Continental Gatorskin Tire Steel Bead (700 x 25)

I used to use gatorskins exclusively when I was a bike messenger in the first decade of the 2000s. These were the most reliable tires and were recommended by other messenger colleagues. I had tried a number of different tires before settling on gators. The big drawback is that are extremely difficult to get on and off many rims. The upside is that I rarely got flats, so once they were on, I didn't have to think much about stopping to take them off due to a falt. Usually it was at the end of the tire life, when I'd start noticing more flats, which is normal for any tire. I'd get about 6-8 months for these tires, sometimes a little longer. Keep in mind I rode approx 40-50 miles per day 5 days a week and I also rode on the weekends as my bike was my main mode of transport. I also would take the occasional long weekend 50+ mile rides with friends as well.

There are better tires out there that are lighter and more responsive, but for a reliable tire that also grips the road well, these are great if you can get around putting them on--hint: get plastic covered metal tire levers.

The Steel bead is impossible to get over the wheel. I've burnt (punctured) two tubes trying to pry the steel bead over the edge of the rim.

I CANNOT get Continental Gatorskins onto the rim, especially without ruining the tube. I have been riding and replacing tires for 40 years, and this has not happened to me before.

I was having multiple punctures when I switched to these. I have now gone over 4000 mile with out a puncture. I'm sold. I have not had trouble mounting these on my rims.

I've been riding Continental Gatorskins for the past eight or more years. I run them on both my road bikes and my wife's road bike. We live in Las Vegas where there is a lot of broken glass and other debris in bike lanes on sides of streets and on our trails. I was stopping to fix a flat every few months, which got old. Also, was not impressed quality of some of the more supple tires. The new tires that came on my Giant Defy barely made it past 1,000 miles before the cord was showing and I ended up fixing six flats in six rides. A friend recommended Gator skins and I've been riding them ever since. Have only had one puncture in over 5,000 miles or riding (a small, sharp piece of wire), and blew out the side of another after going over a sharp lip on edge of a bridge and crimping the sidewall. Furthermore, I can count on getting 4,000 miles out of a Gatorskin before they wear out.

Yes, they are a pain to get on and off the rim, but I've done it at least a dozen times now (including rotations) and only pinched one inner tube. Maybe it's because I have strong hands.