Gatorskin....A VERY GOOD TYRE

[Christine Tham]

Welcome to the other side, drubie (hugs)

[drubie]

Welcome to the other side, drubie (hugs)

Aw. You had me at hello!

[master6]

Sorry Drubie, I have tried the gatorskins and just cannot get them to perform in the manner you have described. The stubborn things just wont do anything to earn a bad marking.

[peter]

Are you guys/gals talking about the folding or the rigid version of the Gaterskin?

[Mulger bill]

Folders here Peter.

Shaun

[nickj_d]

I had rigid versions and thank god I only ever got 1 flat on them because they were an absolute b#$t@%d to get back onto my rims. I got stuck on the side of the road because i couldn't get the last bit over the rim. Was forced to use tyre levers, and yep - caused another flat in the process.

Changed to folding rubino pro's - no flats, and go straight back on the rim by hand.

[Nobody]

I had rigid versions and thank god I only ever got 1 flat on them because they were an absolute b#$t@%d to get back onto my rims. I got stuck on the side of the road because i couldn't get the last bit over the rim. Was forced to use tyre levers, and yep - caused another flat in the process.

Changed to folding rubino pro's - no flats, and go straight back on the rim by hand.

You should be posting this in the other thread. This is for people who think they are a good tyre.

[nickj_d]

Oops. My bad. I did mention that I only got one flat on them though

[master6]

Another 90km with the Dome Coffee (Hobart) group this morning, including some nasty material on recent road works. Several other riders on gatorskins too. All performed perfectly.

[Nobody]

I've never had a puncture with my Gators so far.

[master6]

I did the vets ride at Richmond (Tas) this morning. A wet road, and some minor road works, up and then down Brinktop Hill, all posed no problem for the Gatorskins.

[thomashouseman]

Got a puncture today in my non-gatorskin wheel. (one of each on my bike at the moment)

[master6]

Got a puncture today in my non-gatorskin wheel. (one of each on my bike at the moment)

Sorry, I did not hear you. Can you repeat that please?

[mikesbytes]

I did the vets ride at Richmond (Tas) this morning. A wet road, and some minor road works, up and then down Brinktop Hill, all posed no problem for the Gatorskins.

While I wouldn't race on them, I'm happy with the wet weather grip of the gatorskin's.

[master6]

I did the vets ride at Richmond (Tas) this morning. A wet road, and some minor road works, up and then down Brinktop Hill, all posed no problem for the Gatorskins.

While I wouldn't race on them, I'm happy with the wet weather grip of the gatorskin's.

I agree, I use pro3's or gp4000's for racing. I bought my first pair of pro3 lites for the Grafton, but would not dream of training on them.
As a training tyre, the gatorskin is perfect for me.

[mikesbytes]

I ran GP4000s Chilli in the Grafton. I was going to run latex tubes but I blew one pumping my tyres up.

With the Gatorskins, I issue in th4e worst tyre evah is that once they have punctured, the carcass has sharp edges that cause other flats. I have gatorskins on my fixie, but I'm also using tyre liners

[eucryphia]

A very good tyre.

As master6 says, pick the glass out regularly because wet roads seem to mobilise any glass stuck in between the rubber and Kevlar belting.

Mine are pretty old now, must be a glass slit every 5mm, maybe that's why I get good grip?

[ZepinAtor]

All his talk about picking glass & rocks from your tyre regularly ? Does anybody "sweep" their tyre after running through a gravelly shoulder or a p#isspots late night bottle throwing competition ? Gator's are good here in glassvile Brisveagus. No punctures for at least the last 2 years, but I am a fanatical tyre sweeper. Front then rear immediately after running through the offending crap.

[Comedian]

All his talk about picking glass & rocks from your tyre regularly ? Does anybody "sweep" their tyre after running through a gravelly shoulder or a p#isspots late night bottle throwing competition ? Gator's are good here in glassvile Brisveagus. No punctures for at least the last 2 years, but I am a fanatical tyre sweeper. Front then rear immediately after running through the offending crap.

I've read about people doing a weekly check and never bothered. However yesterday I had a good look at the front tyre of my bike and it had two or three little shards of glass trying to work their way through It will now be a weekly thing for me to do.

Interestingly there were none in the back tyre which is normally more prone to them. The Michelin Pro Optimums I have have differing compounds front to back, with the back having more protection, and the front a softer grippier compound. Looks like it's the front I'll have to watch.

[Mulger bill]

Last time I tried sweeping me tyres I dropped the broom

I have a look at me Gators whenever I give the bike a service.

[ZepinAtor]

Last time I tried sweeping me tyres I dropped the broom

I have a look at me Gators whenever I give the bike a service.

I know you're taking the p#ss, but some out there may not have tried or even herd of sweeping their tyres on the run. Basically for the noobs you run the palm of your hand/ finger tips or glove (fingers for me) over the top of the tyre after running over glass or sharp rocks/ road debris on corners. Beware of the rear tyre as you reach down between the seat tube as your hand can get pulled down wedging it & locking up the rear tyre. Only did that once & fell over due to having hand stuck behind in frame. Not good! You do get a very dirty hand so black knicks are good to wipe off the road grime. On occasions I've received a few small cuts from sweeping out glass, but I'd prefer the blood loss than a flat.

[master6]

Zep, have you seen the old style tyre sweeper from the 60's; a 'wire' bracket that reached accross the brakes, suspending a fine chain, something like bracelet chain, and it just constantly tickled the tyre surface to upset any unwanted passengers about to settle into the tread. Some people tried electrical tape, however I could not see the point in that as very very few tyres run perfectly true, resulting in the tape only touching the high points.
Remember Barry Waddell, famous for winning 5 sun tours , and not puncturing in ANY of them. Apparently he had an uncanny ability to see small items on the road surface. Possibly some good luck too I guess, however we should not overlook our own ability to turn the odds in our favour. Not riding in the roadside apron is one way to minimise punctures. (I know you have to balance safety with this one)

[Quinns Rocks Roadie]

Eric.

[drubie]

Now there's LOTS of things that are good about taters according to this thread:

- forces you to develop eagle eyesight to see glass on the road!
- makes you acquire MacGuyver type skills to make tyre sweepers
- adds to your cycling skills by teaching you the essentials of having to hand sweep tyres on the move
- lets you practice your tyre changes... A LOT.

Those of us running inferior tyres never have to learn all this stuff - boy it sucks to be us.

I can now understand why the tater is so cool!

[Nobody]

Now there's LOTS of things that are good about taters according to this thread:

- forces you to develop eagle eyesight to see glass on the road!
- makes you acquire MacGuyver type skills to make tyre sweepers
- adds to your cycling skills by teaching you the essentials of having to hand sweep tyres on the move
- lets you practice your tyre changes... A LOT.

Those of us running inferior tyres never have to learn all this stuff - boy it sucks to be us.

I can now understand why the tater is so cool!

Bored over there on your Tater thread?