logella wrote:
303's and Gators is my everyday setup. Knock on wood but I can't remember the last time I flatted.
I've ridden Conti GP4000s, GP4000sII, and Michelin Pro4SC for the last 2.5years. I believe I've had a single puncture on the GP4000s in that time. I rode Gatorskin Hardshells for about a year when I started riding about 6.5years ago and had 3 or 4 punctures on them. Between the Gatorskins at the start and the faster tyres in recent years I used Conti 4 Seasons for about 3 years. I had 2 or 3 punctures on those. Oh, at one point I used Mavic Yksion Pro tyres briefly (they came on a new bike) and I had no punctures on those either.
So anecdotally Gatorskin Hardshells have been my most puncture prone tyres by a significant margin (approx 3 per year) with the 4 Seasons being about 1 puncture per year and faster, comfier, more enjoyable tyres (if we group them together) being about 0.4 punctures per year. Now, that's not evidence, it's just my experience. There's a big element of luck involved but also I expect, experience reduces likelyhood of punctures. I think at least one and probably two of the Gatorskin punctures were pinch punctures. With experience you learn what pressures are appropriate and possibly more importantly to avoid drains/potholes or take the load off the tyres momentarily if you can't avoid them. I haven't had a pinch puncture on any of the other tyres but I doubt the tyre type had anything to do with it. I ride in all conditions, very often in the wet, and often on poor quality roads.
In my opinion, tyres like Gatorskins may reduce puncture frequency under some conditions but they're not the major factor and they're not worth it. If I was commuting on debris strewn roads, got no enjoyment from cycling, had no concerns about grip, speed or comfort and my only priority was to minimise likelihood of a puncture, I MIGHT use Gatorskins. But I don't think I'm ever likely to use them again voluntarily.
