I've been experimenting a bit. I like how the "gators" roll, although some of the roadies have complained about them.

I still like my 23/25 mm tires, and just never was happy riding 32mm Protek Cross Max tires. With the one note that the Cross Max tires were one of the most sure-footed tires (on pavement) that I've tried including wet and slushy. Gators can become slick in slick conditions.

I think the Gator Hardshells are a bit longer lasting than the Gatorskins. I'll still get the occasional flat, but not that many.

I did have one sidewall blowout of a nearly new Gator Hardshell. And, it has me very nervous about the tires, but so far that seems to be a fluke.

Over time, the sidewalls on a couple of the Continental tires (different models) have gotten fuzzy. It doesn't seem to have greatly affected the performance of the tires, and I've concluded that the crossing on the sidewalls may well be more cosmetic than functional. One must take care not to rub the tires otherwise one get the fuzz.