[LordOpie]

whatcha think?

I've been commuting to work and got a flat. The tire's a little damaged, I could duct tape it and get home. I forgot to bring a spare to work, so I thought I'd see what the LBS has.

They claim to have two commuter tires in stock the Armadillo and some Bontrager thing.

So, do I buy one of them or limp home and get something like the Continental Ultra Gator ro Schwalbe Marathon?

 

[reflux]

Specialized had a booth at Sea Otter YEARS ago and I won a free armadillo tire. Since then, I've been riding them for years as my main tire. Basically, they're a heavier tire that's meant to be used a mileage and training tire. These tires have NOT flatted on me. Granted I don't ride through shards of glass and other Xtreme materials, but any tire that lasts and doesn't flat during the course of normal riding is okay by me.

 

[Wumpus]

Never had a problem with the armadillos.

 

[LordOpie]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the feedback.

I'm thinking of the 28c. Any reason to get the 25c instead?

 

[Wumpus]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the feedback.

I'm thinking of the 28c. Any reason to get the 25c instead?

I think they are wider than most other tires, but I wish I would have gotten the 28c instead of the 25c.

 

[LordOpie]

Cool.

I just got a pair of 28c Armadillos. They feel really solid. Since I only have 19-25c tubes, I bought a couple of bigger tubes. Unfortunately, I forgot that this wheelset is that retarded kind with a deep dish and the stems barely get out enough to inflate. Arg.

 

[jacksonpt]

this wheelset is that retarded kind with a deep dish

What's the advantage to that? My wheelset is that way too. I know the full disk wheels (or whatever they are called) are supposed to be more aerodynamic, but can it really make that much different with a "little dish" like ours?

 

[LordOpie]

for my wheels, I'm going to guess it was just marketing cuz I'm riding my original road bike for commuting. Some crappy Alexrims.

My regular wheels are Mavic Open Pros.

I suppose there might be an aerodynamic effect, but don't know.

 

[jacksonpt]

Yea... the "dish" gives Easton a small billboard to put their name on.

 

[LordOpie]

heh, excellent

 

[sanjuro]

Get the armadillo elites. much lighter with a kevlar bead. i only got 1 flat 12 months later.

 

[LordOpie]

Thanks, but already got the standard Armadillos, so we'll see how that goes.

I don't care about weight on my commuter roadie, so...

 

[loco-gringo]

I'd rather ride wagon wheels and I warranty plenty of them. Specialized replaces them, no questions asked, though.

 

[LordOpie]

uhh, what?

Wagon wheels?

Specialize replaces a used tire? Under what situation?

 

[loco-gringo]

uhh, what?

Wagon wheels?

Specialize replaces a used tire? Under what situation?

They ride really rough, as they are 350 grams and stupid hard in the tread. You can cut plenty of sidewalls, but I really think it takes special people to do so, but they do.

Specialized offers complete satisfaction.

 

[Wumpus]

uhh, what?

Wagon wheels?

Specialize replaces a used tire? Under what situation?

Loco pretty much hates any tire that he doesn't personally like. It's good for me because I get a bunch of tires to try out.

 

[BrokenChain]

When I was working at a shop in ND, a guy riding cross country happened to hit some glass 30 miles outside of town. By the time he made it to the shop, the tread had almost completely shredded off the armadillo casing, but they were still holding air. They definitely kept him from having to hike. And he got his tires warrantied too.

 

[LordOpie]

So are y'all saying that I should consider Armadillos on my roadie too?

I often find myself miles and miles from anywhere in the mountains, so...

 

[loco-gringo]

So are y'all saying that I should consider Armadillos on my roadie too?

I often find myself miles and miles from anywhere in the mountains, so...

You should just fill your tires with spray foam insulation.

 

[LordOpie]

I think they are wider than most other tires, but I wish I would have gotten the 28c instead of the 25c.

Do you use them on your road bike, commuter or both?

Why do you wish you got the 28 instead?

 

[Wumpus]

Do you use them on your road bike, commuter or both?

I only have the crossbike which usually has some type of crosstire on it -- 35c at the moment. I only put the Armidillos on if I'm riding with some roadies.

Why do you wish you got the 28 instead?

I like to ride some dirt roads and might leave them on more if they were a little wider. I'm thinking about picking up some ruffy-tuffys or roll-polys(?) btw-I'm around 215lbs.

 

[LordOpie]

Wumpus, I keep forgetting... you don't have a road bike? I assume you have at least two sets of wheels, yeah? Seems frustrating to swap tires


well, I just bought another set of Vredstein Fortezza SEs for my roadie cuz I couldn't make up my mind.

I like my SEs a lot, but they don't seem to rack up the miles before wearing out.

But I did put the Armadillos on my commuter, so I'll see how that goes.

 

[Wumpus]

Wumpus, I keep forgetting... you don't have a road bike? I assume you have at least two sets of wheels, yeah? Seems frustrating to swap tires

I only have one set of wheels. I'm lazy and usually ride by myself so I don't change tires very often -- 2X/year maybe.

 

[DirtyMike]

Your armadillos work well, specially for the cost. they roll well, and hold up to flats. on teh down side, they are a little heavy. Currently my favorites for longevity, weight, and lifespan goes to Vittoria diamonte's. Very supple, hi thread count"220". lightweight, bout 200 grams. very low rolling resistance. Downside, twice the cost. 45 dollars for the diamonte, bout 19.95 for the standard Armadillo. Both are really good tires though