Is there a better tyre than a Continental Gatorskin for a road bike?

[Racing roadkill]

Continental GP 4 seasons trump Gatorskins, Conti Gp4000sII's trump GP 4 seasons, and Schwalbe Durano + trump them both ( on puncture protection, but not rolling characteristics or grip).

 

[mark st1]

Continental GP4000 for me. Unlikely to buy another tyre again I have been that impressed with the rolling resistance and durability.

This.

 

[jay clock]

Mine have now done 6500 miles with one puncture. Because back tyres tend to wear more I swapped back to front after 3000 miles and they are still riding well. They may not be the lightest but I'm really impressed.
Is there a better tyre for longevity and puncture resistance?

slight side comment. In my view you do NOT want the grottier tyre on the front. A blow out in front is far worse than a rear one. Just my view, others may disagree

 

[martint235]

slight side comment. In my view you do NOT want the grottier tyre on the front. A blow out in front is far worse than a rear one. Just my view, others may disagree

I never swap them round. I can see the logic in that the rear wears faster but as you say a front blow out is far more unpleasant. One worn tyre = two new tyres.

 

[Dec66]

I never swap them round. I can see the logic in that the rear wears faster but as you say a front blow out is far more unpleasant. One worn tyre = two new tyres.

I think it depends on how often you change them over. If you can be bothered to do it every 200 miles or so, then I don't see the wear rendering the rear tyre that much more vulnerable it it's swapped to the front.

For some, 200 miles may be five weeks. For others, a week.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

For some, 200 miles may be five weeks. For others, a week.

Used to be a weeks riding. At current rate of progress on two wheels these days? About a year. *sad face*

 

[raleighnut]

I'd put a front tyre on the back but only when I'd fitted a new un on the front.

 

[winjim]

They're certainly tough, but I would expect a similar riding experience by coiling a garden hosepipe around my rims.

You're right. Bloody horrible things.

 

[Soltydog]

As a starting point;
Best per mile/puncture/pence: probably the Rubino
Best per mile/puncture: Marathons
Best for mile/puncture/performance: Duranos

After a disastrous flirtation with GP 4 Seasons a few years back I doubt I'll ever go near a Continental tyre again.

Another one here who will not use Continental again I used Gatorskins for the first time last winter, 3 punctures in as many months & then a blowout & the side wall ripped apart. I couldn't find any obvious cause & stupidly replaced it with another Gatorskin, bad move. A few months later the sidewall/beading started to come away & was in danger of another blowout, don't keep receipts so couldn't take it back, but I'm done with them now. & they are the only tyre, I've used, that's ever lost grip on a tarmac road surface

Never had a problem with Schwalbe tyres, currently running Durano plus, Marathon + & double defense jobbies on 3 bikes & not had 1 issue yet. On my 'best' bike I run Bontrager AW3 hard cases & find them very good too

 

[chappers1983]

I've always used Gatorskins and never had a problem with them puncture-wise. Can't comment on other characteristics as I don't know anything different!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Marathon Plus - I got circa 12,000 miles out of one tyre and I ride over all lot of surface types

 

[Soltydog]

Marathon Plus - I got circa 12,000 miles out of one tyre and I ride over all lot of surface types

So you do all them miles on a unicycle very impressive.

IMO people have different views/luck with tyres & maybe I was just unlucky with Gatorskins But Marathon Plus are the only tyre where no one seems to doubt the reliability of them, just a tad on the heavy side for some folk

 

[migrantwing]

As a starting point;
Best per mile/puncture/pence: probably the Rubino
Best per mile/puncture: Marathons
Best for mile/puncture/performance: Duranos

After a disastrous flirtation with GP 4 Seasons a few years back I doubt I'll ever go near a Continental tyre again.

+1

Durano S and Durano Plus user. Never let me down.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

vittoria rubino pros have served me well over my 60km round-trip commute…

 

[NorthernDave]

Had Vittoria Zaffiros on my bike from new which I've no complaints over, but when they started to get cut up I replaced then with Ultra Gatorskins and find them spot on. But that's just me...