Why so much hate for Gatorskins?
09-06-20, 03:12 PM
#176
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I have over 4x your mileage on tubeless, and couldn't be happier. I wouldn't normally recommend tubeless for someone that rides only 2-3k miles per year( because of the required maintenance), but it works well when properly maintained.
09-06-20, 06:47 PM
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FWIW I have literally done nothing to them in 2 years.
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09-06-20, 07:29 PM
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Gatorskins on the urban commuter, GP5000 on the road bike, eazy peazy.
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09-06-20, 08:58 PM
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09-07-20, 05:54 AM
#181
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I bought them (2 wheel sets) from Competitive Cyclist. I called them for a suggestion for replacement tires. I just wanted to have a pair on hand when the time came. Got into a conversation with one of their tech guys and asked when I should replenish the sealant. This guy is a long time Mtn Bike tubeless guy. His advice was to ride them until you notice more air loss than usual overnight. He also said I could do it once a year if I wanted to be proactive. Early this morning I re-sealed the rear on my GURU. That's it so far. Although I probably will do the others in the near future, just to be safe.
09-07-20, 05:57 AM
#182
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Are you running Mavic or another brand?
09-07-20, 06:36 AM
#183
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I bought them (2 wheel sets) from Competitive Cyclist. I called them for a suggestion for replacement tires. I just wanted to have a pair on hand when the time came. Got into a conversation with one of their tech guys and asked when I should replenish the sealant. This guy is a long time Mtn Bike tubeless guy. His advice was to ride them until you notice more air loss than usual overnight. He also said I could do it once a year if I wanted to be proactive. Early this morning I re-sealed the rear on my GURU. That's it so far. Although I probably will do the others in the near future, just to be safe.
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09-07-20, 06:44 AM
#184
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Very interesting
Well, no, steel drum testing is not actually relevant to real road conditions. That is the lesson we've learned over the last few years, and it's why many, many cyclists have reduced their tire pressures. We now know that if the road surface has any sort of roughness, then a hard, high-pressure tire will cause a loss of speed from bouncing over the irregularities on the road.
So now that people are using anywhere from 60-90psi in road tires, as opposed to the 100-130psi that used to be commonplace, tires like the Gatorskins have a real advantage. The "rolling resistance" factor gets swamped by better grip, better durability, and better puncture protection. All of those claims of people having a "harsh ride" on Gatorskins was just from user error: they were running higher than optimum pressure.
Also, a 1 mph change in speed is not that much. It's something that an actually fit rider would never notice, especially when riding solo. The ONLY time a change like that might matter is during some competitive event, but no one is using Gatorskins for competiton (but they will use them for training).
So now that people are using anywhere from 60-90psi in road tires, as opposed to the 100-130psi that used to be commonplace, tires like the Gatorskins have a real advantage. The "rolling resistance" factor gets swamped by better grip, better durability, and better puncture protection. All of those claims of people having a "harsh ride" on Gatorskins was just from user error: they were running higher than optimum pressure.
Also, a 1 mph change in speed is not that much. It's something that an actually fit rider would never notice, especially when riding solo. The ONLY time a change like that might matter is during some competitive event, but no one is using Gatorskins for competiton (but they will use them for training).
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09-07-20, 09:29 AM
#185
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Not Mavic
I get a little over 12 weeks out of rear tires(about 2700 miles), so I add some sealant about every 6 weeks.
+1
I the heat of AZ summers, sealant will last about 8 weeks. I use TruckerCo Cream II, and it works quite well. I've asked many people in this area how long their sealant lasts, andi t's almost always the same answer. "about eight weeks".
https://www.truckerco.com/product-pa...-33-8-us-fl-oz
I get a little over 12 weeks out of rear tires(about 2700 miles), so I add some sealant about every 6 weeks.
You either talked to the wrong guy or you misunderstood. Effective sealant doesn't last a year in the tires (and no, I don't use Mavic sealant, but it's not magical); if you're not checking/toppping off your sealant multiple times per year, you don't have tubeless to thank for a lack of flats.
I the heat of AZ summers, sealant will last about 8 weeks. I use TruckerCo Cream II, and it works quite well. I've asked many people in this area how long their sealant lasts, andi t's almost always the same answer. "about eight weeks".
https://www.truckerco.com/product-pa...-33-8-us-fl-oz
09-07-20, 12:11 PM
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Bottom line for me, is I was getting too many flats with clincher racing tires which tend to ruin a ride. And the extra speed is negated when that happens. Since I've been using Gatorskins, I've had 0 flats in two years. While that may have had something to do with the eradication of goatheads, I'll take it. If I want a smooth fast ride, I just put on the sew-ups.
09-07-20, 12:33 PM
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slow ride, take it easy
Y'all are making me feel bad. I just bought some gators for my 1984 Fuji Touring bike with its 27" wheels. They cost me half of what I paid for the bike itself.
Two long rides with no flats and no crashes. But yeah, I'm slow.
Two long rides with no flats and no crashes. But yeah, I'm slow.
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09-07-20, 12:53 PM
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“Gators” are not fun when cycling fast.
When cycling at speed, on the road, the harshness of the ride is not fun with “Gators.” And on steep downhill corners they are dangerous.
When I would lean into a corner going fast, the rear Gator would break loose. Very scary.
The difference in ride quality when I swiched to the GP5000 tires shocked me. The 5000’s really make me feel safer when cornering because you can feel them stick to the road. And the ride is agile and comfortable.
I do not flat very often with the 5000’s, but when I do the time it takes to change a tube is not a big deal.
When I would lean into a corner going fast, the rear Gator would break loose. Very scary.
The difference in ride quality when I swiched to the GP5000 tires shocked me. The 5000’s really make me feel safer when cornering because you can feel them stick to the road. And the ride is agile and comfortable.
I do not flat very often with the 5000’s, but when I do the time it takes to change a tube is not a big deal.
09-07-20, 03:54 PM
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Gatorskins
I don’t ride when it’s exceptionally cold, I don’t ride for speed. I ride streets, bike paths and limestone and usually ride 20-30+ miles at a time. The Gatorskins are perfect for me. I custom built a bike early summer, 2019 and specificity told the shop I wanted Gatorskins. I’ve had one flat since then and only a few over the many years I rode my previous bike. Can’t complain eat all.
09-07-20, 04:13 PM
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I loved Gatorskins for reliability as they're very durable and hardly ever get a puncture. I can only compare to Vittoria tubs which were much comfier and quicker but in turn terrible in the wet!
09-07-20, 04:45 PM
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This suddenly brought some lurkers out of the woodwork.
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09-07-20, 05:01 PM
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A few years back I put a pair of 700 x 28 Gatorskins on my '68 Hetchins - which has then rested atop the piano as family room sculpture, save for an occasional cruise or century... so they have essentially zero wear miles. The mesh has begun to peel away from the bead on both tires, which I have never experienced with any other tire. Given the cost, I wouldn't have expected this.
09-07-20, 05:20 PM
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I love Gatorskins for touring on our tandem. Use the 700x32. They are very durable. The larger volume probably mitigates any feeling of a harsh ride. I've used Conti GranPrix 4000 in 700x28 when not touring. Really don't think the Gatorskins are that much slower for the tandem. Get at least 4 times the mileage on the Gatorskins.
09-07-20, 06:14 PM
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09-07-20, 06:31 PM
#197
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Longtime Gatorskin user on tandems. They’re still spec’d as OEM by many Tandem manufacturers. We ran the 28’s at 110 psi for 20 years and they did their job.
With a new tandem a year ago, we got 32mm GP5000s (Running @90 psi) and have been happy with the handling and wear and flat resistance. I’d wager the old Gatorskins have better flat resistance, but am happy with the 5000’s on the tandem.
With a new tandem a year ago, we got 32mm GP5000s (Running @90 psi) and have been happy with the handling and wear and flat resistance. I’d wager the old Gatorskins have better flat resistance, but am happy with the 5000’s on the tandem.
09-07-20, 06:37 PM
#198
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I love Gatorskins for touring on our tandem. Use the 700x32. They are very durable. The larger volume probably mitigates any feeling of a harsh ride. I've used Conti GranPrix 4000 in 700x28 when not touring. Really don't think the Gatorskins are that much slower for the tandem. Get at least 4 times the mileage on the Gatorskins.
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09-07-20, 07:40 PM
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Whew, a lot of tire knowledge on this thread!!
So, I'm looking for advice. I'm 60+yo, 250lbs, I ride mostly 20inch minivelo/folders. But on group/club rides I take my 2012 Motobecane CX(BD).
I love my Gatorskins 700x25 (never had a flat), but reading this forum has convinced me to think about upgrading to something faster.
In the meantime what tire pressure should I run on the Gatorskins? On the road? On the gravel trail? I usually do 100psi for everything.
Thank you
So, I'm looking for advice. I'm 60+yo, 250lbs, I ride mostly 20inch minivelo/folders. But on group/club rides I take my 2012 Motobecane CX(BD).
I love my Gatorskins 700x25 (never had a flat), but reading this forum has convinced me to think about upgrading to something faster.
In the meantime what tire pressure should I run on the Gatorskins? On the road? On the gravel trail? I usually do 100psi for everything.
Thank you
