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since 2002
Continental Gator Hardshell 700c Road Tire (Folding)

ContinentalGator Hardshell 700c Road Tire (Folding)(Return to Product Page)

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(137 customer reviews)
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User submitted reviews

Review by WiCrazyGuyOnABike

Reviewed 10/13/2023
by WiCrazyGuyOnABike
Central Wisconsin
Overall Rating
Trustworthy for long unsupported rides

I�ve ridden these Continental tires since about 2016 on a pair of road bikes (one with 23/25mm width, one with 32mm width) without a single flat, riding 2000-3000 miles a year split between them. The last set replaced still had good tread after 3750 miles, but I replaced anyhow for peace of mind just prior to a 500-600 mile road and crushed limestone /gravel bike packing trip around north central Wisconsin. I still pack a full spare tire and three spare tubes on my 7-9 day trips, but have never needed one. Long bike trips are always more enjoyable without flats!

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 10/27/2023
by Anonymous
Overall Rating
Best tires for road training

If you're looking for a tire that can put on miles and be reliable, this is the best choice, save your racing tires for an event and use this Gator Hardshell instead, you will not regret it.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by sconway

Reviewed 6/6/2020
by sconway
Cycling Enthusiast
San Francisco, CA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.
Excellent tire at a reasonable price.

When I first installed the tires on my Mavic rims, at about 60psi one popped out of the rim bead and the inner tube blew. I reseated the tire and haven't had a problem since. I really like these tires, because they fit the tight clearance my frame requires for the tread height.

I have about 500 miles on the tires now with no flats and they provide wonderful control.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Doccus

Reviewed 6/15/2023
by Doccus
Cycling Enthusiast
North Alabama
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
Lightweight and bulletproof!

I enjoy long unsupported rides. With the Continental Gator Hardshell tires, I don't have to worry about flats.

Despite their puncture resistant build, these tires are reasonably light and don't hold you back on century days.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Doug

Reviewed 9/5/2018
by Doug
Tucson AZ
Overall Rating
10 of 10 customers found this review helpful.
The best tough training tire

I live in Tucson and ride nearlt everyday. There are myriad road obstacles, debris and sharp pointy things to puncture my ride, and thats why Ive gone back to gatorskin hardshell. I rode other continental products here and while they are as road gripping on downhills and across sand and gravel, they punctured far more than the gatorskins. Ive been riding the hardshell 25's now for a year or so and see the difference in tracking and softness on the road. Weight issues dont effect me as Im not racing and the small difference doesnt seem to effect climbing mt. Lemmon or flying down the mountain on the way hime. Not too clear on the difference between hardshell and standard gatorskin but seems like the hardshell has more sidewall protection which seems to help stop rock punctures when riding on gravel ( which I do everyday to get from my house to the main road). In any case, I recommend these tires to all my friends and so far, Ive heard nothing but positive comments..

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by SNespo

Reviewed 9/7/2018
by SNespo
Cycling Enthusiast
South Bend, Indiana
Value Rating
Overall Rating
7 of 7 customers found this review helpful.
Smooth Ride

I replace my tires about once a year and have found out that the Continental Gator Hardshell works out very well for me. I got a quick delivery and the tire is very easy to put on and my bike. Thank you for your service.

Steve

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 8/24/2023
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Rochester, MN
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Great tires. Always put a new set on prior to RAGBRAI. No issues with flats!

I put them on my road bike and use them for my training rides and for RAGBRAI.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by PDXlars

Reviewed 6/24/2022
by PDXlars
Cycling Enthusiast
Beaverton, Or
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
My go to winter tire

The Continental Gator Hardshell has been my go to tire during the rainy season for several years. Rarely had a flat with them.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by 209DavidT

Reviewed 10/23/2017
by 209DavidT
Sacramento, CA
Overall Rating
12 of 12 customers found this review helpful.
Best Bike Tire Ever

The Continental Gatorskin Hardshell tire happens to be the most versatile tire ever. I use them on my road bike, commuter bike and fixed gear bike.

The tire compound rides aliitle harder than most but durability and cornering cancel the harder ride. I ride at 225 lbs and have lowered tire pressure FR to 95 psi and tires perform flawlessly! They hug the road even in wet conditions. Highly recommend for all road riding bikes.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Chuckee

Reviewed 8/1/2017
by Chuckee
Cycling Enthusiast
Kamas, Utah
Value Rating
Overall Rating
7 of 8 customers found this review helpful.
Favorite tire for years due to reliability, cornering and puncture protection.

I have used the tire for several years for both training and racing, averaging about 3500 miles per year. I don't remember the last time I had a pinch flat and have found it to be extremely puncture resistant - fulfilling the promise of increased flat protection. The tires have excellent sidewall strength and reliability, never having any issues with cracks or ruptures due to potholes, cattle guards or hitting any other obstructions. The wear indicators (two small holes on the tire tread) are reliable in indicators in determining when to change out the tire. I normally change the tires after 2000 miles regardless to be safe. Only downsides are the price and weight. I try to buy when the tires are on sale to save a few bucks since they are pretty expensive. The added weight due to the flat protection is a concern, but not overly so. I am somewhat of a weight weenie, so the concern is a psychological one, I'm sure.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Type2Dcycler

Reviewed 4/25/2017
by Type2Dcycler
Cycling Enthusiast
San Diego, CA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
6 of 8 customers found this review helpful.
Best tires ever...

I bought these Gator hard shells for a charity ride in April-May. We rode from Key West, FL. to Jacksonville, FL, over 500 miles and I had zero flats!

Everyone else on my ride had to deal with flats but they didn't have Gators...soo, get you some!!!

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 7/20/2023
by Anonymous
Competitive Racer
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Bitch to get on but then seems good

Getting the tire on a carbon deep rimmed Aerlous wheel was very difficult. Fingers crossed I don't have to deal with it out on the road.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Brian

Reviewed 6/26/2023
by Brian
Phoenix
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
No More Flats

Rides a little hard but are great at preventing flats. And they have lasted for almost 4k miles and counting

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Abunin

Reviewed 8/29/2022
by Abunin
Houston, TX
Overall Rating
Toughest Bike Tire

Gator Hardshell bike tires are the most durable around. I commute on urban streets everyday and have been doing so for a couple decades. Combined with a strong tube, I have gone up to a year without a flat or leak.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Nick H

Reviewed 9/4/2020
by Nick H
Cycling Enthusiast
Sacramento, CA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.
I have used Hardshells for years without having any problems and very few flats.

I use Hardshells on all of my wife's and my bikes, and our tandem, and have done so for years.

Good mileage and very good flat protection.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 7/21/2022
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Little Rock, AR
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
Sturdiest and most flat proof I've found.

Love that you hardly ever get flats. Wears well. Glad it folds for when you need to take an extra tire. Can tend to be a little slick in rainy weather (run at a little lower psi for this).

Hate how hard it is to remove and install if you do get a flat. I'm a small woman and I've had to resort to a tire bead jack for installation if I ever get a flat. But it doesn't happen often.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Cycle Tourist

Reviewed 7/3/2020
by Cycle Tourist
Cycling Enthusiast
Tucson, AZ
Value Rating
Overall Rating
4 of 4 customers found this review helpful.
Durable, smooth rolling road bike tire.

I've used Continental tires on my road bike for years. More recently, I've been using the Gator Hardshell folding tire, and I find that I get about 10,000 miles use from a pair of these tires. I rotate them once a year, & I ride them on a variety of terrain mountain roads, city & bike trails. I like the two 'dots' that allow me to gauge the remaining tread on the tire. I count on these tires on several tours a year, whether domestically in the U.S. or in Europe.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by KAT

Reviewed 5/21/2020
by KAT
Cycling Enthusiast
Greensboro, NC
Value Rating
Overall Rating
5 of 5 customers found this review helpful.
No Flats in Years

I'm not the best mechanic, I can change a flat - but don't like to. I ride 10K a year. I chose Gator Hardshell after wading through flats from other tire companies. I have worn out 3 sets of 'Hardshells without a single flat. Currently, I ride without a repair kit or tubes, that's how confident I am in these tires. The ratings say they aren't the fastest - but they are certainly the most reliable.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 3/16/2023
by Anonymous
Casual Cyclist
San Diego COUNTY
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Excellent tire

Easy to mount.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Matk

Reviewed 4/2/2020
by Matk
Ash Flat, AR
Overall Rating
4 of 4 customers found this review helpful.
Every day rider!

I teamed this tire up with puncture resistant tube and have only had 3 flats in about 3 1/2 years. I get about 3500 miles out of each set of the Hardshell tires

Thank you for your feedback.

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