xcrogers wrote:
I train outside 2-3 times a year and when I do, I use set of aluminum rims with gatorskins. Race wheels/tires are only used on race day, and I only race 2-3 times a year.I would recommend using the better tyres that are just taking up space by the sounds of it, in place of those Gatorskins for whatever outdoor rides you do. Gatorskins are never the right choice in my opinion. I used them for a time when I knew no better. They were no better for punctures and were much less enjoyable to ride than the Conti GP4000s, GP4000sII, GP 4 Seasons, Michelin Pro4 SC, and Mavic Ypsion(?) tyres that I used in subsequent years. Do you actually get punctures, or do you just worry about them? I have averaged less than one a year for the last 5 years using GP4000s and GP4000sII for the majority of my riding, with the rest on the Michelins. And I've done the vast majority of my training outdoors so I've often had several thousand kilometers between punctures (which even then only take a few minutes to fix).
In reality you will never wear out the three sets of "race" tyres you have on hand. You may as well train on them and enjoy your outdoor rides as much as possible and then bin them if/when they do wear out.