rsbob 

To say the difference between the two was amazing is an understatement. Had run Gators on my old steel bike for decades due to their puncture resistance. When commuting to work, the last thing I wanted to be late for was a flat. So no longer commuting and decided to make the switch and the difference in comfort, rolling resistance and cornering is unreal. The rolling resistance is super low in comparison. I run 5000 TLs on my other bike and love them, so decided to give the tubed versions a try. Wow.

InTheSticks

Yes they certainly ride a lot better overall and still have really good puncture resistance. I have them on my bikes as they last much longer than some of the softer compound tires that my wife runs (those ride really nice but wear fast for me).

livedarklions

For me the biggest noticeable difference is the cornering, and the GP5K are pretty good as far as puncturing goes. I'm with you, I would not change back.

Iride01 

Ride comfort on my GP 5000's is about the same as the Vittoria Rubino Pro's that I use to use. And both were a infinitely (yes that's a slight exaggeration. Get over it!) better ride than the cheaper Ultra Sports and other tires I use to use. Of note, my other tires weren't a comfortable ride at 75 PSI or any PSI. Whereas even when pumped up to max PSI of 125 or 135 PSI the GP 5000's and Rubino Pro's were more comfortable riding.

So I can easily believe you see a difference between Gator Skins and GP 5000's.

spelger

i did the switch some years ago. i honestly can't recall if i noticed a difference. about the same frequency of flats which is not much. just bought two more so i'm not inclined to go back and try the gator skins again.

rsbob 

From the other thread, sounds like there are more cost effective alternatives which provide the same benefits. Will try those in the future. Life is too short to get stuck on one tire.

t2p

GP4S is another option - sits between a GP5K and Gator

SpedFast

I can't comment on the aforementioned tires, but I was turned on to the Rubino Pro;s when I picked up a couple new take-offs for pennies on the dollar and haven't used anything else since. If the GP 5000's are as good, I'll keep them on the short list in the future too. Thanks for that tip.

t2p

true - but 'success is never boring' lol

BillRS22

I ride 28mm Gatorskins in the winter, and change to 25mm GP5000’s in the spring. I have never had a flat with the
Gatorskins over many years, but few miles. I get 2-3 flats per season with the 5000’s, over 2000 miles or so. Bill

rsbob 

What I didn’t include in my list of likes with the Contis was puncture resistance. They are supposed to be good but nothing like the skins.

t2p

Gatorskin is known for durability and puncture resistance - but it comes with a price

weight
rolling resistance
ride

obviously - if you ride in areas where flats can be a significant issue and are too common - Gatorskin (or whatever Gator tire) is probably the way to go

but GP4S is another option - faster tire with more puncture resistance than a standard GP4K / GP5K

LarrySellerz

Recently put a gatorskin on my back tire, first fast downhill I literally stopped and inspected the wheel because the grip was so poor I thought something else must be going on

Pinelander

I've been riding Gatorskins for many years and recently went up to 28mm @ 70psi. Rare flats - and I really hate changing flats on the road - but they aren't the smoothest ride. Maybe I'll have to check out the options next time.

NumbersGuy

I quite like the GP4S. I never used any of the Gator tires, but did use the even more puncture proof Schwalbe Marathons for many thousands of miles since I do mainly longer rides and my area has a lot of roadside debris. I've also tried Michelin Power Protection Plus & Specialized Armadillo (lighter/grippier than Marathons, still got too many punctures) and am now on my second set of GP4S which seems be a good balance of features for me. They give great puncture resistance and ride nearly as well as GP4KS2 (got occasional punctures with them).

burnthesheep

I mean, there's outright larger size gravel tires with same or less RR than the Gators, errrr I mean garden hoses.

Road tubeless at lower pressure on a 30mm or so tire even in a fast tire will not really be noticeably less reliable than a clincher gator. As you eliminated one flat failure mode altogether going tubeless, pinch flats.

pdlamb

Still happily using Gatorskins on my commute bikes. Long wearing (25% longer than GP 4ks IME), when I get a flat it's usually time to replace the tire. Faster for a a week of commuting than the repair time for a flat.

I gotta ask, what are y'all talking about when you talk about ride comfort? Gator 32s feel about the same to me on rough roads (expansion joints or crumbling pavement) at 85 psi than gravel tires at 55 psi. Do I not feel the difference because I'm a clyde?

livedarklions

I switched from GP4K to GP5K and I think I feel some difference, but it's close enough that I'm not sure it isn't placebo effect.

livedarklions

I had a bike flip out from beneath me on a pair of gatorskins. They don't like road snakes. I don't trust them on a downhill.

Paul Barnard

I don't yet have any 5000s. If they are like my 4000s I'll love them. My 4000s are the best feeling tires I have ever had. They have a number of nicks and cuts in them, some pretty deep, but have never punctured.

rsbob 

Can’t speak to the Clyde part but supple tires seem to absorb more of the road irregularities whereas my Gatorskins (now residing on my Fondriest) tend to transmit more and made the ride more harsh. It’s similar to car tires. Cheap tires give a terrible ride as well. Reminds me of when I was so poor I put recaps on.

SpeedyBlueBiker

I've used Gatorskins, Conti 4000, and 5000, but right now I've got a Schwalbe Marathon. All have been very good tires for me.

staehpj1 

I have long distance toured on Gatorskins and liked them for the lively ride compared to the other tires folks toured on. The flat resistance is at least okay as is it the ride. I figure they are a compromise for that kind of riding.

Way back in the day I remember racing and training on a tire that I remember as being labeled Continental Grand Prix. I don't recall them having a number in the name, but I remember them as being great tires that I considered very expensive at the time.

Most of my tours are long enough that they pass through goat head thorn country at some point. I like a lively ride. I carry a very light load when touring these days using ultralight packing practices. Thoughts on a more lively model than the gatorskin, like the 4000 or 5000 and or tubeless, especially if there might be goatheads.

Sardines

Set up tubeless, road race tires like the GP5000 S and Schwalbe Pro One, especially in the 30 - 34mm widths on 20+mm internal width rims, are now viable comfortable fast commute tires, with very decent puncture protection. For me, they have to be "easily" mounted tubeless. vs the struggle I had with Gravel King slicks, which otherwise are also more reasonably priced fast commuter, vs the top tier road race tires.

https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting...ng-2022-a.html

rsbob 

Out on the ride yesterday rode down about a quarter of a mile of shoulder just littered with glass. There was no getting around it since cars where doing 45 on my left. Immediately thought I was doomed to flat. Tried wiping the wheels with my gloved hands but there was just more and more. Was waiting for the inevitable but it never happened. The Conti’s did their job. Was just amazed.