Continental Ultra

I bought these tires to replace the Continental 23c 4000's that I loved. I really think the 4000s were the best tires I've ever used on my bike for decades. Great tires. But, since I ride streets and trails around town where there seems to be an ever increasing amount of broken glass, I thought I'd try the Gatorskins and up the size a little to the max recommended for my rims, 28c.My immediate thought within yards on my first ride with them was that they were obviously a heavier tire and that they seemed a "harder" tire. A little harsher ride. However, I realized that I'd inflated them to the same psi that I used on the narrower 4000s. On my next ride I adjusted the psi down from 80 front, 90 back, to 75/80 and that helped some.I've gotten used to them after a couple of months riding, but they're still an obviously heavier tire. But, I don't notice it as much now.My original reason for buying them was extra flat protection. I have been very happy with the extra confidence I have when I ride of small particles of glass. I still try to avoid glass and I still hold my glove over the rotating tires after running over glass, but I do not really worry about it as much now. So, overall I'd recommend them for that extra confidence. And, they do seem to give a slightly more comfortable ride in the larger size and lower inflation.

Just wow!! So I’m a heavier rider & do roughly 60 miles a week on my bike. My bike has Giant SR4 tires 700x25c. Super light performance tires but I think I weighed too much for them tires because Every time I went on a ride I’d catch a flat within 2 miles in! It took 6 tubes till I got fed up and upgraded to these gatorskins and also went wider to a 28mm tire and I can’t make this up! The confidence I have on my bike now is a great feeling! These tires ride soooo much smoother, handle much much better especially in wet riding and here’s the big surprise! My avg speed is 16mph vs 13mph! They are faster then the lighter tire! Hmmm.. The bike feels completely different and I’m so glad I went this direction with tires instead of GP 5000s!I have done 96 miles on these tires and record holding zero tube replacements! I also replaced the rim tape with a high quality specialized tape same time!

This will be short and simple because this is a great commuter tire. Why? Because the tire is designed to be puncture resistant and, it roles well. It is also easy to mount. I put this tire and tube on the rear without tools.Will I eventually get a flat? Yes, because I have to ride the shoulder of the streets/roads in the city I live in. Bike trails are few and far between and the city makes no real attempt to sweep/clean its' roads and shoulders regularly. As long as I am able to negotiate my way around nails, bolts, sharp metal, large stones, and glass I'll be OK.I'm using a Gatorskin 700/28mm tire on the rear and a Gatorskin 700/25mm on the front. Remember to get a descent inner tube that matches the size of the tires you're using. I feel comfortable with Continental tubes.There are no 'cons' and I highly recommend these to any commuter. Good Luck!!Remember to carry a patch kit and a one dollar bill. If you slice the side of your tire, fold the bill and slide it between the inner tube and the tire casing and center the folded bill over the cut. Inflate the tire until you see a slight bulge where the tile casing was cut and slowly ride home or to your ride. Try to stay off your seat.

I usually wait a couple months before commenting, but not in this case. I ordered these Gaterskins a week ago and will give my initial observations. First, I was expecting to receive them on a Saturday and they arrived on the Tuesday prior. Very quick for standard shipping. Second, I was expecting to have a difficult time mounting them but not so, I spent less then 5 minutes per rim. aA suggestion, Start at the valve, put a small amount of air in the tube so it gets its round and install it once the first bead is in. As for the tire itself, I replaced some almost new Schwalbe Lugano 700x25c tires that I got 3 punctures on in two 20 mile rides with these Gaterskins in a 700x 28c size on my Cannondale Synapse. What a difference in comfort, speed and road feel on my first ride yesterday. I rode over the same roads I road two days before and the difference was like night and day and no flats. To top it off they look very nice in my bike. That is my inicial review, but will follow up in about a thousand miles.

First of all these tires looks pretty cool. I bought the folding 700x28c so it is REALLY LIGHT! I'm surprised how light it is. These are VERY DIFFICULT TO INSTALL! For about an hour I was drowning in despair because I thought it doesn't fit and I have to return them. Maybe because being a cyclist, you know, I don't have much upper body strength... But after the despair I thought fk it I'm just gonna use all my strength and do it and I finally slid those in. Here is how I did it: 1) I do the standard one side -> inner tube -> half the other side method first. 2) For the last half, I gradually slid them in until the last quarter is still out. 3) I used 2 levers, insert them about 5 cm from either end of the out section, and pull those levers at the same time with the same (maximum) strength, and they will slid in (sometimes with a BAM). That being said, if you feel it is real hard, have a professional or a rock climber to do it.Compatible bike: Specialized Allez E5 Sport.ps. There are two dots like other reviews. These two dots are wear indicators!! Conti does this to all tires. Basically if the dots are invisible then u should replace the tires