Just received a notice that a road that’s a main part of the bike course (14 mile) has just been chip sealed. Thinking Gatorskins may be appropriate. Is there an increased risk of flats on fresh chip and seal, or is it just a rough ride?
I wouldn’t have thought so. I’ve race IM New Zealand many times and most of the course is chip seal rough. I run racing tubs that have a latex tube with sealant and I’d be doing the same with clinchers. A Gatorskin is going to be slow. If you want a fast set up you want a wider supple tyre and run a lower pressure. Most flats I’ve had has been from glass, wire or the like so your risk of puncture shouldn’t be that great IMO…
Just a rough ride. I’d actually shy away from something like Gatorskins as I find they tend to be a little less comfortable in general. Not to mention slow rolling. When I’m riding on chipseal around here I find Specialized Turbo Cottons to be the most comfortable. But YMMV.
I remember one ride on chipseal where one guy in the group had Gatorskins. He was having a tough time staying comfortable, so he was keeping his wheels on the thin band of smooth concrete on the edge of the road. The problem is that the concrete band was filthy, covered in debris.
Everyone on supple racing tires was fine. The Gatorskins dude got a puncture.
It depends on how recently the road was sealed, and how well it was swept. Part of my regular route was chip sealed last year, and I made the mistake of riding it shortly after the first sweep. There were a lot of loose chips pinging off my wheels and going flying. I avoided that section for a few weeks until it had been swept again (after which it was fine).
I don’t think they are warranted; I ride these types of roads in Texas all the time with GP 4000sii with no major issues other than the typical discomfort associated with them. 14 miles isn’t too long…probably just consider 25mm with slightly less PSI
Just received a notice that a road that’s a main part of the bike course (14 mile) has just been chip sealed. Thinking Gatorskins may be appropriate. Is there an increased risk of flats on fresh chip and seal, or is it just a rough ride?
Gatorskins are never appropriate! 
Seriously, I ride GP4000sII year round. A lot of the roads I ride are poor and one or other part of my routes regularly include chip and seal sections over the past few years. I average about 1 puncture per year and have never gotten one on chip seal. Probably no need to change tyres, but if you were to do so, I’d stick with something soft and wide rather than a hard, slow Gatorskin.
It depends on how recently the road was sealed, and how well it was swept. Part of my regular route was chip sealed last year, and I made the mistake of riding it shortly after the first sweep. There were a lot of loose chips pinging off my wheels and going flying. I avoided that section for a few weeks until it had been swept again (after which it was fine).
What this guy experienced happened to me too. Fresh chip seal (not even the first round of sweeping) for me I ran into on one of my regular routes. Nearly wiped out because I was taking a righthand turn at speed and didn’t know it was there until it was too late. But, the tires were just fine for me. Can’t remember what I was running at the time but I think it was Continental 4Seasons which is pretty much a GP4000s with a reinforced sidewall.
Don’t think I’ve ever had a puncture on chip seal, despite how rough and awful it feels. I’ve always assumed that the small sharp shards of glass/flints that can cause punctures end up between the chips, thus you don’t ride directly over them.
That said I still ride GP4k/5k on chip seal as I don’t think there is real benefit on a Corsa speed or similar and I suspect it is very wearing on the tyre.
Chip and seal really sucks but go with your race tire and deal with the bumps. The chance of a puncture because of the chip and seal is very small.
Want you want is a wide supple tire and low pressure.
Gatorskins are about the LAST tire you want. Chip seal isn’t a puncture hazard but it’s definitely a very rough ride so you need something that rolls well and slightly lower pressure than normal. If it’s only part of the course you’ll need to consider the tradeoffs but there should be a decent compromise.
Corsa Speed tubeless or Conti 5000 tubeless on low air pressure should be the ticket. I did a couple of century rides, about half of each were on chip sealed roads, using Corsa Speed 23mm tubeless pumped up to 68 psi, and the ride quality was superb.
As mentioned, chipseal isn’t going to increase your puncture chances. It’s just a rough ride. So as also has been mentioned, you want low crr tires and lower pressures, so bigger tires. I’d definitely do 28mm if you can fit them on your frame. Then if you can I’d do a few tests to figure out what pressure will be the fastest for your on that specific chipsealed road. When I know I’m going to be riding on rough chipseal I run 60psi on gp 5000 28mm tires on ENVE wheels. So smooth.
I don’t think they are warranted; I ride these types of roads in Texas all the time with GP 4000sii with no major issues other than the typical discomfort associated with them. 14 miles isn’t too long…probably just consider 25mm with slightly less PSI
This. I ride the same crappy TX roads and my GP 4000sii tires have been great. Never flatted in 20+ races on them, average less than a flat a year in training. And yes, I realize I just jinxed myself.
Boring response to echo all above, but another person that is NZ based and so rides chipseal most of the time. For racing over the last 10 years I’ve used Vittoria Corsas clinchers with latex tubes. The tubes make a big difference to feel and I would say pace based on relative times, albeit I’ve never been bothered to do formal power testing on them. I just believe the data from those that have and my ‘feel’.
I will say that those tyres do look pretty shredded after 200kms on them, albeit I’ve then used for training / B races without incident after.
Corsa Speed tubeless or Conti 5000 tubeless on low air pressure should be the ticket. I did a couple of century rides, about half of each were on chip sealed roads, using Corsa Speed 23mm tubeless pumped up to 68 psi, and the ride quality was superb.
Totally agree except personally I’d skip the tubeless hassle and go with latex tubes, but either should be good. 23mm up front and 25mm rear, with fairly low pressures.
No tubeless hassle for me. Set up was as easy as pie. Zero issues.
Go with the widest, supplest tire you can run at the lowest safe pressure you can run. Latex tubes or tubeless if either are an option for you.
That’s the same thing I would do.