stevebiker

I'm buying a new road bike and want the best flat-resistant tire money can buy, but also with low rolling resistance and a smooth ride quality. So it's a balancing act. I ride on a dedicated, paved bike path, though it sometimes has some debris.

I've pretty much narrowed the field to the Bontrager HardCase, which I've used on my current bike for two years without a flat, or the Ultra GatorSkin.

Both are supposed to be pretty much bombproof for flat resistance, so my focus really is more on ride quality and speed. Comments?

mulveyr 

Well, as one data point, I put a pair of 700x28 Gatorskin Hardshell's on my Secteur last year. I have no idea what the ultimate flat resistance is, because the ride was so incredibly, amazingly, teeth-rattling harsh, even when dropping the pressure to unreasonably low PSI that I ended up taking them off. I'm generally cheap; even if something is not ideal, I'll at least use it until its worn out. Not these - after about a month of riding I donated them to the local co-op and never looked back.

Paul01

My wife and I both ride 700x25 Ultra GatorSkins at abut 100 psi on 25 mm wide Mavic A-319 rims and couldn't be happier with the ride.

Juan Foote

The gatorskins are a far superior ride, however I rode a set of the Bonty hard case tires for well over two years without a single flat. Good thing too, cause trying to pry those bastards off the rim with these POS plastic tire tools is impossible. I agree with the teeth chattering ride quality though. Terrible ride, horrible cornering, and heaven help you if it rains.

tom cotter

I haven't ridden the Bontrager hardcase tire so can't give an opinion. That said, every Bontrager tire i have usee has been horrible. maybe my bad luck.

I use Gatorskins on my training bike. Like you I'm willing to give up some performance for flat protection. So far it's been a great trde-off. No flats in the two years since i made the switch.

There was a handling difference that i noticed right after making the change. The gatorskins definately slowed down the handling. But, not a deal killer. They ride just fine and two years in, i don't remember the quicker handling anymore.

IMO, tires are so much of a personal preference that only way to see what works for you is to take the dive and buy the tires. There really is no wrong answer.