Are Gatorskins Worth it

[XiperStarchild]

I've been meaning to get into road cycling for a while now and, now that I have my own road bicycle, I'm worried about getting flats. I haven't ridden it yet as I've had no time for that. But I've seen these set of tires online that everyone seems to praise due to their resistance to sharp objects such as thorns and broken glass.

How well do they work on the roads of South Africa? I ride a lot in the Waterkloof, Pretoria area, for reference.

[RudolphPretorius]

Absolutely belief in them. Pump them 8 bar and also have excellent rolling resistance!!

 

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[Eugene]

Everybody raves about them and they are good, but they are expensive.

 

I had a set a few years back and cannot say that they were any better at puncture protection than other brands that Ive had. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I seldom get punctures irrespective of the tyres that I've used

[DrRichard]

Have a set - in Cape Town - never punctured - but too am low on the life time puncture stats! Good all round tyre - I just swap out for big races

[BaGearA]

For protection and mileage yes 

 

For grip ; there are better tyres available 

 

 

Kinda like the crossmark for roadies....

[mecheng89]

Yip. For further puncture protection, put goo in the tubes. 

 

OR

 

You could do what a mate of mine has done - tube, 25mm tyre seated ON TOP of a 23mm, hence 2 tyres on one wheel! Rock hard ride, but if you're paranoid about punctures, that's the ultimate, other than those stupid solid tyres. 

[BaGearA]

Yip. For further puncture protection, put goo in the tubes. 

 

OR

 

You could do what a mate of mine has done - tube, 25mm tyre seated ON TOP of a 23mm, hence 2 tyres on one wheel! Rock hard ride, but if you're paranoid about punctures, that's the ultimate, other than those stupid solid tyres. 

Bliksem 

[BaGearA]

procore for roadies 

[Sepia]

Yip. For further puncture protection, put goo in the tubes. 

 

OR

 

You could do what a mate of mine has done - tube, 25mm tyre seated ON TOP of a 23mm, hence 2 tyres on one wheel! Rock hard ride, but if you're paranoid about punctures, that's the ultimate, other than those stupid solid tyres. 

This is how I roll.

(Cut the 23mm bead off and it fits perfectly with 25mm Gatoskins) Heavy though but I am a lone rider and I don't want punctures anymore.

 

I am considering doing this and going tubeless with TLR Giant Gavia 25mm.  Have the tyres and just need to convert on my CX bike. 

 

I think this will enable me to run at a lower pressure to soften the ride and the sealant may work better at a lower pressure?

Edited November 12, 2017 by Sepia

[eddy]

This is how I roll.

(Cut the 23mm bead off and it fits perfectly with 25mm Gatoskins) Heavy though but I am a lone rider and I don't want punctures anymore.

Just get Marathon Plus

[Sepia]

Just get Marathon Plus

Got them on my other set of wheels, running tubeless.  Fine touring tires indeed.