tyre life & seat

[Mile195]

Tyres wear faster on the back than the front as there's more weight on the back, and that's where all the drive is coming from.

I change mine when I notice myself getting more punctures than usual, or the tyre is very noticeably squared off and feels a bit thin when it's off the bike.

I have gatorskins at the moment and I personally think they're crap, as well as overpriced. I got far fewer punctures with Bontragers and armadillos, but everyone's got their own point of view.

 

[Schneil]

6300 miles out of my Gatorskins so far .... the rear is near the limit on the wear indicator but the front hardly looks worn.

I've got replacement Gators on standby but am considering doing a front/back swap with the current tyres to see how far they'll go. I'm not too sure about using the squared-off rear on the front though, particularly through Winter

Wear indicators on gatorskins? I've not seen any on mine or am I not looking in the right place? Could you tell me where it is? Mine were the 25c. Mine squared off at 2500 miles, but that might have been due to a wet winter and muddy mudguards.

 

[Schneil]

Wear indicators on gatorskins? I've not seen any on mine or am I not looking in the right place? Could you tell me where it is? Mine were the 25c. Mine squared off at 2500 miles, but that might have been due to a wet winter and muddy mudguards.

Ah just googled it, dots on the tyre? Will check my gatorskin Ultras when I get home.

 

[the_mikey]

My saddle is tilted ever so slightly down on all three of my road bikes.

2500 miles from my conti grand prix before they turned into puncture magnets.
I have a pair of 25c gatorskins that are very worn out but still going without a single puncture since they were fitted in 2010, easily covered more than 3500 miles now.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Front tyres will last ages, but its generally best to put
the front on the rear when the rear needs changing,
and the new tyre on the front. Rinse and repeat.

rgds, sreten.

I like Schwalbe's budget tyres, reflex, 50 t.p.i. and Kelvarguard.

 

[Hip Priest]

I used to have the seat tilted down as it was the only way I could relieve pressure on my 'delicate tissue' and avoid numbnuts. However, now I'm a bit fitter and stronger I have it level. It must be something to do with a better position or stronger core muscles or something.

 

[sittingbull]

Wear indicators on gatorskins? I've not seen any on mine or am I not looking in the right place? Could you tell me where it is?

Two dots/indentations in the tread, they are 5cm apart, here are mine after 6400 miles:

Just 3 punctures in that time and they were all in the rear, within a week (probably connected) at around the 500 mile mark.

 

[Paulus]

I have run Gators for years and I have never seen wear indicators, are you sure they are not just nicks in the tyre caused by flints or other sharp things?

 

[Doyleyburger]

I have run Gators for years and I have never seen wear indicators, are you sure they are not just nicks in the tyre caused by flints or other sharp things?

Think you could be right as the marks do not look level

 

[Hip Priest]

Think you could be right as the marks do not look level

Nope, those indented divots are definitely wear indicators. It may be that they weren't a feature on earlier Garorskins but they are now.

 

[Rustybucket]

Two dots/indentations in the tread, they are 5cm apart, here are mine after 6400 miles:

View attachment 32111

Just 3 punctures in that time and they were all in the rear, within a week (probably connected) at around the 500 mile mark.

I wondered what the holes were - I was worried I had dodgy tyres - now I know what they are for!!!!
Thanks

 

[sittingbull]

I have run Gators for years and I have never seen wear indicators, are you sure they are not just nicks in the tyre caused by flints or other sharp things?

Absolutely sure, the indents are perfectly round (when new anyway).

Think you could be right as the marks do not look level

They are not level, there is one either side of the centre line.

I've got some new Gators on standby:

 

[youngoldbloke]

Absolutely sure, the indents are perfectly round (when new anyway).

They are not level, there is one either side of the centre line.

I've got some new Gators on standby:

View attachment 32195

Mine must be worn out then - actually pretty sure they never had them - 12/18 months old?

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

6000 mile on GP4000s' and have a bit left on them yet.
Saddle is spirit level level all the way across and its uber comfy. That's on a Fizik Arione though, a previous 4ZA Stratos with a different profile was nose level but that meant a rise in the rear portion.

 

[sittingbull]

Mine must be worn out then - actually pretty sure they never had them - 12/18 months old?

Mine are about 12 months old. Maybe yours were old stock when sold? (....assuming the indents might be a recent feature - I don't know).

Not even any remnants of them on the front tyre?