Do gatorskin tyres handle badly in the wet?

alexanderomahon · 06-03-2013 08:20PM #1

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

kenmc · 06-03-2013 08:28PM

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

sy · 06-03-2013 08:32PM

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.

godtabh · 06-03-2013 08:37PM

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

fat bloke · 06-03-2013 08:47PM

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.

Flandria · 06-03-2013 08:52PM

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:

karl_m · 06-03-2013 08:53PM

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.

alexanderomahon · 06-03-2013 08:54PM

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?

glennbhoy · 06-03-2013 09:33PM

schwalbe durano are excellent

Flandria · 06-03-2013 09:47PM

alexanderomahon wrote: »

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.

Alanstrainor · 06-03-2013 09:51PM

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.

petethedrummer · 06-03-2013 09:55PM

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

longshank · 06-03-2013 10:11PM

NO

wotdef · 06-03-2013 10:37PM

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

1750W · 06-03-2013 10:43PM

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

What pressure were yo running the gator skins at?

alexanderomahon · 06-03-2013 10:49PM

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

High Nellie · 06-03-2013 10:57PM

I never had any problems

1750W · 06-03-2013 11:04PM

alexanderomahon wrote: »

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.

happytramp · 06-03-2013 11:07PM

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.

jimmycrackcorm · 06-03-2013 11:11PM

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

cdaly_ · 06-03-2013 11:16PM

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

fat bloke · 07-03-2013 01:17AM

Are gp4000s's not a race tire?

Darkglasses · 07-03-2013 01:22AM

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.

MediaMan · 07-03-2013 01:23AM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

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.

1750W · 07-03-2013 08:14AM

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!

rollingscone · 07-03-2013 08:47AM

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.

smacl · 07-03-2013 08:47AM

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.

rollingscone · 07-03-2013 10:05AM

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...

mp2012 · 07-03-2013 10:24AM

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.

smacl · 07-03-2013 10:50AM

rollingscone wrote: »

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.

petethedrummer · 07-03-2013 11:39AM

mp2012 wrote: »

but this is probably down to the greasy roads as dry weather coming to an end.

+1

http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2012/10/oregon_commuters_get_ready_fir.html
http://www.myvalleyweather.com/content/news/story/Roads-Are-More-Slick-After-a-Dry-Period/YeprEoIwIkyNdXobE_XlQw.cspx

Do gatorskin tyres handle badly in the wet?

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