Road Cycling - Specialized Armadillo Lite 700 x 20??

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DnvrFox
12-03-03, 06:37 PM
Specialized Armadillo Lite 700 x 20??

Specialized has the Armadillo Lite on sale for an excellent price, and I am considering. The only size they have is 700x20.

I currently have 700 x 23 on my brand new "run around" road/sports bike, and have been running 700 x 23's on my Lemond BA (also Specialized Armadillos, but not lite) for a couple of years now.

Any thoughts on the 700 x 20 vs 700 x 23's?

Would they be OK. I am a big guy at 215 pounds, but the 700 x 23's have always been just fine.

So, experts, your thoughts on the 700 x 20's?

cycletourist
12-03-03, 08:31 PM
Denver,

I weigh 235 pounds and ride 700x27. Anything narrower than that and I get flats. And the narrower the tire the more flats I get.

I have never ridden 20mm tires but a friend of mine a few years ago tried 700x18 on RAGBRAI. Mike weighed about what you do and got more flats that week than I have had in the last five years!! One day he had 9 flats!!

Here is my unproffessional opinion. Narrow tires don't reduce rolling resistance enough to offset the harsh ride and additional risk of flatting. But if the tires are cheap enough and you are willing to throw away the money... give them a try. If they work for you... fine. If they don't... sponsor an essay contest here on the forum and give them to the winner.
DnvrFox
12-03-03, 08:34 PM
Denver,

I weigh 235 pounds and ride 700x27. Anything narrower than that and I get flats. And the narrower the tire the more flats I get.

I have never ridden 20mm tires but a friend of mine a few years ago tried 700x18 on RAGBRAI. Mike weighed about what you do and got more flats that week than I have had in the last five years!! One day he had 9 flats!!

Thanks, Bob.

I have been using the Specialized Armadillos 700x23 for a couple of years with no flats (and I have just lost 30 pounds).

But, I am just a bit leary of the 700 x 20's for the reasons you mentioned.

cycletourist
12-03-03, 08:36 PM
DOH!!! You caught me editing!!
Joe S
12-04-03, 11:48 AM
My LBS told me that 20 mm tires have no advantage in rolling resistance over 23's b/c they must bridge the space b/w the edges of the rim w/ little space left over -- the contact w/ the road is actually a bit more than on 23's, which can bow out from the rim a bit better. Don't know if that's true or not.