Continental Gatorskin Tyre - 700x25

No flats on 1st pair of 28mm GatorSkin tires. On 2nd pair the store mechanic install what may've technically been correct and same size tube in it, 700c x 28mm tube, but the tube kept flating after long rides, not during the ride. No sign of tire damage at all and no bubble leaks found from tube. Located my old tubes; they were smaller 700c x 23-25mm which fit the rim perfect inflated. Put the 23-25mm tubes in and had no "tube" flats ever again. Excess tube must've been pinching the stem or something. Only other flat in 10 years came when a truck must have shot a large roofing staple hitting my tire wall going all the way thru creating loud clicking sound suddenly of staple hitting part of brakes hardware.

Been using these tires for years- only 1 complaint

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".

Best tires ever made!

Simply the most durable, and best road bike tire ever made! I have ridden Gatorskins exclusively for about 11 years now and have NO intention of even trying another tire. Absolutely superior in thorn resistance and endurance! As long as I avoid cutting one of these on some glass I have averaged 5500 miles per set over the last 10 sets. I ride 4-6 times per week all year and have gone 2 years at a time without a single flat. I've literally worn a set out multiple times without ever having a flat...

Continental LOST The Recipe - Now Garbage!

I have been running Gatorskins on my road bike for over two DECADES in the 23 or 25 wire bead variety. Never had a problem with wear or flats. I could easily run them down to cord showing with no issues. I would run 4K miles on the front and then rotate to the back and run 4K more before the tire was worn out. BTW, I only weigh 150 lbs.For the first time I tried 28mm with folding bead. I had two tires bought separately fail with tread separation in 1.5-3K miles, long before the tread was worn out. See the attached photos.

Continues to be my go to tire

The gatorskin is a terrific all around tire.I rode over 15,000 miles on my bikes last year (no-e-bikes - just me powered bikes). Over 35,000 miles in the last three years.My tire of choice on all my road bikes is the Continental Gatorskin. I’ve used the Hardshell as well, but the gatorskin gives ample road protection while still providing a responsive feel and performance

Good Quality Tires; pretty puncture-proof

Tire weight is acceptable for general road use. Respond well. Have had decent tread wear when regularly rotating the set. Historically, when using alone, very low number of punctures. (small wire/staple had penetrated to the tube on a couple of instances) After adding puncture liners, have had no flats since then.

Never flat again!

Okay, maybe a bit of an exaggeration. I've only had 3 flats in about 5 years with these tires. Thousands of KMs. These may be a bit heavier than other tires, but I don't spend time on the side of the road cursing at a flat tire anymore, so they are dramatically faster overall. :^) I agree with other reviews that the bead can be very tight, but then again, you only have to change them once every few years, so who cares. LOL. I highly recommend Gatorskins. They are the only tires I'll put on my racing bike.

Tough, good rolling, good side protection, excellent quality

These replaced Continental 4000S tyres. The Gatorskin is a tighter fit so be prepared to use tyre levers for the last bit when fitting. They are tough especially on the sides because just as many punctures happen there as elsewhere on a tyre. I'm in the Swansea area which has a lot of bikeways cos the Council wants to make the place into bike city and they are succeeding, but the roads are diabolical. Nothing is ever puncture proof but these Gatorskins are about as close as you can get and they roll along wonderfully. I wouldn't put anything else on my bike and I don't really care that they cost in the 25 to 30 quid zone. My bike is a Cannondale Caad8. Steve

Unacceptable

Was my go-to tire for 12 years. Negligible road feel, but the best flat protection I have ever come across. Then, finally, I realized I was changing wheels in order to avoid trying to change a flat. Wire bead is impossibly tight! Switched to a variety of tires, but whenever I got a Conti, a similar problem occurred. Will NEVER buy another Conti tire. (Their tubes are great.)ANY tire, other than a Conti, is always a better solution.

way to rigid, hard to get on

I bought to swap with my gravel bike tires. The tires are nearly impossible to get on the rim. I just got a new tire lever in a final attempt to get them on. Pinched multiple tubes just trying to get the tire onto the rim. They are likely being returned unless this new tool does some magic. For reference, I am able to change a normal tire out in less than 5 minutes and these make it an impossible chore.