Eric F 

I'm putting together a bike for my (almost) son-in-law to use for fitness on local paved MUPs. Due to the configuration of the frame (20yo-ish race bike), the tire size is limited to 25s. I'm looking for something with good puncture resistance. My first thought is Conti Gatorskins. Is there a better choice?

Bah Humbug

I liked the Michelin Power Protection+ as an option with a full Kevlar belt but also 110TPI carcass. It'll be a lot nicer than a Gatorskin, but of course also somewhat less robust. How resistant does it have to be?

Sy Reene

MUPs usually aren't too debris ridden. I'd prefer something like the Pirelli p Zero Race 4-Season. But its smallest size is a 26 -- not sure that'd work for you.

Eric F 

My SIL is a newbie rider, and will have minimal skills for avoiding debris. I'm leaning towards more protection. A nicer ride and/or better performance are not really considerations, at this point.

Eric F 

I know the paths he will be using. They tend to be fairly clean, but it's not unusual for there to be an occasional broken bottle or other debris that could cause tire damage. I'm looking for protection over performance. A 26 might fit, but probably not a 28.

masi61

Not sure if your son in law is mechanically inclined or willing to think outside the box but I would put out there that the best bet might be to go tubeless. Do you know what rims are currently on his bike?/
Tubeless 25mm tires with fresh sealant in them can resist punctures very well and also roll really fast, absorb bumps great for a smooth ride and corner like spiderman.

jadmt

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...=55&mingrip=55

you can search tires by best puncture resistance and see actual measured width.

Rick_D

Gatorskins work well for me, running 23s ATM, and grip well cornering. Our common hazards are glass and puncture vine.

Have Rubino Pro 25s on a less-used bike with one snake-bite flat from hitting an angular rock pretty hard--not a fair test in my estimation. Ride quality is exceptional, just not enough miles to rate puncture resistance from common hazards.

Eric F 

I use BRR for so many of the tires I ride. I don't know why it didn't even cross my mind for this query. Thanks.

jonathanf2

On one of my road bikes I run Panaracer GravelKing 26c slicks. I use this bike mainly for climbing the unpaved fire roads at Griffith Park and the Hollywood hills. I find they have a nice balance between weight, puncture resistance, speed and road handling. Not to mention they go on sale every so often for about $25 a tire.

Eric F 

I run tubeless on most of my bikes (road, gravel, and MTB), and I’m very familiar with it. The bike my SIL is getting (a gift to him through a friend of mine) has 20yo-ish wheels. They might be able to be set up ghetto-tubeless, but that’s not a road that I want to go down with this bike, for a newbie rider.

SoSmellyAir

Double down and go for Continental Gator Hardshells: Continental Gator Hardshell Tire - Components (competitivecyclist.com)

DougRNS

might want to go with a less robust tire increasing the puncture risk as well as chance that, while stranded, he'll be eaten by a bear. Unless you like him. If so, nevermind.

PeteHski

Pirelli Cinturato Velos are available in 26 mm and they are the BRR recommendation for reasonably fast, puncture resistant tyres. I've used the 32 mm version (run tubeless) and had zero punctures riding over all sorts of crap.

Eric F 

That’s where I’m leaning.

EDIT: Trigger pulled on the Hardshells.

Caliwild

I'm a fan of the Continental 4 Season tires, especially in the black edition (less gaudy). They're surprisingly comfortable too...

Camilo

A vote for Gatorskins.

Of course, I don't know about the riding style or tire sensitivity of your almost son-in-law. But, consider my wife as an example:

She rides about 1,000 miles on her road bike per year. She's been on tubed Gatorskins ever since I set her up on her first road bike about 10 or 12 years ago. She's never had a flat. That's ALL she cares about. (and as the guy pretty much responsible for her care-free riding, that's all I care about too).

Ride quality? She has no idea between good and poor "ride quality". Cornering? Not even close to a consideration.

She is an enthusiast for sure - she rides a lot and loves to ride, although at the pace of a late 60s, tiny, never raced, slowest in her group of friends (say, rough average 11 MPH rolling hills, 20 miles). Because of her enthusiasm, I did build up a nice ~18 pound CF bike for her. At 100 pounds and not very strong (call it weak), and living in hilly terrain, the justification for light-ish weight is probably greater than for most of us. And, the folding Gatorskins aren't a lot heavier than similar sized "better" tires.

Many, if not most, of my friends who ride a LOT, many more miles, much faster, also ride tubed Gatorskins because they either don't care or can't feel any meaningful difference with "better tires" in "ride quality", cornering etc. Avoiding flats trumps everything else. I have Gatorskins on one of my road bikes, and very nice Michelin Pro Race and Veloflex on the others. I think I can feel a bit more supple ride on the Michelin and Veloflex tires, but it is not very meaningful to me, doesn't at all impact the overall fun of the ride. Cornering? I never push any bike to the extent I'd notice that difference. To me, Gatorskins are just fine. (although, flats on the other tires is very rare - so that's not really a factor either).

If that riding description fits your almost SIL, get some Gatorskins for him.

Eric F 

Gatorskin Hardshells were delivered today. I will mount them tomorrow. My almost-SIL has no preference, style, or sensitivity. I’m putting together the first bike he’s had since he was a kid. We shall see how it goes.

TiHabanero

In several decades of using Conti tires they have proven to be exceptionally durable and puncture resistant.

eduskator

Gatorskins seems to be a good overall choice. I would also check the Schwalbe (my favorite tire brand) Marathon Plus.

BobbyG

Tire liners give any tire more puncture resistance. Been using them for 15 years with light, supple tires.

WaveyGravey

I highly recommend Gatorskins. Size 700 x 25. I had a real problem with flats until I switched to Gatorskins. And they are easy to install.

ArgoMan

I have Gatorskin on my son's bike. He had a flat and upon inspection I found the tube pierced in 3 areas! All by those totally annoying goat head thorns. They're the absolute worst. Upon inspection of the tire itself I found that it had been pierced in several more areas, but not deeply enough to affect the tube. BUT, I've otherwise rode Gatorskins without having too many problems.