Marathon Plus or Gatorskins?

[aserota]

Im currently running Gatorskins 23c on my roadbike/commuter. The rear has punctured twice in the last week and they have done around 1.5k miles now.

My commute is 30 miles a day through NW and Central London. I have read many good reviews about the Marathon Plus tyres. Is it worth switching to a set of 700c x 25c's or sticking with the gatorskins for this distance and bumpy roads?

 

[Chuffy]

What kind of punctures have you been getting? Snakebites suggest you need to pump your tyres up more, intrusion punctures (glass etc) suggest you need a thicker tyre.

 

[aserota]

The 2nd option unfortunately, so ill move across to the marathons

 

[4F]

M+ are on the heavy side but in my opinion for a commuter tyre are an excellent choice.

 

[Cranky]

Gatorskins are very prone to punctures after 1000 miles IME. M+ are certainly heavier but very reliable which is probably what you want for commuting.

 

[HJ]

I've not had a problem with Gatorskins, maybe I am just lucky...

 

[Joe]

M+s weigh an absolute ton! But are about as puncture proof as you can get and so not a bad idea for commuting

 

[Aperitif]

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=27490

aserota, I have changed over and roll over stuff with complete confidence. Time may prove different but so far 720km in the commutes I have done with it. Look in the Gallery to see how shiny they are when new! Do some thumb exercises before fitting them!

 

[Joe24]

I use Gatorskins on my Giant. It doesnt get much use now, but when it did i hardly got any punctures at all. Kept them pumped right up to 120psi-ish and they were fine. Bit slippy in the wet though i though
Im on schwalbe stelvios now pretty much all the time on the fixed. I think i have had 1 or 2 punctures, if that, in the 3000miles ive had them. They cost me £9 each i think aswell, and the back wheel has been skidded many times.
Very nice tyres, and they come off and goes on pretty easy.

 

[spandex]

Gatorskins 23c are grate but you need to keep on top of the psi. I have had 2 punctures with them but both was from me not keeping an eye on the psi and hitting bumps. I have never had something penetrate them.

 

[aserota]

I have been running the gatorskins at 100psi, i guess it could be an idea to up this to 120psi for a while (although the ride may be a little harsh).

 

[cheadle hulme]

Gators + Rain = Death IMO.

M+ are great, I've just had my 1st puncture after 1300 or so miles. I was off road though and cycled over some barbed wire.

 

[theboytaylor]

Gators + Rain = Death IMO.

I've heard this a lot but I've had one on my front wheel all winter and, while it was a bit weird at first, I found that after a short while it "bedded in". Perhaps the factory finish is a bit too slick and they need a bit of roughing up?

Alternatively, I've got a Bonty Racelite Hardcase on the back as I couldn't get a Gator on my fairly deep rims (had two lovely blood blisters on my thumbs, mind ). That has been stable in all conditions and so far I've not had any visits from you know who (getting on for 1k miles).

I guess the first post here says it all really:-) :
http://cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=25870

 

[Crankarm]

Specialised Armadillo All Condition Pros for me. Never had a puncture with these and I cycle 150-160 miles a week. I have been using them for years. Mixture of roads, tracks and cycle paths around town which have the usual glass, stones and rubbish which I try to avoid. I keep them at about 120psi using a track pump.