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2013-07-31 12:30 PM

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Subject: Racing Gatorskins
Doing my first 1/2 IM. Found other triathletes that have used gatorskin tires and loved them. Has anyone ever used these during a race? If so, how much do you think they've affected your time?


2013-07-31 12:47 PM
in reply to: 0

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Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Racing Gatorskins
a couple of minutes to the - compared to something like a 4000s. The rolling resistance is pretty bad.

From the internets

gatorskin + Butyl tube - 0.0058
gp4000s + Latex tube - 0.00307

reduction of .001 is worth about a minute per hour depending on how fast you are.

Edited by Leegoocrap 2013-07-31 12:59 PM
2013-07-31 12:52 PM
in reply to: Atomak

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Subject: RE: Racing Gatorskins
My daughter did her first IM last year and I put Gatorskins on her bike.  She has a lot of trouble fixing flats so I tried to make it as bulletproof as possible for her.  She is a MOP rider (7:15 bike split).  It may have cost her a few minutes but the mental piece of mind was well worth it.  
2013-07-31 2:11 PM
in reply to: popsracer

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Subject: RE: Racing Gatorskins
I used them for my HIM and the peace of mind was worth time lost, if any. But my wife started riding so I put the gatorskins on her bike and got the GP 4000s for mine. I can't tell one bit of difference as far as time. If you are worried about losing time just ride a little harder I am doing a Full later this year and I may put the gatorskins back on my bike.
2013-07-31 7:38 PM
in reply to: iruptacopula

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Subject: RE: Racing Gatorskins
I've raced in all my sprints this year in gator skins. I was talking with the owner of my LBS and asked about the 4000s he said it wouldn't make that much of a difference over an hour time maximum a minute. So if a couple of minutes ( depending on length of course) is important then maybe the the 4000s is the tire. I will try the 4000s when I find a good deal and see for myself if there is a huge difference
2013-07-31 8:01 PM
in reply to: Atomak

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Subject: RE: Racing Gatorskins
I have had so many flats I only ride on Gatorskins.

I look at it this way: Sure they have a higher rolling resistance than some other tire but when they don't get a flat they are WAY faster.

-Mark


2013-08-01 9:33 PM
in reply to: 1Dude


8

Subject: RE: Racing Gatorskins
Originally posted by 1Dude

I have had so many flats I only ride on Gatorskins.

I look at it this way: Sure they have a higher rolling resistance than some other tire but when they don't get a flat they are WAY faster.

-Mark



Minus the history of flats, what he said and along with another commenting about just ride a little harder. Now granite I haven't done any tri events yet, but I do ride on some rough roads in west texas, and I have never(knock on wood, and now that I said that, the next time out i'm sure it will happen, guess I'll let you know tomorrow) had a issue, I've even ridden over broken beer bottle a few times. Well worth the piece of mind to me.
2013-08-02 7:40 AM
in reply to: iruptacopula

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Subject: RE: Racing Gatorskins
Originally posted by iruptacopula

If you are worried about losing time just ride a little harder


And enjoy that awesome run split you have afterwards
2013-08-02 7:48 AM
in reply to: Leegoocrap

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Subject: RE: Racing Gatorskins
Originally posted by Leegoocrap

a couple of minutes to the - compared to something like a 4000s. The rolling resistance is pretty bad.

From the internets

gatorskin + Butyl tube - 0.0058
gp4000s + Latex tube - 0.00307

reduction of .001 is worth about a minute per hour depending on how fast you are.


Or, another way to estimate is that a 0.0005 reduction in Crr is worth about 0.5s/km so in the difference is about 2.5s/km or about 4 minutes over a half ironman. Generally a little more for slower riders and a little less for faster riders.

Shane
2013-08-02 8:33 AM
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Subject: RE: Racing Gatorskins
OP---others here have posted great and correct math. I was never very good at math.
I race and train on the same wheels(Hed3 and Zipp 900disc) and tires (Gator Hardshells) all year. I put on a new pair of Conti Gator Hardshells 1week before my A race each year. I pump em up to 120 before each ride and wipe em down after each ride. DONE
Hope this helps

Edited by spearit 2013-08-02 8:36 AM
2013-08-02 11:56 AM
in reply to: spearit

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Subject: RE: Racing Gatorskins

Just had this conversation with a friend who is a LBS owner. I was looking at switching to 4000s for my HIM and after looking at the cost $140+/- for 4000s and tubes I think the time penality of 5-10 min is not "worth" it.

I have had very, VERY good results with the Gatorskins and pretty sure a flat would cost me 5-10 min anyway so.... 

Guess I will find something else to spend that $140 on to help Aero Helmet??? Rear bottle holder?



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