5

Mannie Rabara

Member since 

Feeling good about my purchase. Going through the streets of Oakland, I feel confident that these will hold up to the urban obstacles of glass and rocks.

View all contributions... Be patient, it might take a while.