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Difference between Continental Gatorskin and Ultra Gatorskin

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mikkelz

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Difference between Continental Gatorskin and Ultra Gatorskin?

Hi guys

I just bought another Continental Gatorskin and only when I got home did I notice the previous tyre I bought was an "Ultra" Gatorskin. What is the difference between the two? I'd assume the "Ultra" is better/newer? Was I given an old tire?

The Conti Tyres website has an image of the tyre I bought, the Continental Gatorskin. Any ideas?

Thanks!
 
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Discussion starter · #2 ·
Alrighty then! I'll add some photos to help illustrate my question. :D

Continental Ultra Gatorskin:



Continental Gatorskin:



Any ideas which is an older/newer model or what the differences are?
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Thanks for the reply but the Ultra Gatorskin I have definitely ain't foldable! It also has a wire bead... :confused:
 
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#6 ·
Continental's German website isn't much help on the difference either—they only list a "Ultra Gatorskin," no "Gatorskin." So I'm guessing the "Ultra Gatorskin" is the more current name. In Germany, the Ultra Gatorskin does come in both wire- and kevlar bead for two 700 sizes:

700 x 23 wire-280 gram, kevlar-230 gram
700 x 25 wire-300 gram, kevlar-250 gram
700 x 28 wire-320 gram, no kevlar available.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Again, thanks for the replies! I also found the websites (UK & International) to be a little conflicting in their information.

I reckon I'll go back in to my LBS tomorrow and see what they have to say. I'd prefer an "Ultra" Gatorskin as I don't like things not matching up on my bike. :D
 
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#9 ·
At http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti ultra gatorskin.shtml there is a picture of the tire that corresponds to the "gatorskin", not "ultra" tire. Yet, the details and specifications of the tire is the same as for ultra gatorskin.

They are likely the same tire but distributed to different parts of the world and/or marketed/promoted differently. While the labelling is different, there is consistency in the font style of the lettering which makes for a small discrepancy between the tires. It likely would not be noticeable to anyone other than yourself.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
I actually prefer the non-Ultra Gatorskin logo. :)

@giro_man: I also had a look at the link you posted and found it strange that nothing is mentioned regarding "Ultra" on that page, yet the actual filename of the page is: ti ultra gatorskin.html

Anyway, thanks for the replies guys.
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
I just got a reply from Continental:

They are the same tyre, they have just shortened the name as the are mostly referred to as ‘Gatorskin’.

Cambrian Tyres Ltd, North Parade, Aberystwyth, Wales. SY23 2JR
The UK's Number One Two-Wheel Tyre Distributor
Click to expand...
 
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#13 ·
1. Since 2010, Conti produces Gatorskin and Gatorskin Hardshell. Both can be had in folding version. Do not know about wired.

New tires are marketed as a substitute for Ultra Gatorskins of the past. Conti says that Gatorskin Hardshell is the same as Ultra Gatorskin but better while 2010 Gatorskin is good for winter/wet riding. Ultra Gatorskin had a known problem reproted by a few people. When it's cold, its surface feels kind of hard and it does not grip well when it's cold and wet.

2. So the questions. Have people tried these 2 tires on the bikes? I wonder how 2010 Gatorskin compares to old Ultra Gatorskin in flat prevention. Do you get more or less flats with Gatorskin than with Ultra in the past? How much more or less?

3. How the ride quality of Gatorskin Hardshell compares to Ultra Gatorskin? To 2010 Gatorskin?
 
#15 ·
sokudo said:
1. Since 2010, Conti produces Gatorskin and Gatorskin Hardshell. Both can be had in folding version. Do not know about wired.

New tires are marketed as a substitute for Ultra Gatorskins of the past. Conti says that Gatorskin Hardshell is the same as Ultra Gatorskin but better while 2010 Gatorskin is good for winter/wet riding. Ultra Gatorskin had a known problem reproted by a few people. When it's cold, its surface feels kind of hard and it does not grip well when it's cold and wet.

2. So the questions. Have people tried these 2 tires on the bikes? I wonder how 2010 Gatorskin compares to old Ultra Gatorskin in flat prevention. Do you get more or less flats with Gatorskin than with Ultra in the past? How much more or less?

3. How the ride quality of Gatorskin Hardshell compares to Ultra Gatorskin? To 2010 Gatorskin?
Click to expand...
The Hardshell is a different animal than the Ultra Gatorskin. The rubber is much thicker and the flat protection layer wraps from bead to bead, not so on the Ultra Gatorskin. The folding Hardshell weighs about 50g more than the same size folding Ultra Gatorskin/Gatorskin.

The Gatorskin and Ultra Gatorskin are basically the same tire, with different graphics. I cannot confirm if they changed compound or not. The 2009 Ultra Gatorskin and the 2010 Gatorskin share the same part number,
 
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