In the category of Best Tyres

I don't love gatorskins but the ones I had seem to last. I average around 70 miles a week (some weeks 100+ others only 40). I dont really ride in the rain and only had one puncture. The last tyre I had one the rear lasted around 4months with moderate skidding which in my opinion is pretty good. I've also ridden with armidillo's (folding), had one puncture and wore through in a month.

I know the Gatorskin isn't the grippest in the wet (I mainly cycle in the dry, there are no showers at work) or the best for rolling resistance but the ones I have had did last.

I haven't had them slip out either. But would probably recomend having a better tyre on the front

Same tyres for 2 years.. wow what great mileage you must do badtmy.
Sorry but that's a fail right there runner boy. Come back to me when you're doing more than 5mi a week. :P

so sue me, i'm clever enough to live relatively near work. if you lost some weight you'd wear through less rubber :P

Just in case this isn't clear, Gatorskins are total shit.

The level of grip they offer in the wet can be re-created on your own tyres by coating them in a thin layer of soap.
They are certainly not the grippiest tyre in the wet; wet grip is however generally a tradeoff with durability and puncture protection.

If you want something that is far far worse in the wet try Armadillos- far more slippery. Virtually puncture proof though on the flip side. I find Gatorskins to offer a better compromise, they flat more than Armadillos but less than a grippier race tyre.

If wet grip (or indeed ride quality in general) is your top priority though, Gatorskins are indeed a shit choice.

so sue me, i'm clever enough to live relatively near work. if you lost some weight you'd wear through less rubber :P

If I lost weight I might be as slow as you on a bike and since I have much further to travel.. well.. no thanks.

I made the mistake of buying a Gatorskin for the front of my daily bike, I've had some pretty hairy front wheel skids in the wet. proper heart stoppers. I will not be buying them again.

Bontrager Hard Case. I love them. Cheap too. Supposed to be crap in the wet but I've never had any problems.

If I lost weight I might be as slow as you on a bike and since I have much further to travel.. well.. no thanks.

how does that make sense? Are you suggesting your weight is all muscle?

Yes. Muscle and cock. Mostly cock with some muscle.

For all the gator- hators out there, I've got to give my 2p:
used them solid for 2 years (ok, one went after 18 months) and they've done me proud. About 11,000 miles on the one I currently have as on the rear of my Fuji Track. OK, it's wearing through in places but it didn't suffer instant gashes at the sight of glass like the Vittoria tyres I have used for about 500 miles over the same period and the Vittorias are slippery-as-soap-in-the-bath when wet and riding on the rims is more comfortable.
Conti's grip like shit to a blanket copared to others I've tried.

That's why I'm currently running:

1. F:GP4000s(23mm) R:Gatorskin(25mm)
   
2. F:GP4000s(23mm) R:GP400s(23mm)
   
3. F:Gatorskin(28mm) R Gatorskin(28mm)
   
   

I've binned all other tyres.
Ha!

I put a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700c x 25 on my commuter and used them for the first time this morning (previously used Gatorskins) and found that the puncture resistant layer makes them feel quite "squishy" (didn't Hewitt call Di this?) and the compound didn't feel anywhere near as grippy in the wet as G/skins - anyone else had any experience??

Yeah, they're not the best handling but they're very durable. I run them on the rear only of my winter bike now for this reason. They've done loads of miles now commuting and weekend Chiltern ventures.

Cheers Hippy, just they felt really odd even with 120psi in them. They do look bomb proof.

after many failed choices.. i'm sticking with

fixed gear bike - vittoria radonneur
road bike - GP4000s (23mm)

Can't believe gatorskins won this...

Durano for road
Diamanté pro for track

Vredestein for the rich

I always used to run Vredsteins, but I went to gatorskins and never looked back.

Recently though, I bought a set of Vredsteins for my geared bike.

My, how the quality has dropped! Within weeks the dual compound was cracking, leaving huge gaps to catch gravel and glass. Not impressed. Gatorskins all the way!

i cant wait for summer so i can go back to michelin pro race3's

Jaygee was just saying that the other day.

Same choice of tyre?

I love them for handling, comfort, rolling resistance etc, they are not bad for punctures until they have done a fair distance. But there comes a crunch point of use and wet weather and they just puncture continually.

i cant wait for summer so i can go back to michelin pro race3's

Hmm...

Might give them a go.

I always used to run Vredsteins, but I went to gatorskins and never looked back.

Recently though, I bought a set of Vredsteins for my geared bike.

My, how the quality has dropped! Within weeks the dual compound was cracking, leaving huge gaps to catch gravel and glass. Not impressed. Gatorskins all the way!

Hmm, I just ordered one of what is meant to be two Vred's for my road bike.

I had heard they aren't made in Holland any more.

How do you rate gatorskins for other stuff - handling, rolling resistance etc? And which Vred's? Fortezza Tricomps?

I'm a Conti sceptic.

They now do different sizes, am thinking 25mm on rear 23mm on front for the constant downhill effect, it works with lo pros.

I always used to run Vredsteins, but I went to gatorskins and never looked back.

Recently though, I bought a set of Vredsteins for my geared bike.

My, how the quality has dropped! Within weeks the dual compound was cracking, leaving huge gaps to catch gravel and glass. Not impressed. Gatorskins all the way!

Bad batch? Where did you get them from? I've not had the same problem yet with a pair bought about 6 months ago, and fitted just after Xmas. I switched an old pair onto my fast geared bike to replace some aged Rubino Pros, and at the same pressures, was instantly reminded how much more lively the ride quality is.

#hopetheyweren'tpinkones

A bad batch seems like a potential explanation.

Also gremlins shouldn't be ruled out. Where do you keep the bike at night? They might be feeding on your tyres.

You should turn on all the lights, check all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, 'cause you never can tell...