Anyone else ride Gatorskins? How do you like them on your hybrid if you do? Too rough a ride, not enough grip in wet? Those are a lot of the comments in the road bike section about them? Only had them for a day on my Giant and they ride just fine.

Just swapped the stock tyres and tubes on my Trek DS, which to be honest were fine anyway. Changed to gator-hardshell 700x32 folding tyres as I'm riding more roads at the moment.
I was concerned the ride would be harsh. But this has not been the case at all. I have lost half a pound of weight off each wheel. The bike accelerates faster. The ride is comfier and the difference in steering around corners and in the wet is massively improved. And that is not an exageration.
The tyres are more than fine on a bit of rough pathways and light trails too (apart from when its too muddy.)

The road bike section has the harshest critics of any bike products. I have learned if you read their reviews of stuff you might not ever buy anything.

These tires supposed to be one of the best for fast hybrid bikes. The only thing keeping me from switching from my favorite Vittoria Rubino to Gatorskin is the amount of reviews about sidewall damage/catastrophic sidewall failure. I'm too heavy, and I ride too fast to feel safe on these tires.
I'm sure you will be happy with them. Keep us posted.

The Gator-hardshell has better reinforcement on the sidewalls than the gator-shell.

Yes. There is Continental "Gatorskin" and Continental "Gator Hardshell".
Hardshell supposed to be little stronger, but also little harsher ride comparing to Gatorskin.
OP is writing about Gatorskin version, which supposed to have issues with very weak sidewalls.

The first time I rode the Gatorskins everything seemed easier. Dead stop takeoff, turns, braking in the wet, less rolling resistance. I was so sold I wanted to put them on my Sirrus as well. But the store ran out of 28mm. The stuff is cheaper on Ebay but you know you got to support the local LBS and the people in the community so I buy local when prices are within reason close. \

Than I did a search here and the some love/some hate. As of right now and only one ride, I think they are really really good. I have the Rubino Pro Slicks on my Sirrus and they are pretty soft comfortable tires and a great value from Performance bike at 30 bucks each.

There are basically two types of hybrids in my book, mostly on road, and dual purpose. Since my hybrid is focused as mostly on road... I run roadbike wheel sets. I love my gatorskin 700×25C Tires. Indestructible, comfy, and tolerable in wet or off road conditions. 6 months, ridden every day. No flats yet, and did i mention comfy and safe when wet.

You couldn't pay me to put a different tire on my commuter.

I don't know about that. 2 weeks ago a friend noticed a slight bulge in my tire 15 miles into a 60 mile ride. I blew it off thinking, "it'll be ok". I finished the ride, good one too, and checked the tire when I got home. Check the pic. If it had been anything else I would have walked home. 123 psi in that tire.

To me, that shows that the sidewall blew (not a strong sidewall.)

Youre lucky the tube didnt bulge out and get sliced by the pads. Rema patch kits have tire boots for this type of emergency

That's exactly what people are experiencing, without any previous damage to the sidewall.
I'm riding for around 30 years, probably close to 100k miles, and I never experienced that kind of tire failure. I'm very surprised that this line of Continental are so delicate with their weight, especially when comparing them to my Vittoria Rubino tires. Rubinos are lighter and absolutely bomb proof. My guess is that soft sidewall in Continentals make ride more comfy comparing to Vittoria tires. Everyone is looking for something different in tires, and my main need is durability and superb puncture protection at minimal possible weight.

Vittoria Rubino 700x28 wire bead - 345g
Continental 700x28 wire bead Gatorskin - 360g / foldable 320g
Continental 700x28 wire bead Gator Hardshell - 350g / foldable 310g

I found this. It's about more delicate, more "pro" version of Rubinos. I'm actually surprised that people are saying they are way more comfy than Gatorskins. I pay for my Rubino around $18-$20, which is about half what Continental cost...
https://forums.roadbikereview.com/whe...ns-284036.html

I had one on the front blow out from the side wall.

A common source of sidewall cuts is an improperly setup brake pad (too high)

Cantilevers, especially with narrow rims and wide tires are very prone to this due to the arcing path the pads take

I'm more confused than ever reading the reviews on that road bike review site. Its good entertainment though, I will not be able to afford switching out tires like shoes. Looking foward to the Gatorskins on my bike regardless its feels excellent to me. I will say the power of suggestion is extremely high to me with products.

Yes, BUT...big chunk of people with failed sidewall on Continentals have disc brakes.

Here are my Rubino tires...Lets call it "wear test". Just to show a safer and longer lasting option.

Vittoria Rubino 700x28c wire bead.

- Specialized CrossTrail Hybrid
- 275-295lbs rider
- 50% on crushed stone trails, other half city streets, walkways/bicycle routes, paved trails and unpaved rural roads (read - everywhere)
- 115-120PSI
- 13-17mph average speed
- Both used tires are from the rear

From the left:

brand new | around 700 miles | around 1500 miles



The only thing that will destroy this tire fast (especially at my weight) is locking the rear on hard surface. You will get flat spots fast.
If Continental fix the sidewall issue - I will give them a chance.

FWIW,I've seen prolly a dozen or more bikes come into my clinic with Conti's that have the crosshatched pattern sidewalls like in the above pics that had sidewall damage. Most didn't look like anything had torn them,they just looked like the sidewall was going to pot like the old skinwalls used to. Actually appears it could be a design flaw. Also really freakin' annoying that Conti tends to put the inflation instructions in the sidewall pattern so you're practically reading braille to see how much air to put in the tire.

Travel contact includes the gatorskin .. its a rugged 37 , not a narrower go fast 32~28.


Hitting road debris and having tire damage is part of cycling Life.

My 2 changes from stock on the Giant SLR Fastroad. Better Tires and a Handlebar change. I went to a 660mm MTB bar for better comfort and more leverage due to the rise. And the light is a 2 dollar front light bought in Tijuana, Mexico.