Description If you want to get the miles in, the Sprinter GatorSkin has you covered. With the long-wearing carbon black tread compound, a Kevlar nylon anti-puncture layer, and the added protection of the DuraSkin...
Summary: I haven't had a puncture problem with these like other reviewers. Maybe I'm lucky or other are unlucky. However, my rear tire has worn out after about 600 miles.
Strengths: Puncture Resistance
Weaknesses: Wears much faster than Conti advertises
Bike Setup: Cervelo Soloist - Campy Ultra Bora
Carvelo P3C carbon - Zip 909 and HED 3 spoke
Summary: The manufacturer advertises these as puncture resistant? Have spent more than a thousand dollars over the past two years trying to keep my two bikes running on these tires. I ride about 700 hrs/yr. In the past month have gone thru 6 of these tires. They wear to the point they will flat on average about 1000 miles. Of the six recently flatted, only one had gone that far; the others were nearly new. They are particularly prone to flat when wet, like most tires. I have tried fixing these with sealant - rarely has worked even to finish the ride, never has sealed to allow use of the tire long term. You can't afford these tires....
Bike Setup: Litespeed, DA 9 spd, Ardennes, Thomson and Deda
Summary: Didn't have any puncture problems with these, contrary to other reviews. I used them as a spring training tire and early season race tire, including gravel and crappy early season Iowa roads. I'm 150 lbs and don't seem to be too hard on wheels/tires, so? They did not wear well, however; I'm guessing I got 500 miles out of the back before a tack killed it, at which point it was already getting bald (I think the file type tread is part of the wear issue). Now I'm riding a set of Ardennes w/ Mich Pro2 tires and I honestly think the Mich clinchers roll and feel better than these Conti's, despite the tubular reputation.
Strengths: At least normal flat protection, typical light tubular advantage over clinchers, average price
Weaknesses: Wear, no advantage in feel over clinchers, typical tubular pain in the to mount
Bike Setup: Cervelo R3 White. Full DA with FSA cranks. Zipp 404/303 wheels. Speedplay Zeros. Polar CS200 w/cadence.
Summary: I bought a set of the Gatorskins as they were out of the regular Sprinters. Mistake. Rear flatted on the 3rd ride. Less than 100 miles. Small pinhole puncture is what caused the flat. Never had a problem with the regular Sprinters. Gatorskins are crap. Do not buy.
Strengths: They look great with the black tape.
Weaknesses: Puncture resistance is terrible. I've ridden on tubulars for years and this is the first flat that I have had. No more Gatorskins
Similar Products Used: Conti Sprinter 250, GP, Podium. Vittoria Corsa CX.
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Summary: I picked up a set of Reynolds DVTs from a friend and thought I would get a more durable tire with the gatorskin, wrong. The rear flatted in less than 50 miles and the front in 100. Both flats were from small rocks that cut through the tread. I have put on regular sprinters and have better luck with less weight and less rolling resistance.
Strengths: Super high pressure tire that holds air.
Weaknesses: Not as durable as advertised
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