Summary: I live in Phoenix, AZ, so flats are a huge problem here. I have been riding on my Hardcases for two years and have only had three flats. The first one was a jumping cactus thorn, the second a Palo Verde tree thorn, and the third was another cactus thorn. My point is that these are about 1/2 to 1 1/2 inch thorns the thickness of nail. It stands to reason it would puncture.
I have rode through glass, construction debris, and thorns of the weed variety without any punctures.
As far as weight is concerned I'm a about 250, so I'm not going to sweat an extra 50 to 100 grams until I'm below 200 pounds.
I haven't had any wet road issues with them. The Gators on my fixed do handle turns a bit better in the rain. In Phoenix since it rains so little the streets are like riding on black ice when it does rain.
Strengths: Practically puncture proof. It takes running over cactus thorns to puncture it.
Turns well. I've hit sand in a construction zone without seeing it due to a sign making a sharp turn and slid a little, but held my line.
Weaknesses: None really
Similar Products Used: Sefaras and Gator skins.
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Summary: This was a great tire for my 2500 mile trip down the Atlantic Coast. Not one single flat on this tire (had the Hard Case in the rear) even though the road debris, glass, roots, cracks, nails even flying skateboards (there goes that rim) were all plentiful.
When my bike was shipped back home the shop that packed it up released most of the air from the tire. I looked at the tire and there were nicks, gouges and slices every couple inches, but the protective casing under the rubber held up strong. Some of the slices in the rubber are an inch long.
I'm a firm believer that running max air pressure and checking it before every ride reduces flats drastically. Then again, maybe I'm just lucky.
Strengths: Not bombproof, but very strong. Like getting a second chance with every piece of junk you hit on the road.
Weaknesses: All the normal tradeoffs for durable tires. Weight, cost a little more, handling.
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Bike Setup: Stock Trek 1200c with fenders, and rear rack for commuting.
Summary: These tires came stock on my Trek 1200c that I bought for commuting. After about 4000 miles of commuting and riding around town and on rural roads, I have NEVER had a flat! The tread started coming off recently, so I looked for what to replace them with. After reading reviews of other tires and people talking about only a few flats, I decided to stick with the ones that have a perfect record.
Strengths: No flats. Get me back and forth to work everyday without worry.
Weaknesses: No complaints.
Similar Products Used: The ones that came on my bike were 28s, and the new ones are 23s.
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Bike Setup: Santana Sovereign Tandem 340 lb team weight.
Summary: I switched from 28 Gatorskins to 32 Hardcases for improved float and ride quality on semi-paved rail trails. I have realized those benefits and been pleasantly surprised that rolling resistance has not noticeably increased.
Strengths: Ride & Handeling
Weaknesses: None noticed at 600 miles.
Similar Products Used: Ultra Gatorskins 700x28
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Bike Setup: 1980s steel Raleigh "Joop Zotemelk" 22. inch frame
Summary: Absolutely brilliant tyre. I won't be using anything else from now on. Cheap, Great grip in the wet, easy to slip on and off, and virtually puncture proof.
I have gone from at least one punture a week to around one puncture evey two months.
Strengths: Virtually pencture proof unless you hit a pot hole at full speed.
Easy to change a tube.
Great grip in the wet.
Weaknesses: None so far
Similar Products Used: Vittoria Rubino, Zaffiro, Tecno Twin tread (badly missed)
Continental Gator skin (Crap)
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