ContinentalSprinter Gatorskin Tubular Tire(Return to Product Page)
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(64 customer reviews)
I use mine on my road bike with 60mm carbon wheels, I use glue tape and a sealant, have never had a flat with this set up. I run 90psi and get a very comfortable ride. I get around 1100 to 1200 miles on a rear tire, change it out and get another 1000 to 1100 then change out the front and back. I doubt if I will ever use any other brand.
A few hundred miles on this tire, so far. The Sprinter Gatorskin is a solid training tire that holds pressure well. I check the pressure once a week. Usually only needs a few pounds of air. Road grip has been good, gluing it up was as it should be (pre stretch, of course!). I take one star off for 2 reasons. 1 there's nothing exciting about the road feel of this tire. It doesn't feel nimble, supple or inspired. Which leads to 2. Price. While they aren't in the top range of pricing, they aren't inexpensive. I'd expect a little more inspired ride from this price range. We'll see how long they last. That could go a long way to changing my opinion here. 4 stars.
First of all. I think the puncher resistance design worked. I've been riding with this tire for about 1000 km. I live in southern California where you get dustsandpuncher a lot on the open road. I inspect my time weekly. I have noticed several tiny holes on the tire. I even found a small piece of glass sticked into the tire. However, the tire was still good. No flat. Hope it will hold onto this performance in the future.
This tire is not as stable as the one from s-works. The purple color finish on side of the tire doesn't look good to me.
Anyway, overall I think this is a good entry level tire.
I've been riding these for 5 years, they have never let me down even on rides over 200 miles. Not the greatest tire in the wet, or particularly good cornering tire, but extremely durable. I inflate them to 115-120psi, to keep the ride a bit more comfortable, as I'm 195lbs. I use Tufo gluing tape and have never had a separation problem.
The Contintental Tubular Gatorskin is a durable, longer lasting and fast tire for weight and costs. The reasonable pricing makes this tire a deal! They wear well on rougher road as well as rolling extremely fast on smooth surfaces.
Remember these tires must be pre stretched before applying to rim.
I have bought and used many Gatorskin tires. They feel secure but not a racing tire . However, the major reason for replacing this tire is not due to an accidental puncture ,but due to significant bulging of tire (usually around the valve ) which makes the ride bumpy and risking a blowout (which has happened when i try to delay replacing tire ). Usually by about 5000km.
I was using the basic Continental and Vittoria tubulars for years, but getting too many punctures that I had to repair. Tread wore down quickly, especially on the Conti.
I switched to the Gator Sprinters last year and have not had a single flat despite a full year of hard fixed-gear training rides. They hold pressure well and feel responsive on hard cornering. Tread wear has been minor. For the small additional price, well worth it.
If you are an avid cyclist riding on tubulars, these are by far the best tires for everyday training and recreational riding. Comfortable ride, bomb proof, and long lasting. All I can say the are worth the price.
I had been running Conti Competition and thought I'd try the Sprinter out over the winter for training.
Bought the 25 mm to match newer, wider rim and have been running it on the back since gluing it up.
VERY comfortable tire, corners well and hasn't shown signs of wear after hours on the trainer and quite a bit of road wear.
I'm very pleased, and probably won't be spending almost double on Competition's if the Sprinter's are all as consistent as my first.
Bought this as a high-mileage training (everything is training) tubular. Have not put enough mileage on it to know if will last as well as the gatorskin clinchers that I have used in the past. However, did notice immediately that the tire is very well-made and balanced. Cheaper tubulars are often unbalanced and this causes some wobble or bump when descending. Also, this tire can take pressure up to 170 psi which is awesomely high.
After a very long break from road cycling, I recently restored two classic Italian frames from the ground up. Having been out of the game for about 30 years, my mechanic highly encouraged me to go with the Continental Gatorskin. I'm sort of old school in that I used to ride only on tubulars. These days, it seems there are fewer tubular choices. Nevertheless, following extensive research, I went with my mechanic's recommendation. Fast forward about 4 months and following a good amount of riding, I am very happy with these tires. They perform beautifully! Try them, you will like it!
Excellent product. I have use other brands but I always get back to Contis, they are the best tires in my experience. I wish they would last longer and be less expensive but other wise great product.
Finally found a tubular I can trust! Being new to tubulars I went with another brand. Had troubles right off the bat with small punctures but was able to patch with sealant, however that was problematic as it gunked up my valve stems making it hard to put air in the tire eventually. Finally had to walk home about 8 miles and that did it! Replaced with these and several hundred miles later no probs whatsoever! I still carry sealant but haven't had to use it yet. I ride both clinchers and tubulars and will be buying Continentals for both now!
I am 200lb triathlete using these in 25mm for racing 40K. Very nice looking tire. However, at 22-23mph they get noisy and the front one had a vibration un-attributable to the wheel or road. I was only running them at 135psi. Any higher than that and much worse. Avoid these for race speeds.
