Continental Gatorskin Wire Bead Tire
Available in a range of sizes to fit your needs, this Gatorskin Tire delivers superior puncture protection so nothing gets in the way of your cycling adventures.
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- Poly-X Breaker puncture protection and DuraSkin sidewall protection deliver excellent resistance to thorns, glass shards and other road debris
- 180 tpi casing is supple for great road feel
- Wire bead
- Note: Tire images shown may not reflect size/color/material options available on this page
Imported.
View the Continental Gatorskin Product LineView all Continental Road Bike Tires| Best Use | Road Cycling |
|---|---|
| Wheel Size | 700C x 23 MM: 700c 700C x 25 MM: 700c 700C x 28 MM: 700c 700C x 32 MM: 700c 27 IN x 1.25 IN: 27 inches |
| Tire Width | 700C x 23 MM: 23 millimeters 700C x 25 MM: 25 millimeters 700C x 28 MM: 28 millimeters 700C x 32 MM: 32 millimeters 27 IN x 1.25 IN: 1.25 inches |
| Bead Type | Wire |
| Thread Count Casing (tpi) | 180 threads per inch |
| Tread Type | Slick Tread |
| Recommended Pressure (psi) | 700C x 23 MM: 110 - 120 pounds per square inch 700C x 25 MM: 95 - 120 pounds per square inch 700C x 28 MM: 95 - 116 pounds per square inch 700C x 32 MM: 85 - 102 pounds per square inch 27 IN x 1.25 IN: 102 pounds per square inch |
| Weight | 700C x 23 MM: 290 grams 700C x 25 MM: 310 grams 700C x 28 MM: 360 grams 700C x 32 MM: 420 grams 27 IN x 1.25 IN: 340 grams |
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Very durable, good grip
The folks who are having problems with flats on these tires have to be having other issues with this tire. I know many riders who use this tire without issues (save for the occasional determined goatheads or grand canyon cracks). I think the problem is mounting the tire on the rim. It is very difficult with the wire bead and can lead to pinch flats or simply tearing the tube. I know because I have been there. It wasn't the fault of the durability of the tire, just that it is a really tight fit on the rim. Once I got it on, I didn't have to remove it for a thousand miles. My bike has this tire and the foldable version and I couldn't tell a difference in handling. The foldable version seems easier to mount though.
GatorSkins for Ironman Master
I recently pulled my 1989 Centurion Ironman Master out of mothballs. Bought a Surly Disc Trucker to rejuvenate my passion for riding Old Matrix CDK4's were 25 years old. I went up from 700x23 to 700x25. Grabbed a pair of these initially for use on trainer. Big mistake!! First ride was 15 miles can't stop myself now great feel and traction. Look good too
4000 miles on my Gatorskkns
I ride just about every day, and at least 10 miles per day. Over the last year, I have put 4000 miles on a single set of 700 x 28mm Wire Bead Gatorskins. The tread is beginning to look flat and the sidewalls are beginning to shead threads. I have not had a single flat tire the entire time these tires have been on. The other thing I love about them is that they hold air longer than any tire I have used before. I usually check the pressure on my 3-4th ride each week. Honestly, I know I could probably get another 200-300 miles out of them, but decided to put a new set on,
No flats
I have about 1,300 miles on my current set of Gatorskins, and not a single flat. The roads in my city are awful too. To the other reviewer who gave one star because of recurring flats, I can only say it's certainly NOT the tire. That many flats are due to either a faulty wheel or under-inflation causing a pinch flat.
Bullet-proof!!
Ok, maybe not. But close enough! I'd run Gatorskins for the 3-4 years a while back without a single flat. Not one. After too many miles to count, one of the tires wore out and the shop I happened upon didn't carry them, so I went with Bontragers. I went on to pick up 2-3 flats in 3 years. Finally, one of them lost its bead and the other suffered a tread separation (Granted, over x,000 miles). Needless to say, I went out of my way this time to get my Gatorskins back, and so far they're just as I remember. I should also mention that in Portland, wet is the rule not the exception. Don't let the slicks scare you off! They perform admirably in the rain. The only dings I'd give them is that you pay a small price in weight and rolling resistance. Do note that there are different versions of these tires, the burliest being the Gatorskin Hardshell, which has a protective layer that extends further laterally to protect the sidewall. REI doesn't seem to carry them. Bottom line: If you commute or train on rough roads and you DON'T want to spend your valuable time mending a flat on the side of the road, pick up a pair of Gatorskins. Set it and forget it.
I hardly ever write reviews, but...
I hardly ever write reviews, but in this case I want to give credit where credit is due. I started biking to/from work regularly 11 months ago. Just short of 8 miles one way in an mostly urban environment. After 1,282 miles (and counting) I have yet to have a single flat with these tires. I could not have asked for better performance than this.
Great in Guatemala!
Have used these in the 25mm width for several years on two road bikes in Guatemala, mostly in the Antigua area but also between there and the Pacific, and along the Pacific Coast. They have worked great, maybe one puncture, as I recall from picking up a metal scrap when we went past a auto body shop on the street down the hill. Mostly on paved roads, often rough, debris in some areas. Antigua has cobblestone streets which are not fun to ride on with narrow tires but tires held up fine. They also work well on dirt roads as long as the dirt is firmly packed; when it gets softer the tires sink into the dirt and you swerve and fall down. Far far superior to the Kendas we were using before, which sometimes were not round so you bounced.
REI's 700 x 32mm information is incorrect
REI says max pressure is 110-120psi; tire sidewall says 94psi. REI says tire weight is 290g; actual weight is 420g
I plan to buy another set
I have 3,000+ miles on my gatorskins without a flat, riding bikeways, urban streets, bumpy roads and some crushed stone and dirt trails. The tires are still going strong. I am running Conti ultralight tubes. I used to get flat or two per thousand miles. They are great in the rain.
Super Tight Bead
These tires handle and stick well and they're relatively puncture-resistant. However -- The beads are so friggin' tight they're a pain to remove and install. I dread getting a flat out on the road or even in my garage. It takes three hands to keep the levers in place while I coax the tire off of the wheel, then put it back on. It easily takes twice as long compared to other tires I've used. The puncture-resistance is may be worth the hassle for long rides.