Need new set of tires. Anyone have experience with either. both seem to be reviewed well on Amazon.
Thanks!
I train on Gatorskins in the winter. I’ve had the same ones for a couple of years. I do most of my winter riding on the trainer (with a different rear wheel and tire) so I don’t know exactly how many miles I have on them, but they have plenty of miles left. They feel incredibly slow to me, and my files of routes I ride year round back that data. There’s a ton of info on their rolling resistance if you search. It’s not good. No way I’d race on them, but I’ve never had a flat with them either. IMO, it depends on what you’re going to use them for.
No experience with the Michelin pro4 Endurance.
X2 on training on gatorskins. They last forever and they’ve got great flat protection.
They’re sloooooow though. I’d also never race on them.
I train on Gatorskins in the winter. I’ve had the same ones for a couple of years. I do most of my winter riding on the trainer (with a different rear wheel and tire) so I don’t know exactly how many miles I have on them, but they have plenty of miles left. They feel incredibly slow to me, and my files of routes I ride year round back that data. There’s a ton of info on their rolling resistance if you search. It’s not good. No way I’d race on them, but I’ve never had a flat with them either. IMO, it depends on what you’re going to use them for.
No experience with the Michelin pro4 Endurance.
Mostly training for and then racing austin 70.3. would the continental 400s be a better option?
They have been great in training, but would never use on my race wheels. I cannot believe how much slower I am using them.
.
Been running the Michelin pro4 endurance since IMMOO last year. 700x23. Great wear and durability. Good feel. Wasn’t sure about RR other than I read, although, I won my AG on them in a sprint and 1/2 early in this year. Just switched to Cont 4000s two weeks ago and PR’d a favorite sprint tri but did have a flat afterwards (looks like a pinch after hitting a pot hole). If I were to just train I would pick the Michelin. They seem to be a “fast” training tire. The Contis must be faster but who wants to flat? These are my first Contis so the verdict is not in yet on them, though, I still plan to use them for IMMOO this year.
I’m probably going to curse myself here, but yes, the 4000 is a better racing tire. I keep them on my training wheels as well in the summer. I rarely flat, and I’ve never flatted one that I would consider new enough to race. There are countless threads on the 4000’s aero and rolling resistance properties. If you dig, I’m sure you can find how much faster it is.
Edit: I live in Round Rock and have ridden the Austin 70.3 course you’re training for. It’s rough, but I’d still race it on 4000s with latex tubes and sealant. I’ve removed many latex tubes that never flatted but had been punctured a couple times and sealed without me ever knowing. Don’t try them for the first time in a race, though. Mounting them, for some people, is difficult, but it’s something you get used to quickly.
I’m a big fan of the pro4 endurance’s. I’ve got about 4000+ miles on my rear 25c (175 lbs) and it looks like it still has plenty of life left, the 23 up front looks like it may last forever. I ride over chipseal, gravel, glass sigh and the tires have no cuts in them. The only flat i’ve gotten was a piece of metal that i imagine would have flatted just about any tire. I also find them to be a more comfortable tire than the gp4000.
Pro4 Endurance are great long lasting race tires. Gatorskins are way heavier and slower. I race Pro4 and Pro4 Endurance on race wheels for the flat-protection and have been really pleased with them. They feel very similar to Pro4’s and last a long time.
Gatorskins are good for training but not for racing. Also, these are very different tires, which I think is pretty clear from this thread.
those gatorskins are like a gardenhose, they are a winter tire. The 4000 is fine to train or race on, it’s a great tire and a good value
Great experience with Michelin Pro4 Endurance tires - durable and feel good. Trained on them all winter and even raced on them a few times with no flats. I’d also recommend the Michelin Pro4 Service Course; I race and train on them during the summer, have never experienced any problems, and they feel really fast. I have Gatorskins on my commuter road bike and those are extremely flat resistant but noticeably sluggish. Garden hose is a good analogy.