Armadillo Tires

[lostsailor]

....are made by Specialized and, from what I gather, very durable and are perfect for late fall riding (eg when there are a lot of twigs_ and es[ecially great for the winter. I know they are a bit heavy but that is not a bother to me. My question is: do other companies make a similar tire for less than 70$ a pair.

Thanks all,
~tony

[HiYoSilver]

schwalbe.com and click on NorthAmerica link. Available from West Coast shop for a bit cheaper than directly from schwalbe

[CBBaron]

Tough as nails tires don't come cheap. Marathons and related tires from Schwalbe are also very tough but not much if any cheaper. I have seen several other kelvar belted tires for as low as $25 a piece but they don't have the reputation of Armadillos or Marathons.
Craig

[nmichell]

I've had pretty good luck with Panaracer T-Serv messenger tires. Kevlar belt and thick rubber, although I have gotten a flat from a thorn through the sidewall. Quick check on the internet shows prices about $30 each. I think the Panaracer Pasela would be similar.

Nick

[Urbanmonk]

I have a set of Armadillos on my cyclocross. I use it on mainly clean-swept streets, and they are not the best, in my opinion. In one year I had 4 flats. These tires are so hard to take off and put on that sometimes the bike would sit there for months while I used my beater. I had a set of Kendra w/Kevlar bands which lasted four years without "any" flats--they simply wore out. (And yes, I rode on the very same streets.)
I think I paid $16 for the set of Kendras. Quite a deal! Sometimes reputation becomes legend then myth.

[balto charlie]

....are made by Specialized and, from what I gather, very durable and are perfect for late fall riding (eg when there are a lot of twigs_ and es[ecially great for the winter. I know they are a bit heavy but that is not a bother to me. My question is: do other companies make a similar tire for less than 70$ a pair.

Thanks all,
~tony

Spec. Nimbus Armadillo are the brand I ride. 1 flat in over 4000 miles in 1 year. Worth the extra weight; however a rather stiff(read:harsh) ride. I don't know how the Schwalbes stack up in the comfort zone.

[NYCBM]

....are made by Specialized and, from what I gather, very durable and are perfect for late fall riding (eg when there are a lot of twigs_ and es[ecially great for the winter. I know they are a bit heavy but that is not a bother to me. My question is: do other companies make a similar tire for less than 70$ a pair.

Thanks all,
~tony

Tony, if you live in nyc i know a place that sells them for $60 a pair.

[cdale56]

I used armadillos(700X25) for about two years- with very good results. I highly recommend them. They are a little heavy and ride as such. I am not a performance rider so I don't care about that.

I just swircted to Conti gator skins, (700X23) and they have been great too- I only have about 700 miles on them.

I would have stayed with the armadillos, but I needed to replace them quickly at the last minute and couldn't find a store that had them.

They cost about 80 bucks for a set at top dollar I am sure.

[FunkyTang]

On a different note, I almost hit an arnadillo yesterday morning while cycling at 6:30am in Houston. It was walking across a dark patch of the street I was on.

[NYCBM]

Tony, if you live in nyc i know a place that sells them for $60 a pair.

Specialized raised tehre price. Now its $70 pair where i use to get my tires.

[The Selector]

I have 2 pairs, and I run thorn-proof tubes and never had a flat in over 10,000 miles
they hold up very well
well worth the money

[MichaelW]

The std marathons are tough and ride OK but can be penetrated by razor sharp flint and some glass.
The Marathon Plus have and extra layer of rubbery material which prevents sharps from entering. They are a lot tougher and hard to mount esp on narrower rims. I would only consider them on wider rims in wider sizes.