[NelsonFromLondon]

I wonder if any reader have come across this problem? The ‘gatorskin’ layer has detached from the sidewall on my 28mm Continental tyres!

Will try to load pictures, but not sure how to!

Topic

[NelsonFromLondon]

Interesting to hear of yet
Interesting to hear of yet another failure, especially on a brand new tyres, but pleased that they are being replaced. Only wish that Cycle Surgery had been similarly disposed.

[NelsonFromLondon]

Wow! I’m kinda shocked to
Wow! I’m kinda shocked to hear that you’ve had such a bad experience with Continental tyres. I thought maybe my troubles were a one off, but this doesn’t appear to be the case. Out of interest, what width tyre did you have the problems with as my troubles only came when I changed to a 28 mm.

[420bikes]

Are you using the tubeless
Are you using the tubeless variety or the inner tube kind? Been riding 4 seasons since 2015 (28c and still going strong, zero punctures) without any issues bar fitting them on the wheels without any tools. I’m getting a new set of wheels for winter commute and was hoping to go with the gp5000 TL…hope this is a one off and not the new normal.

[blablablacksheep20]

I’m so glad I’ve found this!!
I’m so glad I’ve found this!!

I’ve literally had brand new pair of continental gp5000s and after less than 100 miles the sidewall has come apart from the main tyre casing.

I have got replacements from wiggle and I’m hoping they are better.

I’ve also noticed the ones that broke also didn’t fit very well into rim initially with a bulge which was near impossible to remove.

I reckon due to high demand on bikes and parts they have genuinely got quality control issues as I never had issues with conti until now.

I really hope the replacements work if not back to Victoria corsa, not as durable but hey ho glad I found this topic

[Judge dreadful]

I’ve had so many delamination

I’ve had so many delamination issues, and problems with side wall and carcass failures on Continental tyres, I won’t use them anymore. The increased performance seems to come at the cost of resilience, so I use other tyres now.

[NelsonFromLondon]

Hi Chris, interesting that

Hi Chris, interesting that you have found this to be a common failing.  I’ve been using these Gatorskins for years and this is the first time anything like this has happened. 

I changed from a pair of 23 mm to these 28 mm tyres in order to have some ‘give’, so wondered if it might have been a problem particularly associated with the broader width.

[Chris Hayes]

I’ve had threads peel off

I’ve had threads peel off from that gauze side panel on Continental tyres before… frequently.  I guess the sidewall gauze peeling away is what happens next – to Gatorskins anyway – it’s just laminated on.   I pulled some threads off some 4000IIs just the other day… but as you nearly said, at that mileage you’re riding your luck

[NelsonFromLondon]

Hi Dingaling.  Sorry to hear

Hi Dingaling.  Sorry to hear that you have had a similar experience, though I’m really impressed to hear that you rode 9000 km without a puncture, must be some record.  I did write to Continental Tyres to see if they had anything to say and got this really nice response from their Shelley in costomer services:

Dear Nelson,

Thank you for your message and we are sorry to hear about your issue with the Gatorskin.

I’d like to assure you that the issue you have is with an external fabric, which we call ‘Duraskin’, which is designed to protect the tyre casing from damage such as cuts and tearing. The fabric plays no part in containing the air chamber and so will not increase the risk of a puncture or failure. https://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/technical/duraskin

You are within your rights to ask for a replacement from your place of purchase, although a dab of adhesive such as superglue will fix this issue just as effectively.

Regards

Shelley

Customer Services

I was a little surprised that they didn’t think the ‘duraskin’ failure would matter, especially as they make quite a big thing about the construction on their website.  Maybe like you say, the mesh is merely for decoration.

[NelsonFromLondon]

Hi Stuart, Yes I did consider

Hi Stuart, Yes I did consider the possibility that the brakes were the cause and carefully checked them out, but they were not to blame!  I’m really at a loss as to how this could have happened, but I rather feel it must be a manufacturing fault as both front and rear tyres have the same thing, which is why I’ve been asking for feedback to see if this is a common complaint.

[stuartcoupe]

Could that be damage from the

Could that be damage from the brake pad touching the tyre?

[Dingaling]

Interesting coincidence. Only

Interesting coincidence. Only three days ago I did a bit of maintenance on my gravel bike fitted with Conti 4 Seasons. I had taken the rear wheel out to remove and clean the cassette when I noticed that the net material on the tyre wall was loose. To my mind it is only decorative so I used a very sharp knife to cut it off where it comes out from under the tread. I guessed it had started coming loose due to age because my tyres are a few years old. The rear one did 2500km in 14/15 on a tourer and didn’t get used again until last year since when it has done 3300km on the gravel bike so I won’t be complaining to Continental. Great tyres for wear and puncture protection. The front one has done over 9000km without a puncture!

[NelsonFromLondon]

I’ve loaded an image of my
I’ve loaded an image of my Gatorskin 28mm with problem sidewalls. I’d be interested to hear from anyone suffering this fault.

[Author]

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