Continental Gatorskin DuraSkin Tire, 2-Count (Folding, 700 x 28mm)

I've been riding the Continental Gatorskin for about 15 years after years of racing on lighter tires. I would call them puncture-resistant, but not puncture-proof. I ride 10,000+ miles/year and get a handful of flats - usually from sharp glass shards and goatheads. Otherwise they wear very well, making them more economical that most other tires. I recommend the foldable tire, which can be mounted without a tire iron with some practice and strong fingers, thus eliminating the chance of pinch flats. The rigid version with the wire bead is very difficult to mount without risking damaging the tube, although there is an on-line video showing some tricks to alleviate the difficulty.

I've been using these tires for many years and have found them to be quite reliable. Yes, I've had a few flats, but I'd like to think that number would been much higher had I not been using the Gatorskins. I've been able to get what I consider good mileage out of them with nominal wear to the tread surface. However, what does give me cause for concern are the sidewalls. When I first started using them I began noticing black hair-like threads hanging off the sidewall close to where the tire is seated to the rim- *not* at the point of contact with the rim, but about 2-4 millimeters away from the edge of the rim. Moreover, this happened not just on one rim or one bike, but it's happened on multiple rims and bikes. I've come to the conclusion the sidewalls are simply ... MoreI've been using these tires for many years and have found them to be quite reliable. Yes, I've had a few flats, but I'd like to think that number would been much higher had I not been using the Gatorskins. I've been able to get what I consider good mileage out of them with nominal wear to the tread surface. However, what does give me cause for concern are the sidewalls. When I first started using them I began noticing black hair-like threads hanging off the sidewall close to where the tire is seated to the rim- *not* at the point of contact with the rim, but about 2-4 millimeters away from the edge of the rim. Moreover, this happened not just on one rim or one bike, but it's happened on multiple rims and bikes. I've come to the conclusion the sidewalls are simply delaminating on a thread-by-thread basis and I haven't experienced a complete sidewall failure. I just have to take a pair of scissors after the threads every so often. Just for reference, I generally use 700x23's, but have had the occasion to use 700x25's and 700x28 (only once). I had originally thought it might have been a heat build-up issue from using a trailer, but I haven't used that in several years now and it didn't seem to make a difference.All that said, I like the tires- but I wish I could have greater confidence in the sidewall construction. If not for that, I would rate the tires with a "5".

I use these on my Trike for Road Cycling/Touring during The Hedge Cutting Season and winter. They are pretty bomb proof at resisting thorns and other punctures. With sidewall protection I haven’t found a better tyre to avoid punctures.A down side is on the rare occasions that I have had a puncture from a thorn the thorn has broken when I tried to get it out. I personally consign the tyre to the bin, for fear that the thorn left in the tyre causing a further puncture. The other downside is the tyre is slow rolling. Don’t expect to break any records.On the plus side, I use them throughout winter, despite appearances they have very good grip and are hard wearing.