Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Gatorskin vs Randonneur

my rubino pro in the back is starting wear out, it hasn't lasted very long.
ive searched these forums but i really couldnt find a good comparison between the conti gs and the vitt rand. i want one of these two to be my next rear tire because i've heard good about both.
i ride on the street that has a good amount of debri on the side but not all the time. i also ride on concrete/blacktop bike paths to the beach. i haven't had any experience with these tires so can yall help me with the pros and cons and experiences of each? durability, skids, comfortability, ease, etc.

ps. i run 46/17 and skid a lot.

Gatorskins have very weak sidewalls. I know some people here rave about them but I was unhappy that I destroyed a $45 tire in about 2 weeks by hitting an unknown piece of debris on a well maintained multi-use path.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/TireCut1.jpg
Hard to see in the picture but even booting it wasn't enough to keep riding this tire.

YMMV.

I too, hear a lot about how great these tires are, but I remember on my first ride with my conti gs, I hit a freaking flat after about only 10 miles of riding. It was nothing major, but I expected better from a 50 dollar tire. Since then, I've only seen one more flat from it, so uhmm that's about 60 miles with two flats, I don't know if you'd consider that good or not.

I had the exact opposite problem. I have run gatorskins for thousands of miles of commuting without sidewall incident. I picked up a pair of randos and something gouged the sidewall during the first 100 miles. The randos are quite a bit heavier ~500g, while the gatorskins are around 300g for 700x28c.

Gatorskins aren't my favorite tire, though if you want a reasonably fast, durable, long wearing tire for a decent price, they are very hard to beat. In the past 3 years, I've ridden probably close to 15,000 miles on Gatorskins with no flats that I can remember, except one instance where I hit a large angular rock descending a hill at 30+ mph. The sidewall was partially damaged but I was able to get 1000+ more miles out of that tire. The sidewalls are usually the first thing to fail with these tires only because these tires will wear forever, not because the sidewalls are more fragile. I usually get close to 3000 miles per tire, starting with the tire in the front and eventually rotating it to the rear. If you want to avoid premature sidewall tears such as the one posted above, inflate your tires properly and avoid debris. Occasional premature tire death will inevitably happen, regardless of the quality of your tires. Buying an expensive tire is a gamble. A nasty rock or pothole taken at speed can destroy it just as easily as a cheap tire. However, premature sidewall damage from potholes and debris is much less likely with larger tires, regardless of sidewall construction.

I've never tried randos, so I can't really make a comparison.

not that I have experience with any "puncture resistant tire" cause I am worried about skid life running brake-less and not flats. but from what i have heard and have read around about:
gatorskins do have weak sidewalls
specialized armadillo's are great for flat protection but ride like rocks and are sketch in wet conditions
bontrager racelite hardcase are a great tire. Both good on flat protection and a nice ride

@mihbach 15,000miles of riding to wal mart and the library n such(City/suburb riding)?

gator sidewalls are actually very strong, but when something sharp goes through eventually its gonna break through its like taking a butter knife to card board (rock to tire) or a butcher knife to cardboard (glass, nail, etc, to cardboard) i would go with the gator, you have 17 skid patches so you'll even wear out the tire, or u could try out some soma everywears they have a thicker tread. but an extremely weak side wall, mine have already started to crack after a few months of constant riding though.

^soma everwear sidewalls are weak as sh*t. I have seen so many blow out. And to top it they are actually terrible for puncture protection. The rubber is really soft and it has no hard casing underneath. They do come in 26mm though if you want a more plush ride. And you could get those tire liners for puncture protection. Why doesn't anybody ever mention those?

most people dont have the patience to properly install liners, they usually just end up getting mad that they wont go in straight, and just shove everything in, eventually the liners dig through your tubes and yay another flat

i know this isnt what you asked for but... now adays i just run the cheapest special that i can find on bonktown.com they usually have Hutchinson equinox for 10 dollars a pop. lasted as long as the rando i had on the back and is much much cheaper. the only downfall (if you view it that way) is that they are 23 wide instead of the 28 of the randos. you are going to destroy tires riding fixed and skidding your brains out ( i do and i run 46x17). no point in spending 30 dollars on a rando that is going to get thrashed imo. In anycase when i did have my rando in the back i loved it. Nice ride and pretty durable. Never had any blowouts in the month i had it.

i went to bonktown and became confused

You cannot be serious. They only sell one product at a time. I cannot be any more simple.


i went to bonktown and became confused

haha yea it took me awhile because i naturally tried to look at all the products and stuff.

ps. i run 46/17 and skid a lot.

There's your answer right there. Why would you want to use an expensive tire for that?

^Well what else would you use for skidding?

That's a serious question btw. I'm also assuming that higher end tires have better and longer lasting grip.

I´ve heard that the Randos are slippery in the wet. True or false?
Thinking about getting a set for my beater since I´ve also heard they last long.

^Well what else would you use for skidding?

That's a serious question btw. I'm also assuming that higher end tires have better and longer lasting grip.

Depends on what the "high end" tire was intended for. Some are designed for durability, others for grip and/or speed with little to no consideration of durability or puncture protection.

@mihbach 15,000miles of riding to wal mart and the library n such(City/suburb riding)?

15,000 miles takes you a lot of places, but I've never ridden to walmart (don't shop there) or the library (I can walk there).;)

I rode rando's for awhile and am riding a gatorskin now. honestly I like the gatorskin alot better. The Rando's were alot softer and seemed to square off really fast. The gatorskins seem like alot harder rubber and after 3 months of riding are still in alright shape.

I too have been using the Gatorskins and like them quite a bit. I ride on some rough roads and when I skid I am often skidding through rough debris. I always am afraid they'll puncture but they never do. I've been riding/skidding on them daily since August and they are finally starting to show a bit of square off. I'm not exactly sure when I should replace, but probably soon.
I will say that now that I've worn them a bit, when its wet out they will slip and slide very easily when skidding, so be careful.

daily since August and they are finally starting to show a bit of square off. I'm not exactly sure when I should replace, but probably soon.


what size do you use? and for those who else answered, what size gatorskins you use

michelin krylion carbon. Don't know how they hold up for skidding, but they are a great tire.

conti gp 4000

I've never tried gatorskins, so can't speak on its part.
But Vittoria Randonneurs last forever for my kind of skidding. I'm not brakeless skidding all the time, but I do a decent amount whenever I feel trippy. :)
Anyway, I've used them for a few weeks and there is not a single noticeable sign of wear.
Rando:
+ they last sooo long, even more than your orgasms
-they are heavy-ass, obese mother****ers, they literally weigh a ton

I say, if you plan on skidding and tricking, Randos are the way to go, but really, considering them speed and performance wise, stay the **** away.
And I hear the gators last and are overall pretty well-performing (if you're not skidding a lot) :)

I love gatorskins. I'm brakeless, but I don't do skidzzz. I do skip everyonceinawhile when I need to scrub some serious speed going downhill or something, but skidding to stop is pretty ineffective. Seated skidzzz are a little better, but I feel more comfortable riding where I have control and don't need to skidzzz (except for those downhill skipzzz). I've ridden a lot of "high-end" tires too (gp4000 and ProRace3 most recently) and the gatorskin is the closest I've found to the ride quality that doesn't flat once a week (although the gp4000 are pretty good too). The cheap tires are cheap for a reason, I don't buy them anymore. I bought a few of those Equinox tires off Bonktown, and they were deformed and lumpy and they blew off the rim after 500-550 miles. I've heard good things about the (new batch) Schwalbe Ultremos. That's going to be my next purchase once these skinzzz wear out.

what size do you use? and for those who else answered, what size gatorskins you use

23c

I love gatorskins. I'm brakeless, but I don't do skidzzz. I do skip everyonceinawhile when I need to scrub some serious speed going downhill or something, but skidding to stop is pretty ineffective. Seated skidzzz are a little better, but I feel more comfortable riding where I have control and don't need to skidzzz (except for those downhill skipzzz). I've ridden a lot of "high-end" tires too (gp4000 and ProRace3 most recently) and the gatorskin is the closest I've found to the ride quality that doesn't flat once a week (although the gp4000 are pretty good too). The cheap tires are cheap for a reason, I don't buy them anymore. I bought a few of those Equinox tires off Bonktown, and they were deformed and lumpy and they blew off the rim after 500-550 miles. I've heard good things about the (new batch) Schwalbe Ultremos. That's going to be my next purchase once these skinzzz wear out.

25c Schwalbe Ultremo is my rear tire and I'm very happy with it. It feels far nicer than the Ultra Sport I had on before and I have a lot more peace of mind as far as flat protection goes. I'm strongly considering one for the front as well.

I say, if you plan on skidding and tricking, Randos are the way to go, but really, considering them speed and performance wise, stay the **** away.
And I hear the gators last and are overall pretty well-performing (if you're not skidding a lot) :)

i ride around to get places, i do seated skids down hills and slopes, and i do those body forward awkward skids like in alleycat competitions when im bored in front of my house. but i do not, at all, trick. i'm not considering speed at all either =P.

I would say it's worth trying the bontrager racelite hardcase tire. I have heard nothing but great reviews about them

I have used both and I like both, but they are very different tires, IMO.

The Rando provides a much squishier ride and has a more aggressive tread pattern, so they're good for comfy long distance riding, especially if the terrain is a bit bumpy or dirty. (I've taken them off road successfully on a few rides --- nothing too crazy, mind you, but they do well in packed dirt. It's not for nothing that they call it "Randonneur".) I compare them favorably to the Continental Contacts, which were my preferred tire for quite a while.

I currently run Ultra Gatorskins. I got them to train for a ride down the California coast and I liked them so much I rode the coast on them. They're a rougher ride (especially if you inflate them to the recommended spec, which I think is a tad on the high side), but they grip well and certainly feel faster. And they never seem to pick up road debris, which is a big plus in my book.

I ran the Randos (700x28) for probably 2,000 miles then put them on my touring bike.
The Contis (700x25) have been on for a bit more than 3,000 and they're going strong.

Never a flat. I see no reason to skid, so I don't. I'd recommend either tire, for whatever suits your riding preferences more.

But if you're looking for a skidding tire, please just get some cheap junk. It's not fair to nice tires to sacrifice them on the alter of coolness.

^what brian said.

But if you're looking for a skidding tire, please just get some cheap junk. It's not fair to nice tires to sacrifice them on the alter of coolness.

what coolness? i've used a fair share of cheap tires and some didn't even last a week.

michelin krylion carbon. Don't know how they hold up for skidding, but they are a great tire.
I had one blow out on me without warning a few years ago.

But if you're looking for a skidding tire, please just get some cheap junk. It's not fair to nice tires to sacrifice them on the alter of coolness.
Since when did this thread become about skidding? I think most people who don't run a break do skid on occasion though to help kill some speed. I know anytime I am a little too tired to slow 80 gear inches down quickly I just stop my back tire. Or when descending a hill into a stop light a little tire stomp saves the legs a lot of work.
It's nice to have a tire that works on the puncture protection front and manages to last more than a week with some skidding involved.

Skidding is for kids and noobs. Its not a good way to stop and it trashes tires. Perhaps its fun to skid for a few weeks once you learn how, until it begins to seem like a pointless juvenile behavior. I can't even remember the last time I skid. Ultimately, its more satisfactory to ride on good tires in a sensible manner.

Panaracer Tserv are still my favorite over Gatorskins. I had some sidewall nicks on the Gatorskins from very early on, but still rode them till the threads. Never had a problem with them flatting out because of the nicks, I just thought it looked bad. Gatorskins do ride nice and I did like they way they felt, I just don't think I would buy them new again.

Since when did this thread become about skidding?
Since the first post. The OP stated: "ps. i run 46/17 and skid a lot."

Randos are my favorite tires to skid with. They last long (significantly longer than gatorskins in my experience) and they skid very consistently/smoothly. Sort of like a gummy eraser. You can get them fairly cheap (18$ on wiggle right now if you qualify for free ship, otherwise 20-25 isn't too hard for me locally). Those $10 hutchinson tires are a joke for skidding. You can get much cheaper tires that will last longer if you just want to thrash your tire.



Skidding is for kids and noobs. Its not a good way to stop and it trashes tires. Perhaps its fun to skid for a few weeks once you learn how, until it begins to seem like a pointless juvenile behavior. I can't even remember the last time I skid. Ultimately, its more satisfactory to ride on good tires in a sensible manner.

You're joking right? I don't promote brakeless riding but I still find it fun to skid through turns and down hills (reminds me of snowboarding) after 2 years and I'm sure plenty of other people do. I can easily afford $20-30 every 4 months (at most). I guess I need to grow up :rolleyes:

You're joking right? I don't promote brakeless riding but I still find it fun to skid through turns a

:lol: That always gives me a kick.

since when did this thread become about skidding? I think most people who don't run a break do skid on occasion though to help kill some speed. I know anytime i am a little too tired to slow 80 gear inches down quickly i just stop my back tire. Or when descending a hill into a stop light a little tire stomp saves the legs a lot of work.
It's nice to have a tire that works on the puncture protection front and manages to last more than a week with some skidding involved.

80 gear inches?? Damn son you so strong!!!!

Ted shred?? For the motherf'ing win!!!!!

Oh, I forgot to mention vittoria is going to releasing 700x25 randonneurs sometime this year. The 28s are actually 25s so I'm guessing the 25s will be a bit smaller.

80 gear inches?? Damn son you so strong!!!!

Ted shred?? For the motherf'ing win!!!!!Meh, I used to run an 87 inch gear. Not so bad in a flat city.

Meh, I used to run an 87 inch gear. Not so bad in a flat city.

Meh I run an 87.6 GI regularly and I live in a not so flat area.

You can't really see it too well, but this tire was on my daily ride since August of 2009. With skidding and all I've put it through, I'm very pleased.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/CfdFighting17/IMG_1177.jpg

Seems to be holding up great.

Heck I'll even up the stakes, my 930 has Conti Sprinter Gatorskins(Sewups) on it and with the rare times that I now take the pista on the road I'm using Grand Prix 4 seasons.

Meh I run an 87.6 GI regularly and I live in a not so flat area.

Meh. I spin.

Meh. I spin.

Ditto. 70 right now. Used to be higher but I want to hone my spin :D

Meh, I used to run an 87 inch gear. Not so bad in a flat city.

Sarcasm is not your area of expertise.

Skidding is for kids and noobs. Its not a good way to stop and it trashes tires. Perhaps its fun to skid for a few weeks once you learn how, until it begins to seem like a pointless juvenile behavior. I can't even remember the last time I skid. Ultimately, its more satisfactory to ride on good tires in a sensible manner.

You must be like 50 and forgot how to have fun.
It's like you're a fixed-gear fun Nazi.
"Don't try to enjoy yourself, because riding fixed gear is a mannerly pastime meant for the mature and sophisticated middle-aged rider."
"Do not attempt to pull anything that can, in any way may induce any risk...damn whippersnappers!"
haha

oh, and this if you care:
http://www.paradisegarage.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mashsfvittoria.jpg
street credzz??
lol