Gatorskin or Gator Hardshell?

Both are Continental’s tough road tyres with 180 TPI casings and DuraSkin sidewall protection. The Gatorskin uses the PolyX Breaker. The Gator Hardshell’s Hardshell ProTection adds a wider PolyX Breaker under the tread centre and the shoulders, on a three-ply carcass (each layer 60 TPI) that covers the whole tyre; Continental calls Hardshell its puncture-resistant flagship among racing tyres. It weighs a little more: 345 g against 320 g in 700x25 wire bead (Continental). Daily commuting on glass-strewn roads: Hardshell; tough training with a lighter feel: Gatorskin.

Gatorskin: foldable or wire bead?

Same PolyX Breaker, DuraSkin sidewalls and 3/180 TPI casing; the foldable version is lighter and easier to carry as a spare. Continental’s figures: 250 g foldable against 320 g wire in 700x25, and 290 g against 365 g in 700x28.

What is the Gatorskin Black Edition?

The same Gatorskin — PolyX Breaker on a 3/180 TPI casing with DuraSkin sidewall reinforcement — with the DuraSkin fabric in restrained black instead of the usual brown mesh (Continental). It is made with a foldable bead only, and the catalogue lists the same claimed weights as the foldable Gatorskin: 250 g in 700x25.

Can I run this Continental tyre tubeless?

No. Continental lists it as a tube-type tyre, so use it with an inner tube. If you want tubeless, look for Continental’s TR (Tubeless Ready) models, such as the Grand Prix 5000 S TR or AS TR on the road.

CONTINENTAL Gatorskin Rigid Road Tyre

Black

€33,99

Tax Included
EU Destination Selected (Spain)

+3 units in stock

The essentials

Best for

Commuting
Winter training
Touring

CONTINENTAL Gatorskin Rigid Road Tyre - Black

Technologies

Specifications

Puncture protection	PolyX Breaker
Sidewall	DuraSkin
TPI	180
Tubeless	Tube type (clincher, for inner tubes)
Bead	Foldable or wire (see listing)
Weight 700x23 (claimed)	310 g wire
Weight 700x25 (claimed)	250 g foldable · 320 g wire
Weight 700x28 (claimed)	365 g wire
Weight 700x32 (claimed)	355 g foldable · 425 g wire

PolyX Breaker

A tightly cross-woven polyester breaker, brought over from Continental’s car tyres. Continental says the very high fabric density makes it resistant to foreign bodies and especially to punctures, without affecting rolling resistance.

DuraSkin

A high-quality polyamide fabric that protects the tyre’s sidewall. Continental designs it for the harshest conditions — kerbs on commuter bikes, rough roads on tour, endurance races such as Paris–Roubaix — and it is recognisable by its characteristic brown mesh sidewall.

CONTINENTAL Gatorskin Rigid Road Tyre - Black

Compare with

	CONTINENTAL Gatorskin Rigid Road Tyre - BlackThe Gatorskin is Continental’s road tyre for tough conditions — “the global number one for fixed, messenger and urban cyclists”, per Continental: a PolyX Breaker against punctures and DuraSkin sidewall fabric against cuts and kerbs, on a 180 TPI casing.	CONTINENTAL Gator Hardshell Rigid Road Tyre - Black Choose it for maximum puncture protection: Hardshell ProTection with a wider PolyX Breaker.	CONTINENTAL Gatorskin BlackEdition Foldable Road Tyre - Black Choose it for the foldable Gatorskin with black DuraSkin sidewalls.	CONTINENTAL Gran Prix 4 Season Road Tyre - Black Choose it for year-round training with inner tubes: double Vectran Breaker and DuraSkin sidewalls.
Regular price	€33,99	€48,90	€49,11	€49,95
Safety rating	—	—	—	—
Puncture protection	PolyX Breaker	Hardshell ProTection	PolyX Breaker	Double Vectran Breaker
Sidewall	DuraSkin	DuraSkin	DuraSkin, black	DuraSkin
TPI	180	180 (three plies of 60 TPI)	180	—
Tubeless	Tube type (clincher, for inner tubes)	Tube type (clincher, for inner tubes)	Tube type (clincher, for inner tubes)	Tube type (clincher, for inner tubes)
Bead	Foldable or wire (see listing)	Foldable or wire (see listing)	Foldable	Foldable
Weight 700x23 (claimed)	310 g wire	—	—	230 g
Weight 700x25 (claimed)	250 g foldable · 320 g wire	345 g wire	250 g	—
Weight 700x28 (claimed)	365 g wire	335 g foldable · 410 g wire	—	290 g
Weight 700x32 (claimed)	355 g foldable · 425 g wire	450 g wire	—	330 g

SIZESelect your size 700x23 700x25 700x32 700x28

Description

The Gatorskin is Continental’s road tyre for tough conditions — “the global number one for fixed, messenger and urban cyclists”, per Continental: a PolyX Breaker against punctures and DuraSkin sidewall fabric against cuts and kerbs, on a 180 TPI casing. We stock it with a wire and with a foldable bead. Choose it for commuting, touring and winter training where a flat costs more than a few grams; the Gator Hardshell goes one step further on protection.