conti gatorskins

[princeperch]

treated myself to a set of these for the allez this weekend. Evans wanted £23 each and price matched them to £19 each.

I was fed up to the back teeth of getting flats from the terrible mondo tyres that came as standard. These conti's look the business from first impressions.

However they were a total git to get on, and I ended up making a hole in the front inner when removing it as it had seemed to have bonded itself to the tyre. When they were on, I noticed that they had a rotation direction on the side - and naturally the 1 in 2 chance I had of getting it right did not show. So I had to do it all again. At this point I then naturally snapped one of my tyre levers.

Princeperch's top tip for getting a git of a tyre on the rim - use lots of washing up liquid.

Unfortunately and to top it all off I also got a flat on the brompton today - the schwarbe marathons are also a complete git to get on and off.

Better stock up on persil...

[OneDs]

Seems to be the normal case on the 26" for a conti gatorskin. They are very very tight, most tyres I need a couple of levers to get off these I needed 4 and I have two metal ones that won't break so I use those first. Plus these are the only tire that I can't get back on with my bare hands.

Had one or two punctures over the course of two years on them but nothing in comparison to others, plus the speed is the major advantage.

[BliarOut]

Are you running the wire beads or the fold ups?

[OneDs]

They only come in wire on the 26" versions, there that tight I'm not sure the wire/folding would make any difference, I just think it's down to such a small carcass on a wide rim.

Edited by OneDs on Monday 18th October 10:27

[BliarOut]

OneDs said:

They only come in wire on the 26" versions, there that tight I'm not sure the wire/folding would make any difference, I just think it's down to such a small carcass on a wide rim.

Edited by OneDs on Monday 18th October 10:27

Ah, I'm not sure if you're aware, but the knack with wires is to ensure the diametrically opposite part of the tyre is pressed into the centre of the rim as it effectively reduces the dia of the wheel

Edited by BliarOut on Monday 18th October 11:01

[mrandy]

im using these for winter and they went on easily,thumbs only no tools required

[louiebaby]

mrandy said:

im using these for winter and they went on easily,thumbs only no tools required

You're a liar. They're an absolute we of a tyre to get on and off. Or you're Superman.

I find Armadillo's to be easier to get on and off... As yet I'm unsure as to which is better...

[okgo]

you just need to be a bit strong.

I've come accross no tougher tyre than a bontrager hardcase and its still doable with levers and no washing up liquid.

[walm]

okgo said:

you just need to be a bit strong.

I've come accross no tougher tyre than a bontrager hardcase and its still doable with levers and no washing up liquid.

I found the hardcases ok but the conti ultras a TOTAL AND UTTER bh.
I nearly gave up and used levers.
Never use levers - cost me more in inner tubes than paying for Evans to do it at £50 a pop or whatever.
Gatorskins were easier than Ultras for sure.

[mrandy]

louiebaby said:

mrandy said:

im using these for winter and they went on easily,thumbs only no tools required

You're a liar. They're an absolute we of a tyre to get on and off. Or you're Superman.

I find Armadillo's to be easier to get on and off... As yet I'm unsure as to which is better...

an old trick when using tubs and can be used on normal tyres is to put your foot on the tyre pull hard a few times and stretch it before putting it on the rim

[Pupp]

Another one here that has had real problems mounting UGs (on 650c Velocity Deep V rims)... quite the worst tyre fitting jobe I've ever had to do and that includes many years of doing motorcycle tyres, both road and MX. No way without very robust levers.... tips are start opposite the valve, use a thin cloth rim tape (not a placcie one), and see if the rim has a well that is deeper on one side (the Velocities do). Still a bh 'though

[walm]

I blame this thread entirely.
First bloody puncture on my gatorskins this morning, middle of Putney Bridge, oh joy.

Anyway - seemed to pop back on ok although I was fairly angry so may have had super strength thumbs temporarily.