Continental Gatorskin road tyre review

This is the most popular 700×23 road tyre in the UK, according to Continental. So the law of averages might explain the tyre’s critics. We’ve never had any problem with Gatorskins, so long as they’re kept topped up. They grip fine, roll very well, and they’re tough through the tread, thanks to a polyester breaker strip underneath.

The sidewalls are more vulnerable, despite a bead-to-bead Duraskin mesh, but we’ve never torn them on the road. The wire bead version is £5 cheaper. Given the kind of grimy winter bike this tyre might end up on, that option represents keener value.