Should I change both tires?

lismore7 wrote: »

Due to wear & tear, I need to replace my GP 4000 rear tire on my road bike, so have bought a new set of GatorSkins for the winter.
Although my old rear tire needs to be replaced, my front tire seems fine.
Is it best to replace both at same time or could I get away with just replacing the worn rear?

Move the good front tyre to the rear and fit a new one on the front. Continue doing this so only fitting 1 new tyre each time

lismore7 wrote: »

Due to wear & tear, I need to replace my GP 4000 rear tire on my road bike

Have you started getting punctures or does it just look worn? Mine looks worn and I'm surprised I'm not getting punctures, but it's lasted months since I first thought that. Great tyres.

GP 4000 tyres are in my opinion the best all round tyres available

custom_build wrote: »

Are gator skins a good choice for a winter tyre? They're as slippery as a butchers prick.

I rode gators through the last 5 winters without grip problems.

Mismatched tyres are fine, the front one does the steering, and the rear one does the driving so you'd not notice an imbalance between them as they're doing different jobs. However if you were railing corners on the edge of grip one will let go before the other, though either way you're going to end up on your ass if a tyre lets go at them speeds. I've a vittoria on the rear and a GP4000 on the front, seems to be doing the job for me, though the vittoria makes a noise like a car following behind me. When it wears i'll put the conti on the back, and buy something else for the front

On the MTB it's generally the done thing to put a grippier tyre on the front, and a faster, less grippy one on the rear, to avoid the front washing out from under you while cornering, because a rear slide is easier to control, though i've not experienced road tyres which such variations in grip as you'd get on an MTB

lismore7 wrote: »

Are mismatched tires safe?

yes

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I think Eamonator's tongue is firmly embedded in his cheek!

There's nothing unsafe about it but it is not aesthetically pleasing.

Just to add - I'd take Gators any day over GP4000's even if they require a bit more care in the wet. I've never had any luck with GP4000's.

Potentially worth noting that there are some cases whereby different tyres are sold in pairs with this being a pushed feature, e.g. Conti GP attack/force. YMMV as far as making your own mixes go, but just highlighting there is no rule that they must be the same.

lismore7 wrote: »

Thanks Lads.

Last question....
Seems that the Gators are getting a thumbs down for winter & wet grip.....
So with that in mind, if one was to purchase winter tires at this time of year, what are the better options?

What are your priorities?

Budget?
Speed/rolling resistance?
Puncture resistance?
Durability?

With tyres, there's often a trade off - what you gain in one area, you may lack in another. Tyres which offer best grip tend to be less durable. Puncture resistant tyres tend to be heavier and have greater rolling resistance...etc.