Gatorskin....A VERY GOOD TYRE

[Kenzo]

I put Gators on my commuter (on-one ilPomp - singlecross) and used them for a year (15km each way) with no problems at all - until I decided to hit a long section of bluestone gravel.
The sharp gravel manage to put a few small slices into the crosshatched sidewall fibres which had them frayed.
I still continue to use that front tyre today. It's been moved to the back.
Bought some for the new commuter too.
Then I bought another new carbon number - waiting for the Michelins to wear down before the Gators go on that bike too.

The only real thing stopping me fitting them now is the Yellow lettering clashes with the colour scheme of the new bike...

If you don't get where I stand/ride on this, I loves me gators.

[Mulger bill]

From the Black Cat thread...

+1 for me makes it eight.

Now for the good bit. Got off the train and walked to work with bike (spare tubes in locker). Smoko and I go the fix, couldn't find any penetration so I decide it's time to pick the cuts. Reckon I got about 20 glass chips out. One almost ricegrain in size.

I LOVES ME GATORS, only the second flat since new

[mikesbytes]

Are the cross hatch fibers functional or cosmetic?

[Mulger bill]

S'posed to be an extra layer of protection against cuts Mike, IIRC it runs all the way around the carcase. Makes it hard to read the sidewall markings tho'.

Some of the threads on mine are frayed but the sidewalls look fine otherwise.

[wagr1213]

Um I just had a Gatorhardshell replaced by the rep for the side wall threads fraying and coming away from the tyre.

This tyre was on the rear and I estimate that I had done about 3400km on it since september. No Punctures were had during that time and certainly there had been the occassionally patch of glass etc on rides.
I considered that there had not been enough life given from the tyre hence my discussion with my LBS which led to the rep replacing the tyre.

How long should one of these tyres Last? what sort of Kms should you get?

Otherwise I have been happy with the gators and have them fornt and rear.

[Mulger bill]

I don't do the maths so I can't give you a number. I'd hazard a guess at around 2.8+ tho'.

I've had two flats, numerous cuts and picked prolly a kilo of glass shards out of mine. Still going strong.

[Fred Nurk]

I've discovered that its not such a good idea to use one as a rear tyre, last one I managed to stretch to 3000kms with a big gash in the centre of the tread, one before that was barely 500kms with a large sidewall cut. Front tyres, however...

I was about to post your badge Fred; dont worry, put one of the well trained gators from the front onto the back, and ,man, you will be a "brother".

Well, its another 1000kms with no puncture, gets me to 6000kms for the front Gatorskin so far.

However, I'm still keeping the Panaracer RiBMo for a rear tyre.

[Destroid]

I think mine are coming to the end of their life after 15-20,000km, lot of fraying on the sidewall now. They didn't puncture much but I won't miss changing them

[thomashouseman]

Can anyone find these avail. in 27 x 1 1/4? I got them from ribble about a year ago but haven't been able to source them since.

Thanks,

T.

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk

[Nobody]

Can anyone find these avail. in 27 x 1 1/4? I got them from ribble about a year ago but haven't been able to source them since.

Thanks,

T.

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/continental- ... prod10432/

[thomashouseman]

Can anyone find these avail. in 27 x 1 1/4? I got them from ribble about a year ago but haven't been able to source them since.

Thanks,

T.

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/continental- ... prod10432/

Thanks!

Back in stock at Ribble too: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... ONTTYRR250

[master6]

I fitted two new Gatorskins in the second week of October 2010, and have not had one puncture since that time.

Very happy with my Gators

sshhhh. Confidentialy, two flats in the gator today. Dont tell Drubie please! I hit a big hole and was on the rear rim 100 metres later. Rim Ok, tyre looked OK. Fitted spare tube. 10 km later, on rear rim again. This time I minutely checked rim, rim tape, and tyre. All look perfect. Fitted second spare tube Reckon I have been caught out by the oldest puncture trap in the book. I have not punctured since October 2010, and I reckon my first spare tube has suffered some slight rubbing in the spares bag, even though I carry two spare tubes inside an old sock to try to avoid this problem.
Still very happy with the gators for training.

[PB12IN]

I like mine (although they are the only tyres i have had on my roadie) 2 flats in about 1000 km, no damage to the tyre on either occasion first was a pinch flat on the rear as i went up a kerb to avoid someone who thought it was fun to try let me use their car as a brake. And the next day I hit a rock and blew the side out on the front tube. In both cases the tyre was fine. But i have developed a cut across the face of the front tyre but it seems to not be a problem, I have done a few hundred kms on it since I noticed the cut.

[Mulger bill]

I like mine (although they are the only tyres i have had on my roadie) 2 flats in about 1000 km, no damage to the tyre on either occasion first was a pinch flat on the rear as i went up a kerb to avoid someone who thought it was fun to try let me use their car as a brake. And the next day I hit a rock and blew the side out on the front tube. In both cases the tyre was fine. But i have developed a cut across the face of the front tyre but it seems to not be a problem, I have done a few hundred kms on it since I noticed the cut.

If I may humbly suggest...

If you are going to keep riding that slashed tyre, swap it to the back if it isn't too badly squared off. Better a rear blowout than a front. (None is better again )

[Nobody]

If I may humbly suggest...

If you are going to keep riding that slashed tyre, swap it to the back if it isn't too badly squared off. Better a rear blowout than a front. (None is better again )

Yeah, early retirement is a safe and often a wise choice for a bike.

[PB12IN]

If I may humbly suggest...

If you are going to keep riding that slashed tyre, swap it to the back if it isn't too badly squared off. Better a rear blowout than a front. (None is better again )

sugestion noted, I hadn't really thought of that, but yeh i'll do that today. Thanks.

[gretaboy]

I am running gatorskins on front and rear on my roadie and have had 3 flats within 1000k's. Last one was just last week and I dont think anything could have saved me going by the "feel" of the rock as my tyre went over it..put a nice big gash in the tyre. It was very foggy and my sunnies were misting up so I missed seeing it.

However, in saying this, the crap that I have to ride on on my commute to work is amazing. Country roads which are rough, debris from trucks and cars and it seems half the gravel that gets carted around or should I say dropped onto the roads. My eyes are constantly looking just in front of the bike as I am constantly trying to dodge all the crap.

Amazing how many bolts, straps, nuts that vehicles lose..let alone the amount of bottles people love to throw out their windows and have smash on the side of the road.

I am always amazed to hear other riders say they get 5-10 000 k's without a puncture..I wish

[Fred Nurk]

I've discovered that its not such a good idea to use one as a rear tyre, last one I managed to stretch to 3000kms with a big gash in the centre of the tread, one before that was barely 500kms with a large sidewall cut. Front tyres, however...

I was about to post your badge Fred; dont worry, put one of the well trained gators from the front onto the back, and ,man, you will be a "brother".

Well, its another 1000kms with no puncture, gets me to 6000kms for the front Gatorskin so far.

However, I'm still keeping the Panaracer RiBMo for a rear tyre.

There goes another 1000kms for the Gatorskin on the front, taking it to 7000kms, and another 1000kms with no punctures.

I'm considering tempting fate and putting it on the rear, my Panaracer RiBMo is looking a bit worn after 4000kms. I've also got a brand new Gatorskin for the front...

[timmcc]

Conti's are the bomb!!

German engineering at its best!!

[master6]

Conti's are the bomb!!

German engineering at its best!!

Agree


Are you the Boom Booom Boooom girl?

[gretaboy]

I have to take back what I said about them...my rear gatorskin is getting binned tonite...less than 2000k's on it

got some knicks in it and they are opening up wider than a porn star....last two rides..3 flats and each one at the knick point....it is useless..

am at the point of seriously thinking about stopping commuting to work on the bike

[mikesbytes]

I have to take back what I said about them...my rear gatorskin is getting binned tonite...less than 2000k's on it

got some knicks in it and they are opening up wider than a porn star....last two rides..3 flats and each one at the knick point....it is useless..

am at the point of seriously thinking about stopping commuting to work on the bike

Put a patch on the inside of the tyre

[Kenzo]

I have to take back what I said about them...my rear gatorskin is getting binned tonite...less than 2000k's on it

got some knicks in it and they are opening up wider than a porn star....last two rides..3 flats and each one at the knick point....it is useless..

am at the point of seriously thinking about stopping commuting to work on the bike

Put a patch on the inside of the tyre

and fill the tyre nick with a small blob of 'shoo goo'.

[master6]

I have to take back what I said about them...my rear gatorskin is getting binned tonite...less than 2000k's on it

got some knicks in it and they are opening up wider than a porn star....last two rides..3 flats and each one at the knick point....it is useless..

am at the point of seriously thinking about stopping commuting to work on the bike

Have you considered an appointment with an optician. Medicare will pay

[gretaboy]

I have to take back what I said about them...my rear gatorskin is getting binned tonite...less than 2000k's on it

got some knicks in it and they are opening up wider than a porn star....last two rides..3 flats and each one at the knick point....it is useless..

am at the point of seriously thinking about stopping commuting to work on the bike

Have you considered an appointment with an optician. Medicare will pay

I think if I got a shovel and scraped up all the rock crap on my route and made it into a mound I would create a cat 4-5 hill for myself to climb. My eyes are constantly focused on whats on the pavement and if I actually stopped dodging, or trying to dodge the crap, I most probably could reduce my total distance by a k or two

Oh, cant forget to mention the esky lids, tie down strap buckles, chunks of wood, soldering masks, metal signs, gumboots and untold bolts that must be dodged too. Amazing what people dont tie down on their utes and trucks.