I'll say it... I like Gatorskins
#27
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I used them on my commuter and never had a flat on them....the offset was the horrendous ride quality, but I rather have no flats.
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Thoughts
Sometimes extra protection just brings peace of mind. Of course some readers think of tires, some weapons, and some other ....things. No one likes a flat....
Of course this is someone who takes a 3 ton floor jack on road trips in the car ...or when trailering a boat.
Of course this is someone who takes a 3 ton floor jack on road trips in the car ...or when trailering a boat.
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I use 25mm armadillo's, I have had thread exposed without flatting out. My average speed really drops when fixing a flat, not to mention being late, so I totally understand.
#30
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I lost a brand new 27mm Vittoria Open Pave to a road hazard. An emergency order of 25mm Gatorskins got me back on the road(I was away from home, on vacation.). I can't tell the difference in road feel. I'm al old man who rides like an old man.
#31
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I have 8 of the 28mm black edition
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I've just started using 28C Gatorskins on my old road bike that I use for commuting in dry weather. I couldn't actually get 25C's as tyres are in short supply with the retailer I wanted to use (I get 'Blue Light' discount there) but I'm glad as the 28C's feel good and so much nicer than the 25C Marathon Plus Reflex tyres on my main commuter with fenders. On wet days I'm happy enough with the Marathons but they are harsher and heavier.
#34
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Why is it only Gatorskins that get this much love-hate and not, for example, Armadillos?
#35
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Hello. My name is RSbob and was a Gatorskin user for 20 years. I have been clean for 2. I still crave them though 
Rode them for as long as they have been around. Used then for commuting, road riding, long tours and on a tandem- really good tires. Got a new bike with tubeless and… then the story takes a turn. Nothing wrong with Gatorskins.

Rode them for as long as they have been around. Used then for commuting, road riding, long tours and on a tandem- really good tires. Got a new bike with tubeless and… then the story takes a turn. Nothing wrong with Gatorskins.
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#36
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For those on gatorskins, really consider the 4 seasons instead, way better ride quality, suppleness, and only marginally lower puncture protection and wear. Nothing like the tradeoffs going to a racing tire like a gp5000
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...prix-5000-2018
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...prix-5000-2018
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#37
Banned.


Blackburn Outpost World Tour rack and Ortlieb Front Roller Classics

Nice turn radius as well
The left pannier holds a Amok Draumr Cammo 3.0 with the FJOL 25x77-inch R4 sleep pad.
The right pannier holds a Six Moon Designs Haven mesh tent with a bathtub floor, a Dutchware 10x12-foot SilPoly tarp with two spreader bars (one side has doors, the other is wide open), and two Costco Down throws.
I generally use this in National Parks where I set up a base camp and use the bike to explore/trout fish/disperse camp in interesting areas. .
You will need this Quick Release Skewer as the Blackburn is mounted via the quick release skewer, and each side of the rack is 1.5-inches in length where the skewer runs through it to give the rack a purchase point. So the load bearing is carried on the skewer, as the carbon forks would have a hard time supporting the weight.
Exxxxxtra Long Quick Release Skewer
Last edited by Cyclist0105; 08-31-21 at 03:30 AM.
#38
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I think, at least judging from around my area, a lot of the Conti mention in general (whether it's tires or tubes) is because just about every independent bike shop seems to carry Conti. Indeed, trying to find racks full of Pirelli or Michelin or Vittoria tubes/tires is quite elusive. Armadillos I'd assume would only be found in a Specialized shop.
#39
Fredly Fredster
I have Gatorskins on my backup road bike... Trek 1.1. I like Gatorskins better than the original Bontrager tires that came with the bike. I'm a recreational rider... so Gatorskins are fine with me. I don't see what the big negative fuss is over them. I needed a tire that wouldn't go flat... and I've never had a flat with Gatorskins.
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I’ve been using gatorskins on at least one of my bikes for many years. Running them on one of my commuters now. Have never had any issues with them. Not my first choice of tire but they would be far from the last.
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#42
Junior Member
Maybe not quite as much, but Schwalbe Marathons definitely have a similar love-hate representation. I think it comes down to tires with enough sales to generate a volume of lovers and haters. The Armadillos likely don't sell in anywhere near the same volume, same things for Bontrager Hard Case, etc that are limited to shops selling Specialized or Trek respectively, and even then when it comes to tires, the tire brand tires are still usually stocked in larger numbers than the bike brand tires.
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#45
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746 days Gatorskin free after 10yrs of near daily use. Still have long term damage to my road perception
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#46
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#48
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#49
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Nah. I ride bikes with Gatorskins and Michelin Pro Race 4s which are very nice tires. Have Conti 3000 on another. I ride the Mich and Conti because I really don't have an issue with flats, they rarely happen to me. There is a slight difference I can feel in suppleness, and if there's a difference in grip, it's lost on me because I don't push that hard. I don't deny there's differences, but I really, really doubt it's meaningful to 99.9% of even enthusiastic riders. Certainly and not even close to worth the difference in flat protection for those that need it. Not anywhere close to the hyperbolic difference you describe.
10+/- watts per tire rolling resistance vs 20++
300grams/10oz +/- weight savings
A set of tires, that cost about the same as the other set, instantly save 25-30+/- watts & 10oz. (I trained hard all winter, tons of sweat and pain - didn't gain 30 watts)
Plus, the ride quality is night and day.
I don't know what other bike parts will get you that kind of performance gains for essentially no money.
#50
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I switched to Black edition a few seasons ago. Last summer I ordered another set, had them sitting at home when 180 miles away I discovered a tire slice after riding through a patch of glass. Found a LBS mid ride and changed it out. Once home swapped that tire out and the front with the new set of black edition. This would have been late July or mid-august. Couple weeks ago noticed a couple cuts across the tread all the way to the casing. Had very few actual miles on this tire. It was flat across the contact patch the complete circumference of the tire. I rode the trainer from mid-fall through most of spring with a different tire until I bought my Zwift smart trainer. Years back when I was riding 5-7K a year I would go through 3 tires a year, one front, two rears. Mostly with Spec 'dillas. These Gatorskins for me have been a big disappointment in tire life. The cost was good though since I kept finding them for a rather low price on Bike Tires Direct.
I swapped out to a 24 S-works turbo pro. Instantly noticed how much quicker my bike felt in spite of 120 psi. I used to stock up in the spring on these when Specialized was running BOGO 1/2. This was the last one of those. It was due to the logistics of tire shopping during the 'rona that I started using Gatorskins, price also played a part. I had my share of issues with Specialized tires as well. Delamination was a big one. Premature weather checking another. The proverbial straw though was delamination of a CX tubular with only a handful of races on it, it was even a front tire so almost no tread wear.
I am now in the hunt for my next tires. I prefer to have a set at home for the convenience of swapping out when I need regardless of day of week or time of day.
I agree with those that say run anything else right after you run Gatorskins to notice the difference. Is the flat protection worth the piss poor ride? Only you can answer that one.
I swapped out to a 24 S-works turbo pro. Instantly noticed how much quicker my bike felt in spite of 120 psi. I used to stock up in the spring on these when Specialized was running BOGO 1/2. This was the last one of those. It was due to the logistics of tire shopping during the 'rona that I started using Gatorskins, price also played a part. I had my share of issues with Specialized tires as well. Delamination was a big one. Premature weather checking another. The proverbial straw though was delamination of a CX tubular with only a handful of races on it, it was even a front tire so almost no tread wear.
I am now in the hunt for my next tires. I prefer to have a set at home for the convenience of swapping out when I need regardless of day of week or time of day.
I agree with those that say run anything else right after you run Gatorskins to notice the difference. Is the flat protection worth the piss poor ride? Only you can answer that one.
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