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Do gatorskin tyres handle badly in the wet?

  • 06-03-2013 7:20pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 601 ✭✭✭


    I have had gatorskin tyres on my bike since last summer and they have done the job I have bought them for. However on at least 5 or 6 occasions my back wheel has slide away slightly when going around roundabouts. On each occasion the surface has been wet.

    I was wondering if this problem is my fault or due to the tyres. I would point out I was not flying around the roundabouts.

    If it is a problem with the tyres then could anybody recommend a puncture resistant tyre with better handling.

    Thanks


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,278 ✭✭✭kenmc


    Some people think they do, personally I find them absolutely fine and have had no issues with them slipping, except on ice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,653 ✭✭✭sy


    Yes. Wouldn't trust them in the wet, great in dry weather. I've come down on 2 separate occasions by losing front wheel in the wet.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,243 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    I've 25mm gatorskins and have been using ehm all winter. Seem fine to me. Only act up under heavy/emergency braking but thats to be expected


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,972 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    Not in my experience they don't. Have always used them over the winters, though to be fair the summers are nearly wetter. -Either way, Gators are what I generally have on my training bike summer or winter and I find them great.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 398 ✭✭Flandria


    I don't think they handle great in the wet and I took them off this winter for that reason, but as FB said the summers are probably wetter now. I was rewarded with a couple of p***tures recently so I guess I'll probably put them back on for the 'wet' season:rolleyes::rolleyes:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 221 ✭✭karl_m


    I know the guy who serviced my bike said that gatorskins had a tendency to skid in the wet, never happened to me but have been careful.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 601 ✭✭✭alexanderomahon


    Flandria wrote: »
    I don't think they handle great in the wet and I took them off this winter for that reason, but as FB said the summers are probably wetter now. I was rewarded with a couple of p***tures recently so I guess I'll probably put them back on for the 'wet' season:rolleyes::rolleyes:

    What problems did you have?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 140 ✭✭glennbhoy


    schwalbe durano are excellent


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 398 ✭✭Flandria


    What problems did you have?

    Front wheel grip on corners in the wet was poor. It seems a fairly common problem with them as I know a few people who have said the same.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    I found them slippy in the wet alright. It's been a couple of years since I had them on, have these on the last year+ and they're fantastic. Never had a puncture and great grip. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31768

    They're on my commuter, (my only bike atm:p) Great tyres, would buy again.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,604 ✭✭✭petethedrummer


    In my day Armadillos were the skiddy ones. Instant death on a wet day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭longshank


    NO


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 156 ✭✭wotdef


    For definite. Had a fair few rear end slides in damp and wet conditions. But, hey, it does help with the bike handling skills.:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 149 ✭✭1750W


    They're not great conti gp4000s on the other hand are.

    What pressure were yo running the gator skins at?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 601 ✭✭✭alexanderomahon


    1750W wrote: »
    They're not great conti gp4000s on the other hand are.

    What pressure were yo running the gator skins at?

    At 100 ish. Pump up with track pump once a week or so


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 426 ✭✭High Nellie


    I never had any problems


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 149 ✭✭1750W



    At 100 ish. Pump up with track pump once a week or so

    I always rode my gator skins at 120. They don't come close to gp4000s in terms of grip but they're not bad.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,625 ✭✭✭happytramp


    Came off an a pair last year and broke my leg on a kerb. Not sure I can blame the tyres though, I slipped on a twig while turning. That said as soon as my leg healed I got 25mm tires with better grip.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,378 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    I've had no problems with mine in wet conditions.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    Me too, three and fifteen. Using them for the last 3 years...


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,972 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    Are gp4000s's not a race tire?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,526 ✭✭✭✭Darkglasses


    In my limited experience, yes definitely. I only have the stock Kenda tires that came with the bike to compare them to, but they handled and felt much better than the Gatorskins I've since put on them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 454 ✭✭MediaMan


    I found them slippy in the wet alright. It's been a couple of years since I had them on, have these on the last year+ and they're fantastic. Never had a puncture and great grip. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31768

    They're on my commuter, (my only bike atm:p) Great tyres, would buy again.

    I'm interested that you are recommending the Rubinos for grip. I switched to them from the stock Bontrager tires on my Trek and although I like them a lot, they are without doubt much less grippy in the wet than the Bontragers. It might be down to bad braking technique on my part, but I have had several rear-wheel skids on wet roads with the Rubinos in a few months versus none at all on the Bontragers in over two years.

    Sorry OP, can't comment on the gatorskins as I have never used them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 149 ✭✭1750W


    fat bloke wrote: »
    Are gp4000s's not a race tire?

    Yes they are but it doesn't disqualify me from using them for training or the 2 hr commute to work!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    I replaced the rear Bontrager hardcase tyre on my commuter with a Gatorskin (I'd worn a hole in the hardcase) definitely noticed less grip and this is on a biggish (28) tyre on a hybrid.

    I know a lot of people swear by them but I'd never put Gatorskins on my roadbike.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 15,812 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    Roads have been a bit greasy for the last couple of days, being wet after a long dry spell. Grip will be down on most tyres. I went for Durano Plus as a puncture resistant tyre over gatorskins as they have a name for good grip as well as puncture resistance. 25mm at 100psi seem very grippy in most conditions, though heavier than many other options.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    smacl wrote: »
    Roads have been a bit greasy for the last couple of days, being wet after a long dry spell. Grip will be down on most tyres. I went for Durano Plus as a puncture resistant tyre over gatorskins as they have a name for good grip as well as puncture resistance. 25mm at 100psi seem very grippy in most conditions, though heavier than many other options.

    I was also warned that the Bontrager Hardcases were heavy but find them an exceptionally grippy tyre.

    Perhaps there's a connection...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 127 ✭✭mp2012


    I run gatorskins at 120psi and have found them very poor recently, but this is probably down to the greasy roads as dry weather coming to an end. The last few mornings have been taking roundabouts really slow due to sliding out. Will probably replace with GP4000s next time as they seem to get good reviews here in various threads.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 15,812 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    I was also warned that the Bontrager Hardcases were heavy but find them an exceptionally grippy tyre.

    Perhaps there's a connection...

    The weight of the durano plus is down largely to the puncture resistant belt. Regular duranos (not plus) are lighter and cheaper, but don't have the same level of puncture resistance, though I'd say the grip would the same. The 25mm @100psi versus 23mm@120psi also adds weight and rolling resistance, but is more comfy and grippier.

    Horses for courses really. I do a fair number of longer solo spins in remote enough areas, so I'm happy to take on a bit of weight and drop some speed for enhanced reliability. YMMV.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,604 ✭✭✭petethedrummer




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 377 ✭✭Jocry


    Running the gatorskins too and upped the psi from 110 to 120 the other day and had the front wheel and back wheel slide out on my commute yesterday but will put that down to the bad weather - definitely made me take note for future references!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,235 ✭✭✭iregk


    The roads are particularly bad at present. I've noticed in my car that my front tyres were sliding quite a bit. I checked them thinking I needed new ones but no, they are fine, just very slippery road surface.

    On the bike I've been running Gators for about 2 years and haven't had any issues. I do find they give a little bit of drift that the GP's don't but nothing that's caused me concern.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,973 ✭✭✭De Bhál


    I have a set since last May 2012.
    Not one puncture which is great.
    Lethal in wet and/or icy conditions I find.

    I won't get another set as i have no confidence in them to keep me up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,618 ✭✭✭Civilian_Target


    Yeah, Gatorskins are a bit slidy, but they're a lot better than Marathons or Armadillos... if they've got a few 1000 kilometers on them, or if they're very skinny, what you're describing sounds about right. I run marathons on my back tyre and I also find the back slides out sometimes if I don't have a bag on the rack. I used to have gatorskins, and they did the same.

    Running them at the minimum recommended pressure helps, although obviously opens the door a bit for punctures. Continental Ultras are better, but have punctured on me - Gatorskins don't. If you can find a tyre with a re-enforced sidewall that's not slippery, let me know!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,041 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    I had the Gatorskins a couple of years ago but had to get rid of them - absolutely no confidence in them in the wet. The back wheel tended to step out of line regularly. Never had that problem with any other brand.

    (Good puncture resistance though.)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 289 ✭✭uphillonly


    Although GP4000s are supposed to be race tyres, I get no punctures through the winter on them so no longer bother switching to a supposed tougher training tyre for the winter.

    They do cost a little more but excellent grip, long wearing & puncture resistance make them worth it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 364 ✭✭Konkers


    uphillonly wrote: »
    Although GP4000s are supposed to be race tyres, I get no punctures through the winter on them so no longer bother switching to a supposed tougher training tyre for the winter.

    They do cost a little more but excellent grip, long wearing & puncture resistance make them worth it.

    +1

    I've had the same set of GP4000s on the bike since last April. Have had one or two punctures and there are a fair few nicks on them but grip and wear and tear are second to nothing else. Would not buy anything else.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 601 ✭✭✭alexanderomahon


    Spoke with reps for continental at cycle show today and seemed to accept gatorskins have some degree of problem in wet, but these tend to be slight slip rather than complete lose of grip.

    Anyway they claim their new grand prix gt combines best of both. It does not appear to be out in the main distribution networks yet (wiggle, chainreaction etc) But here is a link to it.
    http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/race/racetyres/grand_prix_PT/grand_prix_PT_en.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 62 ✭✭LiamOSullivan


    I've had my rear wheel slide a fair few times with gators, but never the front. (Yet, at least...)

    In future, I'm not sure I'll buy another set. I've not had a single puncture with them, but from what I've read here and elswhere, I'd get the same with more grip from other tyres.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 751 ✭✭✭Arthurdaly


    There is certainly a compromise on grip with gatorskins but on the plus side punctures are rare in my experience. I've had the back end slip a few times.

    I think you need to readjust your thinking and riding slightly and you will be fine, some common sense. Don't race around roundabouts or corners In the wet, avoid paint and manhole covers like the plague!

    On the plus side I am never on the side of the road replacing tubes in the cold and wet which is my priority.

    Now if there is a tyre out there that has the same puncture resistance and better grip I'd love to know.


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  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 15,812 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    Arthurdaly wrote: »
    Now if there is a tyre out there that has the same puncture resistance and better grip I'd love to know.

    Haven't had a puncture as yet on the Durano plus, or a bad skid. Following a similar thread last year I decided against Gatorskins for grip, and marathons for weight. The Durano plus seems like a good trade off, and has worked well for me. YMMV.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 715 ✭✭✭Agent Smyth


    Have used Armadillos,Gatorskins and now on Hardshells. all three tyres are great training/commuting tyres. The Contis are a better ride then the Armdillos but this might have changed since I last used them in 2008 as they improved them since then. The Hardshells are Contis best puncture Resistance tyre with good levels of grip in the wet and if you go for the folding version there fairly light (230gms).


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