Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a good alternative to the Continental Gatorskin Hardshell?

I am (slowly) riding my bike around the world, doing another section every year or so. I used Schwalbe Marathons on the Alaska Highway, but they always felt slow. I switched to Continental Gatorskins in Montana and have been very pleased. Very few flats, great longevity and I like the way they ride. Through South America and Africa I continued to use the Gatorskin 700x32, but also carried a pair of 700x45 gravel tires for extended periods on dirt roads, which were quite common in the Andes and Africa.

This fall I plan to ride the Middle East and will mostly be on road. I'd like to only bring one pair of tires. It'll be 2500 miles, so one pair should last. But there will be some dirt roads, so I'd like to go wider than 700x32. Unfortunately they don't make Gatorskins any wider than 32.

Any recommedations for a tire with the following criteria?

Between 700x35 and 38
Road tread
Great flat protection, longevity, low rolling resistance (the Holy Grail!)
Tubeless could be good, but not neccesary

Thanks!

Pat