I don't have any real numbers but I think it's safe to say everwears last longer than randonneurs. I've never owned an everwear but I have a friend with one that skids much more than me and his outlasted my rando with the same skid patches. I'm sure however, 2 randonneurs will outlast 1 everwear which is about the price they go for. Another reason I like randonneurs is what I mentioned earlier, it feels like an eraser. I've heard it referred to as a mars plastic and I think that's spot on. Smooth skid without being too hard (skid for days) or too sticky (grips/jerks mid skid)

I use white randos on my cutter. As stated above, they're not the most durable tire made, but they give really consistent skids as well as a solid feel.

For my commuter, I use the cheapest tires I can find. Right now I think I have "detonators", which is a terrible name for a tire, but they were like $5 apeice. I used to have gatorskins and they felt like poo, so I didn't see much point in paying a premium for them when I can get cheap tires that also feel like poo.

Somewhat unrelated thought, has anyone here used everwears in the rain? Like biking on freshly zambonied ice (really)

Everwears are known to square off rather quickly. A squared off tire, on a wet surface, will increase your chances of hydroplaning (like you would in a car, which always has square tires). This makes for slippery, scary, yet sometimes fun riding.

Are Gatorskins a real ***** to put on for anyone else? I just got a pair and I had a hell of a time getting them on - mostly just pushing the last little bit over the rim, but it was ridiculous how hard I had to push. Is that normal? I've never had anywhere close to that amount of trouble putting tires on

yeah, I've had a hell of a time throwing on Gatorskins. wasted a tube the last time. next time I get one, it's gonna be a folding tire.

I dunno about gatorskins, but there are plenty of tires out there that are a PITA to get on. My Panaracer Ribmos, for instance, are an absolute nightmare to get on bare-handed, and they're folding, too. I ended up buying a beadjack after blowing two tubes.

Randos = Squishy ride imo, but went with the Gatorskins, they've lasted me a good while and still going ( No flats so far )

Some ( like my friend ) got the Randos ( White ) because it matched his bike, forget aesthetics!
Heard some good/bad stuff about the Armadillos but eh ! All preference, there is no " Best " in general.

You can't hydroplane a bicycle.
You can't hydroplane a bicycle.
You can't hydroplane a bicycle.
You can't hydroplane a bicycle.

Come on everyone! Sing along!

I'm pretty fond of the Specialized Armadillos. They're big and heavy, like the gators, but I've pulled nails out of them and they kept holding air. There's also a lighter-weight folding bead version called the armadillo pro, which I'm given to understand is used as the go-to training tire for some pro teams. Those, too, I've pulled nails out of. And they don't weigh a ton.

Wheee! Look at meee! I can skiiiid!

In the meantime, I ride brakeless and I don't skid because skidding doesn't work (for stopping) as well as the other methods of stopping and it shortens the life of expensive tires.

I get about 2000 miles out of a rear tire, and I get a lot more out of front tires.

I started out with Panaracer Tserv's (a good tire), moved on to Specialized Armadillos, then to Gatorskins, then to 4 Seasons, then to Ultremos, and then back to 4 Seasons.

The Armadillos weigh the most, offer no additional flat protection, and may not handle and grip to everyone's taste.

The Panaracers weigh a lot, but they grip and handle beautifully.

Gatorskins weigh less than the above and handle and grip well enough, with good flat protection (never had a flat with Gatorskins but did have slow leaks).

The Ultremos never had a flat, handle EXQUISITELY, but get cut up easily.

I found myself changing my rear Ultremo too frequently because of the cuts and its appearance; whereas, on the front, the Ultremo goes forever and beautifully so.

The 4 Seasons have almost the lightness of the Ultremos, and almost the handling, with no flats and no cuts.

I go through two rear 4 Seasons tires for every front 4 Seasons tire.

I prefer the handling of the Ultremos by far, and I find the tread pattern on the 4 Seasons silly, but in the end, the 4 Seasons give me the best of everything for the money.

Continental 4 Seasons.

Sure you can!
You just need a steep descent, fast tailwind, and some really tall gears:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#hydroplaning

"specialized armadillo's are great for flat protection but ride like rocks"

Yes, great for protection. I have them on my bike and the ride is just fine, too, for me. Extra weight over a comparable tire without the 'dillo's flat protection is probably less than two ounces.

There's no reason to match the front and rear tire. I normally use a lightweight, supple, excellent handling race tire up the front and generally put something more durable in the rear. I've been using Michelin P3Rs up front for two years now and haven't had a single flat. But, I would never run one in the rear. I usually pair the front P3R with a Michelin Krylion in the rear, which is a more durable and long-wearing tire. There is no reason why you could not do the same with Continental or Schwalbe tires.

dillo's roll like **** and for many offer more flat protection than necessary. I can't remember my last flat, and I don't run tires that are anywhere near as thick or stiff as dillos.

For the record, I have used dillos in the past and have gotten flats with them.

To the guy who asked about Everwears: I've heard stories about them squaring out, and such so I'd take that with trepidation. I've run mine for about a year now, still running strong, and I do skid a lot. Been riding in the rain a lot, and bad showers, and I still feel like I have a good amount of grip for turns and such.

My friend managed to skid through his Randoneer in about 2 weeks, course he's riding clipless and skids... a lot. My roomate doesn't skid often, but rides quite a bit and his tire is still going strong

Yes, I rode with an Ultremo in front and a 4 Seasons in back for a month or so, and then the aesthetics just got too much for me.

I mean, look at an Ultremo and look at a 4 Seasons.

Either one, alone, looks great, but together, I don't think so.

Vain, eh?

So how do you stop on command? Not slowing down by resisting pedal stroke, but come to a complete stop?

Yeah a soma everwear will square off mighty fine, but it doesn't matter that much. My everwears been square for months and I haven't died

I don't generally look at my rear tire when I ride. However, you should consider using using two different models of the same brand tire, such as a Contintental Grand Prix 4000 in the front and a GP 4 Season in the rear. I use a Michelin P3R in the front and a Krylion Carbon in the rear....they aren't identical tires, but close enough to give the impression that they are made to go together.

By back-pedaling.

Think coordination instead of strength.

It took me four years of thinking about it and practicing it, with a front brake, before I could do it.

When my rear tire skids or skips, I see that as a loss of traction and a longer stopping distance.

=====

Yes, and I generally don't look at my own face when doing ANYTHING.

That said, I go ahead and trim my beard and hair anyway.

And I DO sometimes look at my bike; in fact, I look at all my bikes.

How would you back-pedal on a fixed-gear without first skidding? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the "loss of traction" with a "longer stopping distance" by means of "back pedaling" equate to a type of skidding anyhow?

How about a video? If this is a new way to stop I'm sure the forums, including myself, would very much enjoy seeing some new techniques on the fixed.

I think I can do some of what Ken said. I think he means putting reverse force to the pedals. You are gonna need to anticipate and plan ahead to stop though. And, remember Ken has quite some years of training under his belt, and he is running low GI, right? I am running low GI too; I can "back pedal" my way down some hills without skidding or using my front brake. But I do skid.

I use whatever tires I can get at discount. Recently white Zaffiro's. Weird thing is Pasela didn't turn out well for me. That pattern is keep picking up sharp objects causing flats from the road. Which is why I don't prefer em, but people at LBS recommend em as skidding tires. It's no biggie for me but anyone got the same prob?

Can we do a poll and get some actual numbers on Gatorskin v. Randonneur? Haha.

I perplexed as well. If you're back pedaling to a stop aren't you are still moving forward until you stop? What about emergency stops when you're feet are spinning fast?