panaracer gravel king or conti gatorskin hard shell?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: South Carolina Upstate
Posts: 2,109
Bikes: 2010 Fuji Absolute 3.0 1994 Trek 850
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 762 Post(s)
Liked 555 Times
in
322 Posts
panaracer gravel king or conti gatorskin hard shell?
have use conti's for a few years. almost flat proof.
saw pics of panaracer gravel kings and gravel kings sk, and they look so soft and supple, like a more comfy ride (all this based on looking at pictures yea)
anybody use them or have used them? what were your experiences
how's the flat protection vs, conti gatorskins
or you could recommend a tire that's even better than the panaracer's!
mostly just looking for something different with a different feel while riding. speed not really important
thanks!
saw pics of panaracer gravel kings and gravel kings sk, and they look so soft and supple, like a more comfy ride (all this based on looking at pictures yea)
anybody use them or have used them? what were your experiences
how's the flat protection vs, conti gatorskins
or you could recommend a tire that's even better than the panaracer's!
mostly just looking for something different with a different feel while riding. speed not really important
thanks!
#2
Half way there
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,957
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 986 Post(s)
Liked 880 Times
in
527 Posts
I put a set of Gravel King SKs (43-622)on my hybrid and like them quite a bit. I only have about 600 miles on them, though. I've used them 50/50 paved and gravel and found them comfortable and competent. Have had no flats yet (ok, now I've jinxed myself). The tread pattern makes a bit of a hum on very smooth surfaces but it's not bad.
Haven't tried the gatorskins.
Haven't tried the gatorskins.
#4
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10964 Post(s)
Liked 7,491 Times
in
4,189 Posts
flat protections totally depends on where and how you ride.
I havent had a flat in a few years of road and gravel riding. It may be the tires I use(likely to a degree), it may be where I ride(not likely), and it may be how I ride(likely).
The SK in 43mm kicks up loose small gravel, from what Ive read. Its a well regarded tire otherwise.
Continental 4 season is a good tire for speed, protection, and feel.
Continental GP 4K is a very good tire for speed, protection, and feel.
No idea what width you want to ride(your mentioned tires come in a lot of widths) so suggesting more specifics would be a waste of time.
It boils down to this- how and where you ride is hugely important when it comes to flats. Oh, and gatorskin tires ride like frozen hoses so just about anything will feel better.
I havent had a flat in a few years of road and gravel riding. It may be the tires I use(likely to a degree), it may be where I ride(not likely), and it may be how I ride(likely).
The SK in 43mm kicks up loose small gravel, from what Ive read. Its a well regarded tire otherwise.
Continental 4 season is a good tire for speed, protection, and feel.
Continental GP 4K is a very good tire for speed, protection, and feel.
No idea what width you want to ride(your mentioned tires come in a lot of widths) so suggesting more specifics would be a waste of time.
It boils down to this- how and where you ride is hugely important when it comes to flats. Oh, and gatorskin tires ride like frozen hoses so just about anything will feel better.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 2,249
Bikes: 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiade, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Peugeot PR10, 2002 Specialized Allez, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2013 Culprit Croz Blade
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 818 Times
in
421 Posts
I've been a big fan of Gatorskins for years, for all kinds of reasons. I like the flat protection, nearly bullet proof, though a radial tire wire got one last week. I like how they ride and handle. I actually like harder riding tires and usually run around 100 psi. I've also been riding Panaracer Paselas 28s (no experience with Gravel Kings) on some vintage bikes. I've had a set of Paselas on a '73 Super Course for 3 years, and like the ride and durability (2 flats in 3000 miles), mostly paved roads, but some gravel and dirt fire roads, too. I recently built another Super Course, a 1978, but similar to my '73. I put a spare set of wheels on it with Gatorskin 28s, and did about 10 miles on a tune up and fit adjustment ride yesterday. Man, those Gators ride hard compared to the Paselas on the other bike. I think I'll switch wheels with the Paselas and see if it is really the tires, or the frame that makes the new SC ride harder. Not sure if this helps, but my .02.
My '73 SC on Panaracer Pasela 28s.
My '78 SC on Gatorskin 28s. (The camo bar tape is temporary)
My '73 SC on Panaracer Pasela 28s.
My '78 SC on Gatorskin 28s. (The camo bar tape is temporary)
Last edited by Slightspeed; 06-04-19 at 10:22 AM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Posts: 1,299
Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 457 Times
in
240 Posts
Interesting you would choose a treaded vs non-treaded.
I have Hard Shell and Regular Gatorskins. Regular are more supple. No flats on either.
I have Hard Shell and Regular Gatorskins. Regular are more supple. No flats on either.
__________________
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
#8
Full Member
I had the Panaracer GK 1.9" on a hardtail and my biggest complaint was weight. The ones I got were tubeless compatible and if I kept that bike I probably would have converted them. Other than that they were supple and rolled well due to having little resistance but defiantly were more of a road packed dirt tire
https://imgur.com/iR3hWdU
https://imgur.com/iR3hWdU
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,851
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 810 Times
in
471 Posts
Gravel Kings have been discussed fairly often in the last year. Try a search for Panaracer.
This was in the last month or so:
GKs
and others:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...ings-28mm.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...-sk-g-one.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...r-tires-2.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...ood-tires.html
This was in the last month or so:
GKs
and others:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...ings-28mm.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...-sk-g-one.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...r-tires-2.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...ood-tires.html
Last edited by fishboat; 06-04-19 at 04:59 PM.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: upstate NY
Posts: 161
Bikes: Jamis renegade, surly big dummy, giant talon 29er
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 42 Times
in
22 Posts
100% contis. I have been riding them for years and love the way they feel, handle, never get flats. I ride on the roads at about 100+ PSI and still no flats. I was changing a set on some new rims and the casing around the metal bead tore. I emailed them and they replaced it after sending out a few pics. If it ain't broke dont fix it. Cant go wrong the the gatorskins.
#12
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Providence
Posts: 732
Bikes: Specialized tarmac sl2 giant tcx zero
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 319 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
where are you riding ???
its hard to recommend a tire based on what you want ,
tires are used for a purpose ,
if i was going all road it would be gp4000 forever ,
if i was racing a road , maybe a pro one or gp5000 ,
if i was TTing maybe a TT tire ,
i know gator skins waste energy and provide nothing in performance ,
other than absorbing street glass so the other riders can have a flat free ride lololol!!!!!!!
its hard to recommend a tire based on what you want ,
tires are used for a purpose ,
if i was going all road it would be gp4000 forever ,
if i was racing a road , maybe a pro one or gp5000 ,
if i was TTing maybe a TT tire ,
i know gator skins waste energy and provide nothing in performance ,
other than absorbing street glass so the other riders can have a flat free ride lololol!!!!!!!
#13
Senior Member
OP .... You don't mention what type of riding you're doing ... road / gravel mix or just road and what width tyre your bike can take.
I use the GK's on my bike in the winter where we hit some mud but for summer switch for a smoother tread and have been using Vittoria Voyager Hypers which have just been discontinued,.
I very recently had a thread looking for something similar and a few people suggested either Schwalbe Marathon Supremes or Panaracer Paselas but I haven't got round to ordering them yet.
If you want more tread for gravel / winter riding the GK's are brilliant.
I use the GK's on my bike in the winter where we hit some mud but for summer switch for a smoother tread and have been using Vittoria Voyager Hypers which have just been discontinued,.
I very recently had a thread looking for something similar and a few people suggested either Schwalbe Marathon Supremes or Panaracer Paselas but I haven't got round to ordering them yet.
If you want more tread for gravel / winter riding the GK's are brilliant.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Barrettscv
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
77
01-12-20 05:51 AM
tomazo
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
7
12-27-16 08:00 PM
Barrettscv
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
2
08-19-16 09:00 AM
Richard8655
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
13
06-25-15 10:07 PM