Bikes & Gear

Reviews

Bike Features

Workshops

Buyers Guides

Gear Browser

Continental Ultra Gatorskin | $37.20
Change Currency What's this?

Continental Ultra Gatorskin

BikeRadar verdict

45 out of 5 stars

"Fast and robust for audax, winter training or long-distance commuting"

By Dan Joyce, Cycling Plus

Gatorskins seem to divide opinions on reliability, but if you keep them at 110-120psi and don’t run them down to the casing, they live up to Conti’s claim of being ‘the ultimate training and racing tyre where puncture protection is priority’. 

The bead-to-bead Duraskin layer makes the sidewalls slash-resistant and the aramid belt under the tread is tough for a training tyre.

It’s light and fast too, with a rolling performance not far off that of a race tyre. Wire bead versions are about 50g heavier and £3 cheaper than their folding counterparts. 

User Reviews

Post your review

  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    My tyres did not appear to be uniformly round - a bit bumpy. One was punctured by a 2mm sliver of glass, which was very disappointing.

    Good in the wet unless you are planning to use your brakes at any stage.

    Very good in the dry if there's nothing sharp about.

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    Had them for two years (2000Km) now without any puncture, or even worn the pattern is still there

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    I have just fitted a pair of 700 x 28 gatorskins to my commute hybrid it has had a huge impact!! The rolling resistance is very low compared to previous tyres (Vittoria adventure touring 700 x 35) and due to the much lower weight the acceleration of the bike is significantly better. If the puncture resistance is all it is supposed to be then a great tyre.

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    Good tyres! I have these on my mtb for road use. Had no problems over the last year and helps me keep up with the roadie groups. Used them at the weekend for a 100km off and on road challenge ride with no punctures even though most people had a puncture and I know people who have had upto 6 on that particular course.

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    Very disappointed with these tyres. They are fast, that is true but I have had two punctures in the first week of using one on my front wheel. They are also too small for my Mavic wheel and getting them on and off is very hard work (and I have strong thumbs). And no, the punctures weren't pinch punctures they were both flints that I picked out. Bad enough that I am considering ditching them when they are almost still brand new.

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    disappointing. I installed 26x1.115 slicks on my mtb commuter and had a puncture next day. Totally had 3 flats in less then 60miles, tried running 100pse recommended pressure and on 115psi - max pressure - no difference re puncture protection.

    It looks like kevlar layer is too thin to provide real protection however the tires are really fast.

    Had finally to replace them with Schwalbe Stelvio HS350 yesterday - will see how they perform

    I also have Spec all condition armadillo on my other bike - haven't had any puncture for abt 800 miles - touch wood. It's a pity they do not exist for 26inch.

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    I've had these tyres (700x25) on my training bike for the last 1200 miles and I haven't had any problems with them at all. Frankly I'd have expected a puncture by now anyway based on the distance I've ridden on them. If I'd picked out flints on the road I doubt many tyres would give guaranteed protection.

    They're fast enough so I can zoom around the awful roads I have here with enough grip in the wet and they're great in the dry.

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    Ive been running 25mm gatorskins on my hybrid commuter for months now, and have had a couple of punctures, but nothing to make me think they are bad. Bearing in mind that about 2 of the 11 miles to work is on cycle paths across country that are pretty rough going for tarmac, with a lot of gravel and debris I think 2 punctures is not too bad. even better, running them at 100psi give great performance, with a smooth ride and rocket speed. After quite a lot of miles, the tyre still looks new and I think theres a few thousand left in them yet. Highly recommended.

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    700 x 23 on a lightweight steel Roberts - quick and puncture free on my commute and dropped the crew on the Saturday club run so thumbs up from me

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    About as good as it gets - I use these on my road bike here in Nor Cal - Usually dry conditions, bad roads, gravel, lots of glass. I almost never get glass punctures now. These tires usually wear out before they are punctured. That is quite a change from previous brands. I use the 23 up front and a 28 on the rear. I don't race and I don't want my ride ruined by fixing flats. These tires deliver on these needs. Very good wear and probably the best sidewall protection that I've ever had. They are round and very well balanced compared to the other brands out there. A superb value for me and my riding needs. Keep it up Conti!

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    I fitted these in January, and rode through the rest of the winter in the wet, over rough, potholed roads, over grit and rubbish washed out in floods. No punctures in last 5 months, they ride as well as my narrower Specialized race/training tyres. I am now timetrialling on them. Very satisfactory so far, but I will need a full year on them before they get five stars.

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    cheap unreliable tire! I still can't believe how many flats I have got on it comparing to my Specialized kevlar armadillo tires!!

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    (Early review) After maybe 50 miles I love these tires. Not quite as fast as my old set (Bontrager Race Lite AC) but so far these handle great in any conditions, and its also nice to not have to worry about every little piece of debris.

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    I've run these on my sportive bike for 2 years and 3000 miles so far with no punctures or problems. Comfortable and relatively fast rolling. The are hard to get on and off, though

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    For those stuggling to get the tyres on using only their thumbs and moaning about it why not use tyres levers?

    0.3
  • User review of Continental Ultra Gatorskin

    As everyone has said these are good, puncture resistent tyres and fast for the daily commute in London. I am on 700x23c and they are really not grippy in the wet. I changed from specialized Mondos which gripped almost as well in the wet as in the dry and I never felt them move around. The Gator Skins on the other hand skip side to side over the smallest of drain covers and the rear locks very easily under braking in the wet. Big recommend for dry weather, but if you are an all year cyclist I would look for a grippier tyre, unless you like to be very timid and sliding off/

    0.3

You need to login or register to post comments.


Bad Good    

Specification

Name:
Ultra Gatorskin
Built by:
Continental
Price:
$37.20

Manufacturer's Description:
Conti's sophisticated anti puncture tyre The ultimate wire bead training & racing tyre where puncture protection is priority. Using the latest technology against flats the GatorSkin range uses an aramid breaker and Duraskin® sidewall ProTection. The Duraskin® sidewall reinforcement forms an external protective shield over the entire casing to prevent cuts, puntures and abrasions. The slick natural rubber tread is designed to perform well in wet/wintery conditions.
Weight (g):
300 g
Colour:
Black
Additional Features:
THE only tyre for your winter / high mileage bike, Aramid belt under tread , Plus Duraskin® cut-resistant layer from bead to bead , Quality German made natural rubber tread , Praised by both the press and thousands of satisfied users, Intended for high mileage winter training for serious cyclists.
Diameter:
559 mm
Max PSI:
116 psi
Tyre Sizes Available:
23-571, 23-622, 25-622, 28-559, 28-622, 32-630

Also on BikeRadar