LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

sol · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:39 am Subject: [bike] Armadillo tyres

Anyone got them? Are they any good?
After a double puncture (or rather 2 punctures 10 min apart) yesterday I had a good look at the state of my tyres and discovered to my horror that they are full of little holes Confused

. The punctures were caused as far as I can see by tiny ltttle sharp stones. Thank god I was only in Richmond Park, 3 miles from home!
So are Armadillo tyers the answer? What do you guys think?

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2417

If you really want puncture-proof, Schwalbe Marathon Plus are the way to go. But they're expensive and heavy

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4070

Personally, I like Conti GP4000s on my normal bike - that and not riding in stupid cycle lanes. Not much protection from those tyres, but enough, and given the kevlar hoops, they are very easy to swap an inner tube. Best of all they have really excellent handling and speed, and are expensive and light. You won't get any of that from armoured tyres.

Small tip - carry two inner tubes and a repair kit, and you can deal with delays by simply swapping out the inner tube rather than doing the whole glue with patches thing. Also carry some latex gloves for mechanicals - then you won't have to clean your hands afterwards.

sol · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:05 pm Subject:

Armadillos fitted now . They are a bit fatter than normal and probably a bit heavier but I don'texpect I'll notice the difference. I don't cycle that often.

Xia · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 874 Location: Geneva (Suisse)

armadillos are really good, one year and no puncture with a daily commute.

I used to have continental gator skin before, and glass shards would go through. Doesn't happen with the specialized tires. I still remove shards once a month.

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2417

Not really had a puncture problem myself with gatorskins, but I found the way they are so easily provoked into going sideways on wet ground is more than slightly disconcerting

I have michelin krylion on the commuter (not sure if these are still made) and pro2 race on the nice bike. So far so happy with both

sol · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:36 am Subject:

andyman · Joined: 05 Apr 2006 Posts: 1945 Location: Suffolk

You will notice the difference if you are riding around suburban roads, where the 28's will definitely offer a 'softer' ride. Also with (a fraction) more rolling resistance, they should actually suit you and your training regime.

Problem of course is when you come against someone who in the past was at the same level or just behind you, they will of course skin you alive now Rolling Eyes

- OK so I am only joking, but nice thought Wink

Back to the original gist, I have Mich Pro2 Race front and back on my TCR C which have been superb in puncture resistance, even with noticable 'cuts' in the outer surface.

My Flyer has some rather cheap Vittoria Rubino Kevlar which amazingly (as its my daily bike) have not had a single failure, but I guess thats just luck. When they do go I fully intend to go for Mich Pro3 Race

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4070

Personally, I can't bear the ride quality from armadillos. They are heavy, hard, and handle like poo.

Adrian · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 857 Location: Tatem Park

I've used armadillos on my winter bike for several years now, as I needed a tyre which I could commute on without the worry of punctures (especially in the rain).

I've never had a pucture over a number of sets of tyres (the only reason for changing was due to wear over the years).

Yes - they are harder that normal tyres but I've never had any issues with handling. I ride much lighter tyres on my summer bike, but that is a handful in the wet with slicks.

As for weight - I'm not overly worried, as it's great to pass other riders on their light weight carbon fibre top of the range bikes on something which is built for reliability, safety, and use in bad weather.

BigSteev · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 273 Location: London

I have pretty red tyres on my new bike.

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4070

Big exposes his feminine side!

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2417

Yes, but do you still have the pretty red pedals?

Xia · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 874 Location: Geneva (Suisse)

point in case, checked my tires yesterday: 3mm shard of glass lodge in the tire, no puncture!

sol · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:55 am Subject:

I now have a right set of tyres (armadillo Elite 23s), will try and go for a test ride today.