Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a good alternative to the Continental Gatorskin Hardshell?

I am (slowly) riding my bike around the world, doing another section every year or so. I used Schwalbe Marathons on the Alaska Highway, but they always felt slow. I switched to Continental Gatorskins in Montana and have been very pleased. Very few flats, great longevity and I like the way they ride. Through South America and Africa I continued to use the Gatorskin 700x32, but also carried a pair of 700x45 gravel tires for extended periods on dirt roads, which were quite common in the Andes and Africa.

This fall I plan to ride the Middle East and will mostly be on road. I'd like to only bring one pair of tires. It'll be 2500 miles, so one pair should last. But there will be some dirt roads, so I'd like to go wider than 700x32. Unfortunately they don't make Gatorskins any wider than 32.

Any recommedations for a tire with the following criteria?

Between 700x35 and 38
Road tread
Great flat protection, longevity, low rolling resistance (the Holy Grail!)
Tubeless could be good, but not neccesary

Thanks!

Pat

Hi, I've been using Continental Contact Urban https://conti-tyres.co.uk/commuting-.../contact-urban which they rate at 6/7 "protection level" and they roll really well. However I've not been using them for the period of time and distance so long. They score highly at https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...-contact-urban and are low rolling-resistance. I suppose they'd be comparable in quality to Gatorskins being by the same company. But perhaps someone else can chip-in with longer-term experience, as I've only had mine for a few months.

Continental claim on their product page: "

• The jack of all trades tyre from fast commuting to a trusted companion on the long globetrotting tour "

I went from 28 & 32 Gator Hardshells to Continental Contacts 35-700c. A great cheaper alternative, but on my upcoming trip to Japan I’ll put Continental Top Contact II tires on.

Are you aware of this website? This might give you some ideas.
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews

I personally like the plain Schwalbe Marathon (with Greenguard), I have not felt that they were slow. If the Marathons that you tried were the Plus version, that is a different tire.

I also like the Schwalbe Mondial, it comes in two versions, the more expensive version should have less rolling resistance. I used the cheaper version in 37mm and it was good enough for my needs.

But asking what tire people like is like asking what chain lube to get. You will be flooded with suggestions.

You mention tubeless, do you have tubeless rims?

Pirelli Cinturato Velos in 35mm are a cracking tyre. They roll well, have excellent puncture protection, and last for ages.
Oh, and they are easy to fit and tubeless ready if that's your thing.
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/cx-gravel-reviews/pirelli-cinturato-velo-35

I also use the Continental Contact Urbans. Only for home area riding though. They have thinner rubber than typical touring tires and will wear out faster.

It should be noted for those who don't know the English from across the pond cracking in this case is a good thing meaning excellent. Not cracking as in the rubber is drying out.

I have been running the Cinturato Gravel Hs for a while on an electric bike and I got a screw that went through the tire and no flat the tread got pushed in but the tire still worked fine but I wanted to go tubeless on that bike so I swapped to brand new tires and have the old ones for back up (I repaired the old tire with a little shoe goo just for fun) I find they are comfortable, do the job well and look nice. I wanted a good gravel tire that was mostly going to be on road at that moment and they delivered. Plus I think they look quite fetching. Riding up and down the bike lane which is frequently covered in stuff I didn't get very many punctures just two that killed the tube and one at the front that held that screw and with the screw removed would have kept going (and did for a few rides before I said tubeless time) Plus mine has the "classic" sidewall which is a tan wall which is my favorite flavor or tires on bikes

This is great. Thanks for the suggestion and the link to the website. I'll go down that rabbit hole tonight, comparing the rolling resistance of different tires.

And yes, I do have tubeless DT Swiss rims. I've used them often on dirt road tours with good success.

This is very helpful information. Thanks for letting me know

Thanks for the help, everyone. I'll take a look at the Cinturatos and the Continental Contacts

Timi, I'm looking forward to the 2026 section of my ride... Europe and Scandavia. I've heard good things about touring in Sweden and the fact that you can legally camp most anywhere for a night.

Yes, it’s legal to camp basically anywhere that isn’t private, an urban area or a nature reserve
Nobody bats an eyelid seeing a tent in the forest, by a lake, or by the beach.

Here’s some more info about ”Allemansrätten” The right of public access.