Description Triple-protection technology gives you a bullet-proof, no-worries race/training tire.. High-mileage tire has a super-fine 170 tpi casing, a bead-to-bead layer of DuraSkin™ (polyamide fabric), ...
Summary: Put on over 3500 miles on these tires in one year. Had 4 flats total all year. This is in the desert too, stickers, glass, thunder storms, wind, etc. These were great tires for me. Would buy them again.
Strengths: Few flats, protective strip
Weaknesses: When well worn, a little slick in the rain when turning corners.
Similar Products Used: Continental Ultra Race (not as good)
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Summary: I use 650 x 23 Continental Ultra Gatorskins on both wheels. After about four months of use and during a period of one week, I got as many as 6 flats in the rear. Those Flats came progressively quicker as time went on. Never could I find anything puncturing the tire to cause a flat. The tube punctures were in 8 or 4 o'clock positions at the wheel rim. Using a 4x jeweler's loop, I found that the wire bead is very close to the inside wall of the tire. The wire bead ends terminate so that each end overlaps the other. On the tire with the flats, I also observed that the end of the sharp wire bead was protruding ever so slightly into the the inside of the tire. Since there were no other indications that caused the flat, I could only assume that bead protrusion was the cause. To salvage the tire and stop the flats, I filed down the end of the bead wire, and I glued a tube patch over the end of the wire and to the inside surface of the tire. It has been a couple weeks since the repair and NO MORE FLATS!! Did I find the flat problem? I think so.
As a matter of fact, a bicycle friend of mine, using the same Continental tire, also started having mysterious flats. I found his tire to have the same defect and we repaired it the same way as above. Results: You guessed it, no more flats!
Will I buy tires with wire beads anymore? Absolutely not. Since I have salvaged my own Ultra Gatorskins, I will ride 'em as long as I can, but I have on my shelf two new foldup MICHELIN PRO 2 RACE TIRES ready to go.
Strengths: They work fine when not flat.
Weaknesses: Wire Cord defect in tire causes flats.
Summary: Bought 2 tires after multiple punctures from other brands. Using the gatorskins, I've had no problems after 2,500 miles of riding on the shoulders and edge of roads.
Strengths: Puncture resistant. Excellent traction even in heavy rain.
Weaknesses: None experienced
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Bike Setup: Specialized Roubaix with Mavic Kisyrium SL wheels.
Summary: I went through six Continental Grand Prix 4000 tires in a year. I was happy with the performance but kept losing them to fatal slashes or severe punctures from road debris. Life ranged from 500 miles to 2000 miles each. I was tired of flats every other ride. I switched to gatorskins and have gone 1500 miles without a flat so far. The gatorskins do not roll quite as well as the GP4000 but the increased pleasure of flat free riding is well worth it. When I rode the 4000 tires, they accumulated many tiny slashes and nicks in the tread from riding. The gatorskins do not show any nicks or gashes. They are wearing very well. My guess is they will be good for 4000-5000 miles.
Strengths: Puncture and slash resistance!!! Reasonably low rolling resistance. Reasonably light weight (only 15 gm heavier than continental gp4000). I am not sure how people could say these are about the same as Specialized Armadillos. Those are heavy slugs. I owned a pair.
Weaknesses: None for my fast recreational riding style on various Multi-use paths and roadways. They only thing I can think of is that they are kind of ugly. I miss the flashy red tread of the continental gp4000 tires I ran for a year.
Similar Products Used: Continental GP 4000
Specialized All Season
Specialized Armadillo
Bike Setup: Specialized Roubaix with Mavic Kisyrium SL wheels.
Summary: I went through six Continental Grand Prix 4000 tires in a year. I was happy with the performance but kept losing them to fatal slashes or severe punctures from road debris. Life ranged from 500 miles to 2000 miles each. I was tired of flats every other ride. I switched to gatorskins and have gone 1500 miles without a flat so far. The gatorskins do not roll quite as well as the GP4000 but the increased pleasure of flat free riding is well worth it. When I rode the 4000 tires, they accumulated many tiny slashes and nicks in the tread from riding. The gatorskins do not show any nicks or gashes. They are wearing very well. My guess is they will be good for 4000-5000 miles.
Strengths: Puncture and slash resistance!!! Reasonably low rolling resistance. Reasonably light weight (only 15 gm heavier than continental gp4000). I am not sure how people could say these are about the same as Specialized Armadillos. Those are heavy slugs. I owned a pair.
Weaknesses: None for my fast recreational riding style on various Multi-use paths and roadways. They only thing I can think of is that they are kind of ugly. I miss the flashy red tread of the continental gp4000 tires I ran for a year.
Similar Products Used: Continental GP 4000
Specialized All Season
Specialized Armadillo
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