User submitted reviews
Review by Anonymous
I've used these tire on several Centuries, the MS 150, and up the Aufterheid...fast and no flats! What more could a girl want? I'm ordering another set for my commuter bike.
Review by Bill W.
I was getting close to daily flats with regular tires so went looking for something better. Read reviews that some people never had a flat once they changed to gatorskins. Unfortunately i got a flat from a goatshead the first day out on the new tires. I will say that i have had a lot fewer flats since changing to them but to be on the safe side i am still using slime tubes as well.
Review by DBCSteve
We have used these tires on our touring bikes and tandem, as well as our go-fast bikes for winter riding. Very durable, not too heavy, and a very good overall value.
Review by Wheelsucker
I've been a Gatorskin user for at least 2 decades. The wire bead tires are not flexible enough for my aging hands. I will go back to the folding ones the next purchase. They wear wonderfully once they're on.
Review by Anonymous
I have been a long time continental tire user. They continue to be durable, great ride feel, and good looking too. The roads are ok, it�s Louisiana so they will always be rough.
Review by gander42
Have ridden Conti s for several years and never been disappointed.
Gatorskins are the best all around touring / training tire I have ever used.
Great grip, great wear, and great flat protection. I keep them inflated at 110 psi....and check for glass frags etc. after each ride. Also, monitor the wear dimples for replacement. This is all the maintenance required to keep you riding flat free!
Review by Anonymous
Many of the roads in my area are dirt and gravel or very rough pavement, these tires are great for on road or off pavement when necessary or if you feel like exploring the very back roads. I get over 3000 miles on a set and now just replace them when they start shedding a lot of strings from the sidewalls. Only had one slow leak flat on a very worn back tire. I feel completely comfortable going where most road bikers fear to travel. You don't have to pay much attention to the tires, just check the air every couple of weeks.
Review by Jim
I'm a weekend road warrior and a regular Team in Training participant. I bought a set of these in February 2013 and rode on them for well over a year without getting a single flat. I only replaced them because I had a worn spot on the rear tire due to an emergency skid. Also, in the wet weather I can run them at a little less pressure to give me more surface area. Only downside is that they are a little more difficult to put on but I'll take that any day over changing a flat while on a ride.
Review by RandoRider
I use the folding Gatorskins to do the ultra marathon events (200 km, 300 km, 400 km, 600 km plus). They are reasonably light, roll well and are very puncture resistant.
Review by StevePDX
This a tough and stable training tire. For me it is an every day tire for my road bike, allowing me to bike on less than ideal surfaces without worrying about getting a flat. Some complain about the difficulty of mounting the tire, due to its rather stiff wire bead. Well it is difficult to mount, but that is fine by me, since once on the rim these tires are very stable and secure.
Review by Laura the aspie
Bike Tires Direct was kind and replaced the initial set of tyres purchased from them with a pair of Continental Gatorskins. I have not put many miles on them yet, I am currently using the bike for rehab, and being careful. Therefore I do not yet know about the tyre's long term durability, nor rain traction, nor long term flat protection.
Here is what I do know
Bike Tires Direct are a bunch of good eggs.
The Gatorskins arrived quickly and well packaged.
The Gatorskins, upon unfolding, fairly leapt into proper shape and probably did not need the five minutes in the sun that I gave them prior to mounting.
The Gatorskins mounted easily and upon inflation were round. I like round tyres!
The Gatorskins were obviously far lighter than the pair of Brand X they replaced.
The Gatorskins roll with far less effort than the ones they replaced. The have lessened my pedaling effort and have increased speed.
The Gatorskins ride more smoothly. Although at the same pressure as the Brand X, they seem to ride much more smoothly. II attribute this to rocklike sidewalls on the other pair, and fairly compliant sidewalls of the Gators.
What more could a person want?
Review by pam w
Went to the gatorskins from the original tires. I seem to be getting a lot more roll with these new tires. Have had the a full season now and am very happy with how they are holding up. Usually ride anywhere from 30 to 100 miles per outing. If you want a good tire without breaking the bank go with these.
Review by Anonymous
My son was getting constant flats. Since we have used these tires he hasn't had any in two months.
Review by salty
ride year round through you name it, glass, gravel, sticks, whatever. i ride year round in Portland OR and i use these tires approx 10 months out of the year. ive even raced on them,which apparently if its wet is not the best idea as i could feel them sliding a bit in the corners and was forced to slow and others came around me which tells me they're tires were not slipping. with that said ive tried many types of tires for commuting/training and these are the best combination of not super heavy, and i can ride through a pile of glass and not get a flat. as opposed to armadillos which i still got flats and they rode like a dead pig wrapped around my wheel (they weigh almost twice as much)in sum if your looking for a tire that your not looking for a ton of performance out of you just want to be able to ride worry free, then these are the ones.
Review by Anonymous
These tires seem far superior to others in this price range. Durable and damage resistant.
Review by Anonymous
Great tire for country roads and gravel, anywhere one might have an increased chance of flats. The Gatorskins make for worry-free riding if flats are a concern. They aren't the fastest tires around; the GP5000s are quite a bit faster and also pretty robust. These tires are built for puncture resistance and meet that objective. BTD had an excellent price as well.
Review by Tama Samoa
Since I've had these, I haven't had to use my spare tire. The roads I ride is rough and very hard on race tires. These, I've used on both race and training and no complain except for one thing...very hard to put on. That's why I gave it a 4 star instead of 5.
Review by BAIRON
True to its description good tires worth the money and also shipping was quick no issues. I would buy again not just the tires but with bike tires direct.. true customer from 213 l.a. area
Review by postman
i ride 6 days a week 50-80 a day... been riding these for 25 years... just order them, well stop reading this review and get 'em... oh i don't like paying for them... well you asked what i don't like about them.... solid performance year round all conditions. bike tires direct has best prices on these.. i've got more in my house and on my bikes than most stores...
Review by Curly
Some of the people that I ride with go through a litany of tire changes for seasons and road conditions. Tires for racing, short rides, long rides, winter rides, spring rides...etc. I use Gatorskins all the time and usually have to wait for them while they fix flats. This is just out and out a darn good tire. Yeah it's heavy and hard but they have never let me down. I recommend them to all the people I ride and race with.
Hi Bill W.,
Thanks for your review! I am sorry to hear you have been having trouble with your new tires. Be sure to get in touch with our customer service department at [email protected] with any questions or concerns about the tires. We'd be happy to help!
Thanks, Anna