Commuting - Bad news, good news and Specialized Armadillos

I want to personally thank Ba-Dg-Er for a cheery message wishing me a happy Monday. I hold him personally responsible for what happened to me this morning. Let me tell you somethin'. You may have read my post on my puncture Friday in the pouring rain. This is kind of a followup.

Got about a block from the house this morning and POWsssss. Same tire that punctured Friday. I may have left a kink in the tube which was fine at the 60 or so psi I could get in it with my mini pump, but not at the 110 I topped it off with this morning. Walked back to the house to change it. Put a new tube in. Pumping it up...KABAM. Must have had a kink because it blew a 3 inch rip in the tube. Put ANOTHER tube in. Pumped it up. Then noticed a gaping 2-3 mm hole in the tire with the tube exposed. Luckily, I had another little used tire that I had replace a few months ago just because it didn't have kevlar belting. Finally on my way about 1 hour later than usual. Luckily I work a flex schedule. I'd better get some more tires to have on hand.

On the plus side, I clocked my fastest time yet getting to work at an average speed 1 mph faster than my previous best. And that was into a very slight headwind! To me, that more than makes up for the inconvenience! So thanks, Ba-Dg-Er for the training program. But will I need to puncture every time I want to do some speed work?

Serious part. This is the second of a pair of Specialized Armadillo kevlar belted tires that I have replaced in about 2 weeks with gaping holes in them. These tires only had about 1000 miles on them. I am a little disappointed that these allegedly tough tires did not last longer. On the other hand, I ride some pretty trashy streets so it may be just the environment. I am actually happy to replace them because I did not like the wide flat contact surface. The Continental Sports with which I am replacing them have a more rounded profile with less contact area.
Regards,
Rainman

If I had to replace tires (road or MTB) after only 1000 miles, I'd be very unhappy about it!

JonR,
I would be if I weren't already less than thrilled with the tires anyway. I'll tell you, so far I am not impressed with the Specialized products I have tried.
Regards,
Raymond

Originally posted by RainmanP
JonR,
I'll tell you, so far I am not impressed with the Specialized products I have tried.

Now that you said that, I will reveal that I almost put the same thing in my post: I have Specialized Crossroads tires that I've tried three or four times on the MTB and they just don't feel right, and I have much less control, so I always end up going back to my regular little-known brands that cost less and ride great.

And I have my Specialized helmet which causes me to sweat buckets and doesn't fit right, though I realize helmet makers do have to decide if they're designing for alien creatures or for regular human heads and then more or less stick to it...:D

Well, that stinks. In another thread, I had recommended Armadillos as being virtually indestructable. I guess they must have "improved" them since I got mine. Sorry about the bogus advice.

By and large, I agree with JonR. A year ago, I went through a slew (well, okay, 3) Specialized tubes, all due to valve stem failures. I thought by getting a name brand I was doing something good. I just don't care much for a lot of Specialized stuff. Add Armadillos to the list. :thumbdn:

Originally posted by roadbuzz
I guess they must have "improved" them since I got mine.
Ain't it the truth. Again I say it: as in software, so in bikes.

Roadbuzz,
Don't beat yourself up. The Armadillos may be great tires. I acknowledge that my commute has some pretty trashy spots, and some Rhodes scholar has tossed another bottle onto the street almost every morning. I may have just had bad luck with this pair of tires. I did not mean to condemn the whole brand, just saying I had not been impressed. Now the cross section thing is just personal preference.

Interestingly, my bike shop buddy at another shop, the one that carries Continental, says that some brands had come out with kevlar belted tires then discontinued them. I think he said Continental has never had kevlar belted tires, though they do offer some with kevlar beads. Those of you who have been riding for years, have you heard of problems with kevlar belted tires?

Regards,
Raymond

Another point of view. I put about 1500mi. on a set of Specialized Crossroads 700X38's. Wanted something smoother and narrower, so I bought Specialized Nimbus w/kevlar 700X28. They started showing signs of wear on the sidewalls near the rim at about 2000mi. Bought another pair and have put close to 2000mi. on them. They're showing the same signs of wear. The bottom line, though, is 6000 miles in town and no flat tires! Coarse I also have thorn resistent tubes, shields between tire and tube, sealer in the tube, and I inflate them to 110+ every day. I don't like the way the threads come off the sidewall, but I'm not complaining. I've even quit packin' a pump.

Originally posted by roadbuzz
I just don't care much for a lot of Specialized stuff. :thumbdn:

Naaah, Specialized makes some cool looking bikes, and some good bikes. But they throw way to much of their stuff on their bikes and Specialized parts are not(as you say) very good.

I guess this is kind of a follow-up follow-up. Went to my secondary LBS Saturday to pick up the pair of Continental Ultra 2000s they had ordered for me. They also had Ultra 3000s for the same price, and the guy convinced me to give them a try. Different looking. The tread area is a gray, slick looking material as opposed to the usual black mat look. The material is supposed to offer improved grip even on wet roads. Continental's website contitires.com describes the Ultra 3000 is described as a durable racing/sport tire. The 2000 says it offers very high mileage. I probably should have gotten the 2000, but I was intrigued by the slick gray tread of the 3000. I will post a thread in a few months, or less, depending on their performance.


The website also lists a Sport 1000 with kevlar belting. Interesting, since the LBS guy said Continental didn't have any kevlar belted tires!

I wore my Specialized Armadillo Elite 700x23's out after nearly 6000 miles. I had one flat in that distance. I rotated them about every 2000 miles.

I have been very happy with them and I have mounted a new pair on my bicycle.

How have those Continental ultra 3000 worked out for you?

I wore my Specialized Armadillo Elite 700x23's out after nearly 6000 miles. I had one flat in that distance. I rotated them about every 2000 miles.

I have been very happy with them and I have mounted a new pair on my bicycle.

How have those Continental ultra 3000 worked out for you?

Chip, do you realize you're bumping an eight year old thread here? Please, check the dates when you're searching...