gatorskin tires

2010-08-29 7:08 AM

New Haven, CT

Subject: gatorskin tires

i just put new continental gators skins on my bike. They were very hard to get on. I cannot imagine what changing a flat will be like out on the road. anyone else experience this? I assume they will loosen up a bit after a few rides.

2010-08-29 7:13 AM

in reply to: #3069544

Elite

4235

Spring, TX

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 7:08 AM i just put new continental gators skins on my bike. They were very hard to get on. I cannot imagine what changing a flat will be like out on the road. anyone else experience this? I assume they will loosen up a bit after a few rides.

I have no experience with them, but isn't the entire purpose of heavy thick tires like those that they're about impossible to flat with?

I've also heard that tires like those that are very difficult to get on/off are a little tougher when they're brand new and tend to stretch and become easier over time. Also, practice taking them on and off. Even if they're tough, you'll learn how to handle them in a short period of time. My trainer tire took me about 20 minutes the first time I tried putting it on. I switch it out about 3x per week and have got it down to about 5 minutes, versus my 2 minutes with a regular tire.

2010-08-29 7:15 AM

in reply to: #3069548

New Haven, CT

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:13 AM

I have no experience with them, but isn't the entire purpose of heavy thick tires like those that they're about impossible to flat with?

That is my hope (but you always flat eventually)... but the suckers broke a tire iron putting them on!

Edited by jsklarz 2010-08-29 7:18 AM

2010-08-29 7:18 AM

in reply to: #3069549

Elite

4235

Spring, TX

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 7:15 AM

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:13 AM

I have no experience with them, but isn't the entire purpose of heavy thick tires like those that they're about impossible to flat with?

That is my hope... but the suckers broke a tire iron putting them on!

Haha...that I can relate to. I've been through half a dozen with my trainer tire!

Maybe just pack 4-5 extra tire levers with you just in case! Or strap an extra wheel with the tire already mounted to your back....

2010-08-29 7:20 AM

in reply to: #3069552

New Haven, CT

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:18 AM

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 7:15 AM

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:13 AM

I have no experience with them, but isn't the entire purpose of heavy thick tires like those that they're about impossible to flat with?

That is my hope... but the suckers broke a tire iron putting them on!

Haha...that I can relate to. I've been through half a dozen with my trainer tire!

Maybe just pack 4-5 extra tire levers with you just in case! Or strap an extra wheel with the tire already mounted to your back....

LOL... reasons #204-206 why running is better than biking. no annoying equipment.

2010-08-29 7:25 AM

in reply to: #3069554

Elite

4235

Spring, TX

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 7:20 AM

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:18 AM

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 7:15 AM

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:13 AM

I have no experience with them, but isn't the entire purpose of heavy thick tires like those that they're about impossible to flat with?

That is my hope... but the suckers broke a tire iron putting them on!

Haha...that I can relate to. I've been through half a dozen with my trainer tire!

Maybe just pack 4-5 extra tire levers with you just in case! Or strap an extra wheel with the tire already mounted to your back....

LOL... reasons #204-206 why running is better than biking. no annoying equipment.

Yeah, but there's always a middle ground:

Don't have to worry about flats now! Just replace 12 shoes every 300miles...

2010-08-29 7:45 AM

in reply to: #3069556

New Haven, CT

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:25 AM

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 7:20 AM

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:18 AM

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 7:15 AM

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:13 AM

I have no experience with them, but isn't the entire purpose of heavy thick tires like those that they're about impossible to flat with?

That is my hope... but the suckers broke a tire iron putting them on!

Haha...that I can relate to. I've been through half a dozen with my trainer tire!

Maybe just pack 4-5 extra tire levers with you just in case! Or strap an extra wheel with the tire already mounted to your back....

LOL... reasons #204-206 why running is better than biking. no annoying equipment.

Yeah, but there's always a middle ground:

Don't have to worry about flats now! Just replace 12 shoes every 300miles...

too funny! of course its a fixie and the braking is a little uneven.

2010-08-29 7:59 AM

in reply to: #3069566

Elite

4235

Spring, TX

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 7:45 AM

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:25 AM

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 7:20 AM

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:18 AM

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 7:15 AM

AndrewMT - 2010-08-29 8:13 AM

I have no experience with them, but isn't the entire purpose of heavy thick tires like those that they're about impossible to flat with?

That is my hope... but the suckers broke a tire iron putting them on!

Haha...that I can relate to. I've been through half a dozen with my trainer tire!

Maybe just pack 4-5 extra tire levers with you just in case! Or strap an extra wheel with the tire already mounted to your back....

LOL... reasons #204-206 why running is better than biking. no annoying equipment.

Yeah, but there's always a middle ground:

Don't have to worry about flats now! Just replace 12 shoes every 300miles...

too funny! of course its a fixie and the braking is a little uneven.

Disc brakes!

Sorry, I didn't mean to sidetrack the thread.

Edited by AndrewMT 2010-08-29 8:00 AM

Oldred

2010-08-29 9:27 AM

in reply to: #3069544

Veteran

399

Puyallup, WA

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

jsklarz - 2010-08-29 5:08 AM i just put new continental gators skins on my bike. They were very hard to get on. I cannot imagine what changing a flat will be like out on the road. anyone else experience this? I assume they will loosen up a bit after a few rides.

I put gatorskins on both my bikes, since then I've had a couple flats but always where the stem and tube meet. Once while riding, the rest while filling. Last time that happened I tried putting the nut on the stem first (inside the wheel) then another outside. Seems to be working so far.

magic

2010-08-29 10:07 AM

in reply to: #3069544

Expert

1484

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

do you have folding or wire bead? I've found the folding ones easy enough to get on. I stay away from wire bead (non folding) tires to avoid install troubles.

FishrCutB8

2010-08-29 10:32 AM

in reply to: #3069544

Champion

6742

The Green Between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

I run Gators and have had no problems getting them on and off. I've had these on for quite a while, FWIW. Good tires and I've only had to fix two flats in three years...on PA roads, which is saying a lot.

Graycat

2010-08-29 10:46 AM

in reply to: #3069544

Extreme Veteran

490

London

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

I've got gatorskins on my roadie. done about 1100 miles on them now and they're still good. had a few flats over that time but nothing major and certainly a lot less than normal tyres.

They can be a bit of a tough one to get on and off. I've found that I've you've really gotta be careful you only grab one side of the tyre with the tyre iron or you'll span it (the iron not the tyre of course!).

I see it as a trade off between how often you have to change them v how easy they are to change.

Graycat

2010-08-29 10:48 AM

in reply to: #3069544

Extreme Veteran

490

London

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

oops double post.

Edited by Graycat 2010-08-29 10:49 AM

goobergirl98

2010-08-29 11:09 AM

in reply to: #3069544

Master

1695

STL

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

I love the tire...hate putting it on. In fact, I can't even get new one's on, my husband has to do it and even he struggles.

They do get a bit stretched out and I find that using the tire lever/tool is also very helpful.

Laffenguy

2010-08-29 12:08 PM

in reply to: #3069544

Veteran

295

Ft Campbell, Kentucky

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

I ride Gatorskins daily, in Baghdad.........really. The roads here are terrible.

The first time I put them on, yes they were hard to get on the rim, but after that, no probs, tight yes, but nothing like the first time.

As for flats, all of my flats have been from driver error, like not making the bunny hop over a hole, have not had a puncture flat yet!

Experior

2010-08-29 12:53 PM

in reply to: #3069544

Champion

7595

Columbia, South Carolina

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

I train with them. I did actually have to change a flat with them once, but in generally they are pretty bomb-proof. Out on the road, with the tires pretty warm (it was hot out), I found them much easier to get on and off the bike. I would hate to have to do it when they are cold. I do carry a set of fairly hefty metal tire irons with me for this reason. The plastic ones aren't really up to the job.

My Training Log My Race Log

kajinsky

2010-08-29 2:46 PM

in reply to: #3069544

New user

104

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

Strange coincidence on this thread. I had 2 flats yesterday with them and only had one co2 canister. Had to sidewalk ride with a flat for 7 miles home. Its not a high dollar wheel else I probably would have been on a long walk.

They do seem hard to get off/on but I think they are good tires. This is the 3rd set in a row that I have bought.

nickster

2010-08-29 3:13 PM

in reply to: #3069544

Expert

1183

Fort Wayne, IN

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

I used to ride on gatorskin tires. For the most part they were great. The one flat I had on the road was the coldest ride of 2009 at 18 degrees F after riding over sa broken bottle. Other than numb fingers changing the tire wasn't too bad.

phxphotog

2010-08-29 4:00 PM

in reply to: #3069544

Expert

937

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

I bought a rear gatorskin about a month ago and had a horrible time getting it on and the tube in it. I couldn't understand why it was so tight. I flatted on my first ride and figured that I had installed the tube wrong or it had gotten pinched. I took it to my LBS and they also had a hard time getting it off and actually punctured the tire with their metal tire levers. They were super nice and replaced it with a Specialized tire for free. I just don't see how they expect you to change a tire on the side of the road when it is that tight.

devildog87

2010-08-29 5:23 PM

in reply to: #3069544

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

I have about 500 miles on my gatorskins, and I love them. I unfortunately got a freak flat from something that bounced up and hit the tire near the rim, but it was a big piece of metal, I was going fast, and the hole was very small, it barely got through. The bike shop took care of me too. I have not tried putting them on though. They are my first tubulars, so i let the shop do it. They said they stretch them out for 24 hours before mounting them, which apparently makes it significantly easier.

Edited by devildog87 2010-08-29 5:24 PM

newbz

2010-08-29 7:04 PM

in reply to: #3070027

Champion

7233

Subject: RE: gatorskin tires

vitorria zaphino pro tires.

I've had the same set on here for roughly 14,000 miles. aout 4 flats total between the two wheels.

way easier to get on and off too.