Gakorskins

[beatlejuice]

My LBS is selling a pair of Gatorskins tyres for £55. I want fit them to my Triban. I would rather put up with a bit of extra weight to avoid visitations from the P fairy! Is this a good price ?

 

[Nearly there]

I got some gators from my Lbs for £45 a pair so yes your paying too much

 

[youngoldbloke]

Extra weight? Surprisingly 700x23 folding Gatorskins are only 220gm, as against 205gms for same size GP4000Ss (25mm GP4000S are actually heavier!), and the wire bead Gatorskins are 280gm Bet they are lighter than the original tyres on the Triban. (Weights from Continental website).

 

[gbb]

Extra weight? Surprisingly 700x23 folding Gatorskins are only 220gm, as against 205gms for same size GP4000Ss (25mm GP4000S are actually heavier!), and the wire bead Gatorskins are 280gm Bet they are lighter than the original tyres on the Triban. (Weights from Continental website).

Quite right. Gators, while they may not offer the best puncture protection are a lovely compromise, with reasonable protection. They are acknowledged to be quite fast tyres, I haven't had a puncture since early this year...that said, I don't do the mileage I used to, but even so.
Just watch em when new, slippery until the shininess rubs off.

 

[lukesdad]

Ive put gators (26) on next years commuter £40 the pair on fleabay

 

[Sittingduck]

There are a few different variations. They are good, in terms of p-protection and roll okay but they are a little sketchy in the wet, particularly on street iron and out of the saddle going uphill in the wet will sometimes slip a bit.

55 quid is probably not too bad for LBS pricing but they can be had cheaper online.

 

[fossyant]

Try and get 4 Seasons, they are better.

 

[jayonabike]

4 Seasons are bloody good tyres, and 21% off at the moment on Wiggle

 

[Sittingduck]

I'm a man for 4 Seasons, also

 

[smokeysmoo]

Never used 4 seasons but then again never had an issue with Gators either, and currently have them on both bikes for the winter

Agreed £55 is tad high, is that fitted though?, if so ask them to price match and fit them yourself

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

I use the foldable Gatorskins in the winter. Great tyre for the ££ and they perform very well. Haven't had the wet issue with them and living in Scotland in winter, most of my riding is in rain or damp conditions. I have heard this complaint several times though.

Anyway even Wiggle are doing the Gator for £23.07. That's £46.14 a pair. I think Wiggle might even be doing (or will be doing) 10-off deals too for xmas. Have to fit them yourself but that's no probs.

 

[cyberknight]

I run gators on my commuter as i have used them for years and they are a good tyre but as others have said they have a bit less grip in the wet so you just have to learn how hard you can push .
There are more protective tyres out their, i had a flat last night when a really sharp piece of flint got through but unless i was running something like marathon pluses i doubt that anything would have stopped it.
With gators like most tyres you need to check for debris in the tyre and dig it out or it will work through the tyre and give you a flat later on .
I must admit to not being good at this as i should but i have had 5-6 flats all year in over 5000 miles on some pretty bad roads /cyclepaths will all sorts of gravel, glass shards etc so i am happy enough.
Last night tested my C02 pump for the 1st time , i am a convert as they save a lot of hassle ! altough i advise carrying a mini pump as well just in case.....

 

[GrumpyGregry]

gatorskini hardshells for me. I guess I just don't push it hard enough in the wet to have them break away.

 

[Psyclist]

4 seasons are great. But Hardshells offer more protection than the older Gatorskins.

 

[stephec]

There are a few different variations. They are good, in terms of p-protection and roll okay but they are a little sketchy in the wet, particularly on street iron and out of the saddle going uphill in the wet will sometimes slip a bit.

55 quid is probably not too bad for LBS pricing but they can be had cheaper online.

That's putting it mildly!

I had a pair on my winter bike a few years ago, they caused me quite a few skid marks.

I swapped them for Michelin Krylion Carbons, they're a lovely set of tyres.