I am a very big guy (no loaded touring, my weight is enough) and I am looking for sturdy tires for an older 27" wheelset with Campy hubs and Mavic Module E 36 spoke rims. Current tires are 27 x 1 1/8" but I think it can take the wider 27 x 1 1/4" tires. I have read good things about the Continental Ultra Gatorskin tire. How about the Continental Ultra Sport or the IRC Duro's? Any other suggestions? Thanks!

I'm using ultrasports on my Panasonic. So far no worries and I'm happy. At 27x11/4" they taek some of the shock out of rough roads...
I'm about 265 without messenger bag, close to 280 with on my commute...

I use the Connie Ultrasports for touring on my touring bike if that helps you out....

I rode them through fire roads on the upper peninsula through the big wood last summer. Ran them down as low as 70 PSI on dirt and sand, pulling a 100 pound trailer, and didn't have a single issue. I run at 100 PSI on pavement with them.

The Panaracers burst at the sidewall for me. Had Gatorskins on the 27" wheels and loved them (before I switched to 700cs...).

Actually....where are you? I have a pair of Specialized Armadillos that will fit 27" that I keep thinking about CLing but passing it on would be just as good. They're older but don't have much mileage on them.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Air, thanks for the offer on the Armadillos but I am inclined to stick to new given my Super Clydesdale size. Did you like the Armadillos? Were they comparable to the Gatorskins or a small notch below?

Never rode the Armadillos on the roadie but they are tough as nails on my mtb. More expensive than other tires and you have to get them through a Specialized dealer so harder to come by. I would absolutely ride the Armadillos without giving them a second thought though. Almost any tire will hold you - the Panaracers had a thin sidewall so there was probably a pothole that hit the side. Both the dillos and gators have a thicker sidewall.

I'm 280# but easily could be over 300# after I'm loaded with water and everything else.

Air, I am 300# without the water and everything else. What type of wheels (hubs, rims. spokes) do you have on your road and mountain bike, given your self-proclaimed title "Destroyer of Wheels"?

My mtb Henri just hooked me up with a pair of his RhinoLites - so far holding well! That bike has 1.95 Armadillos on them. Once a year I take a pair of pliers and pick all the glass that's stuck there - but they don't get all that far.

For my roadie Stevesurf just gave me a pair of his old Mavic Aksiums which I'm surprised are holding up well. Gatorskins on those. I did get a flat on the first ride out (got one on the first ride with the dillos too - someone tacked the bike path) from a piece of glass which I was surprised at. Otherwise holding fine.

I did have 27" wheels with Panaracers on - the sidewall split on one of them and I replaced it with Gatorskins. No comparison between the two, felt like a new bike and that was just one wheel!

If you want more info on what I've gone through for wheels here ya go (from my sig along with a ton of wheel/hub threads):

De-Evolution of a Wheel, From Warnings Towards Solution:
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=253192 - First Roadie
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=262759 - Dialing in a Roadie
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=294905 - How many broken spokes are dangerous
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=298310 - Rear deraileur rubbing - bad tension?
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=342373 - Bombproof 27" Rims
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=338555 - Spokes Rant
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=349283 - Shot Rims and Clyde Recommendations?
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=349519 - Deep V vs Dyad vs Mavic Opens
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=352240 - Friction Shifters
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=355089 - Hubs
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=355761 - ****Hubs for Clydes from the Mechanics forum****
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=384620 - Mavic Aksiums for a Clyde?

If I was picking out a wheelset right now I'd go with Deep Vs (though I don't think they have them for 27") with Shimano Deore hubs and the Gators.