Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Tires, Maxxis or Gatorskin hardshell

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drutigliano
03-06-11, 06:25 AM
I am currently running the hardshells but am looking into maxxis. I understand Maxxis makes a great tire, but what is something that I should run? I want something puncture resistent in a 23 mm that is designed to ruff it. 15 miles there and back to work on a ****ty terrain (staten Island roads).
HandsomeRyan
03-06-11, 07:11 AM
My personal experience is that Gatorskins suck. I still got a bunch of flats and they are so tight on most rims that you better carry some beefy tire levers to get them off and on when you do flat out. For what they cost I was very dissatisfied.
Edge_Walker
03-06-11, 07:20 AM
I was looking at Gatorskins a long time before I came across these. Serfas Seca's, found here (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&pq=serfas+seca&xhr=t&q=serfas+seca&cp=16&qe=c2VyZmFzIHNlY2EgcHVuYw&qesig=BXI9HpMqVJjVBhZ71rKOCA&pkc=AFgZ2tmSQWbHgelD3gRxROhWhiFH8B_06SSI6r0ZlmOIb1QIM5AOcIHtPDIIIsbp5hdfSxPThtPL3tl1s0Wjb9_5DwDNQsFv Bg&safe=off&bav=on.2,or.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=9751357192721174405&sa=X&ei=y5dzTYDPCsH88AbA_qT1Dw&sqi=2&ved=0CCMQ8wIwAQ#). I haven't had a flat on them and have already put about 150 miles on them
Squirrelli
03-06-11, 09:34 AM
I don't like the weak sidewalls of Gatorskins but the Hardshell's sidewalls are supposedly stronger.
I'm a Michelin convert.
Ken Cox
03-06-11, 09:51 AM
If you ride bad roads, ditch the 23mm tires and go up to 25mm or 28mm if you can.
25 and 28mm tires run faster on the street and they accommodate sharp objects better than 23mm tires.
Conti's 4 Seasons represents their toughest, most flat-resistant tire in 23 and 25mm (extraordinary tire and expensive).
Continental makes a BETTER tire than the 4 Season for less money, in a comparatively narrow 28mm tire that fits (in width) where most 25mm tires will fit:
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/continental-top-contact
One year no-flat guarantee; fast; on and off your rims with no tools, handles beautifully; side tread climbs out of ruts.
Best street bike tire made.
Top contacts should be awesome if they're as good as the top tourings they replaces. Super flat resistant, good ride, grippy, and not even that heavy in the folding version. Still using one on the front for road use. Wire bead gatorskin in the rear just because it was available locally.
531phile
03-06-11, 01:26 PM
My personal experience is that Gatorskins suck. I still got a bunch of flats and they are so tight on most rims that you better carry some beefy tire levers to get them off and on when you do flat out. For what they cost I was very dissatisfied.
This has also been my experience with them. Subpar Flat protection + harsh ride = Why Bother.
I've only tried but a handful of tires. The ones i continue buying are the Panaracer Pasela tires (no Tourguard). I've had 28c and now 25c, which i haven't rolled on yet cause i just put them on. I ride a Single Speed by the way, so i may get one tad more life if you're skidding around:)
If you are looking at 23's, the continental gp4000s tires are he way to go. Great ride, great grip, and great puncture resistance. I couldn't be happier.
calbob76
03-06-11, 06:54 PM
I've been using different 23-28 serfas secas for the past year and they have worked great
drutigliano
03-07-11, 11:03 AM
Not going up in size. I've had a 26mm tire on my iro and though it was great, when I moved back down to my 23mm's on my beater bike i liked the speed and agility and didn't want to go back..
Yeah, **** the gatorskins and getting them back on and I can see the sidewalls starting to unthread. I've sat in my kitchen with levers sweating trying to get them on after changing the tube. I also have deep v rims and want a simple regular rim to fit the ulock onto the frame and front tire (the size of the rim just limits me to lock both). I am not rich, so something that is light and durable would be greatly appreciated.
about the tires, still kind of lost. Best puncture resistant 23mm fast, grippy, piece of rubber ..
Leukybear
03-07-11, 11:26 AM
Hardshell's sidewalls are supposedly stronger.
I recently bought one and the sidewalls do not feel physically that much stronger than that of a traditional gatorskin, although there seems to a tad bit more rubber where the exposed seams are; not sure whether or not it'll make a difference when the unfortunate happens however as I have never had a gatorskin fail on me (even commuting everyday on them) because of road debris.
My only flats with gatorskins have been unpreventable, thumb tacks and larger glass shards that would puncture any "puncture protected" tire.
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