Continental

I'm new to the game of tubulars (sew-ups) and have been looking for a more puncture proof tire. I had been using Vittoria clinchers so I thought I'd try their tire. What a disaster! The Vittoria's didn't last and even worse were their valve stems. They were too big to fit through the rim--nuts! I put on the Gatorskin and perfect. They seem to have superior quality and to me they roll far better.. Subsequently, I found out that Vittoria moved to Asia for manufacturing while the Gatorskin is still made in Germany. That's a pretty good bet that the environment is better off. I will buy more of these.

I got these after using the Grand Prix Continentals, which run beautifully, but are pretty vulnerable to bits of glass and other puncturing objects. So far, these have lasted well, but still peddle very well. I ride daily on the local bike trails, most of which are paved if a bit bumpy, with unpaved (gravel and crushed rock) intervals. I ride one of the old Raleigh Technium mountain bike, but with these narrow, high-pressure tires because I don't generally go off-road, and, besides, there are no mountains in Illinois!

700x32 replaced a same size Specialized Pathfinder Pro on the rear - so far only about 150 miles, but gotta say it's phenomenally low rolling resistance - running at ~50psi tubeless for ~160# bike & rider. Using a pull-over tool it was easy to install - might have got by with just levers. Primarily pavement, but have dabbling in a bit of gravel & hardpack make me confident to ride them through whatever I encounter. Very pleased so far. Unbeatable on sale at BTD $170 for two delivered to my front door!

I live in downtown Las Vegas, and there's a lot of debris in these streets. I used to get a puncture flat almost every ride (I was on Schwalbe Marathons). I hated it, made me want to stop cycling. I wanted the absolute best puncture protection, and the Continental Gator Hardshell tire delivered. Since installing these, I haven't had any flat tires (7 rides so far). I got the 32mm width, 70psi helps avoid punctures too. Some say these tires don't have good road feel since they're thicker and heavier. I say a tire that holds air feels better than one that doesn't.