Conti Gatorskin Hardshell?
Anyone sport these or have sported these? Opinions?

The shop sells a ton of them and I've test ridden many customers' bikes that use them and I think they're pretty awesome. They don't seem to be very grippy on wet surfaces, though. I've got a set of 25s sitting here waiting for when I need tires.

are those the continentals all the hipsters hype up?

Never used them, however their gp4000 is the best tire I've ever used. TPI is way up there over 300, handmade in germany, very good handling, low rolling resistance, and they last for about 3000 miles.

I rode a set of standard Gatorskins to over 3000 miles without a single flat. I love them. The GP4000's are also really nice just not the same amount of flat protection.

I was just wondering as I just saw this tire again today on the net and from its description on it seems to be a reinforced gatorskin with an extra layer of protection and thicker rubber thread. It seems to be more oriented toward commuters like me and I was thinking of ordering them for my commuter. But I'm pretty sure that extra protection would further increase rolling resistance.

Nope it's only reserved for the legit riders. There is no such thing as a hardshell gatorskin in hipster vocabulary.

Very curious about this aspect. If you end up getting them, let us know whats up.

Great tires, but they're not needed unless your into fast paced riding or racing, just due to the cost and quick wear. But if you can afford it then go for it

If I recall correctly, the biggest deal with the Gatorskin Hardshell is that they added extra sidewall protection, which is good since the old Gatorskins had the issue of the sidewalls tearing and getting cut very easily, and usually caused more flats than that from the tread.

^^Exactly why I stopped running Gatorskins. Loved the flat protection but, I'd get slices in the sidewalls and have to toss the tire. Happened a few times throughout the years. Maybe I'll give these new ones a try...

theyre not cheap.