[exploring]

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!

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[ban guzzi]

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...

[Tom Stormcrowe]

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.

[Air]

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.

[exploring]

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?

[Air]

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.

[exploring]

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"?

[Air]

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.