Road Cycling - flat protection

which tires do you think has the best flat protection. I hate getting flats and am willing to give up a little speed to not have to fix flats.

The only tire that comes close to being flat proof is the Specialize Armadillo Turbo. Since switching to these tires I have not had a single flat in over 15,000 miles. They are not racing tires and they are heavy at about 360grms (23mm) but I run them with Specialize ultralight 65grm tubes. Prior to these tires I tried many different brands after moving to a place that had very trashed streets along with natural and man made objects waiting to puncture tires. I was averaging 3-5 flats a WEEK, now I haven't had one in over 3 years. Plus I never got more than 750 miles on a tire before something fatal happened to it, now I routinely run them out at about 3400miles on the front and 2600 on the rear (I use a 28mm in the rear and a 26mm in the front). They also tend to be a bit harsher riding but I air them only to 100 in the rear and 90 in the front for more softer ride.
They only cost $30 each by the way. I still carry a flat kit, spare tube and spare ultralight folding tire because nothing is flat proof or destruction proof.

The only tire that comes close to being flat proof is the Specialize Armadillo Turbo. Since switching to these tires I have not had a single flat in over 15,000 miles. They are not racing tires and they are heavy at about 360grms (23mm) but I run them with Specialize ultralight 65grm tubes. Prior to these tires I tried many different brands after moving to a place that had very trashed streets along with natural and man made objects waiting to puncture tires. I was averaging 3-5 flats a WEEK, now I haven't had one in over 3 years. Plus I never got more than 750 miles on a tire before something fatal happened to it, now I routinely run them out at about 3400miles on the front and 2600 on the rear (I use a 28mm in the rear and a 26mm in the front). They also tend to be a bit harsher riding but I air them only to 100 in the rear and 90 in the front for more softer ride.
They only cost $30 each by the way. I still carry a flat kit, spare tube and spare ultralight folding tire because nothing is flat proof or destruction proof.
Without question,the Armadillo's.Think i put 3000 on a pair without a flat.They make lites but are very hard to find.A bit heavy but worth not stopping for a flat.

I have had very good luck with Bontrager Hard Case tires.

Specialize Armadillo Turbo.
100% agree. I used to get one every two weeks or so commuting, now three in about eighteen months. One normal, one a 3/4" self-tapping screw going straight through, one razor sharp piece of mild steel. They are just called Armadillo here in UK, unless Turbo is a model you have but we don't.

100% agree. I used to get one every two weeks or so commuting, now three in about eighteen months. One normal, one a 3/4" self-tapping screw going straight through, one razor sharp piece of mild steel. They are just called Armadillo here in UK, unless Turbo is a model you have but we don't.

The sides of my tires do say Turbo, so I don't know what the UK has to offer-sorry!

I'm on my second set of Continental Grand Prix 3000 tires. :beer:
I average ~1500-2000 miles between flats - and that's riding on Atlanta's glass and trash littered roads.

I got the 700x28C Nimbus Armadillos and they work fine on my hybrid. For my road bike I got the all conditions 25C Armadillo. I don't care much for tire lightness, I just hate getting flats.
Corsaire

I'd have to recommend Armadillos as well. I rode from San Francisco to San Diego -- as well as about 2,000 miles before that -- without a flat!

I use the Armadillos now and would recommend them to anyone willing to sacrifice a little extra weight for no flats. I am on my 3rd set. The only thing I notice is they only last for me around 2000 miles or so.

Another good tire is Continental Top Touring 2000. I have the 700 x 32. They are new now, but I have not had a flat yet. The tread is a lot more aggressive than the specialized armadillos so there a tad bit more roller resistance, but at the same time they are a hell of a lot more comfortable. I use to be a deadhard Specialized Armadillo fan and I still am, but there are other tires out there with just as much punture resistance.

By the way, Continential has a tire that they say is super duper flatproof called UltraGateur Tires, DO NOT Purchase these, the tread is very very thin and cuts easily, they are about the same price as the Top Touring and the Armadillos around 30 bucks each, but Never ever get them.

4130phile

which tires do you think has the best flat protection. I hate getting flats and am willing to give up a little speed to not have to fix flats.

I have a set of Bontrager Hard Cases with nearly 2,000 miles and nary a flat. I have accidentally ridden over a lot of broken glass, even one time over a jagged bottom of a bottle, and nary a scratch, much less a flat.

By the way, Continential has a tire that they say is super duper flatproof called UltraGateur Tires, DO NOT Purchase these, the tread is very very thin and cuts easily, they are about the same price as the Top Touring and the Armadillos around 30 bucks each, but Never ever get them.

4130phile

Really? I've had mine for about 1000 miles and have yet to get a flat. A few pieces of glass have gotten stuck in the tread, but I usually check my tires for cuts after each ride so I just nab those then. Different experiences I guess.

The only tire that comes close to being flat proof is the Specialize Armadillo Turbo. Since switching to these tires I have not had a single flat in over 15,000 miles. They are not racing tires and they are heavy at about 360grms (23mm) but I run them with Specialize ultralight 65grm tubes. Prior to these tires I tried many different brands after moving to a place that had very trashed streets along with natural and man made objects waiting to puncture tires. I was averaging 3-5 flats a WEEK, now I haven't had one in over 3 years. Plus I never got more than 750 miles on a tire before something fatal happened to it, now I routinely run them out at about 3400miles on the front and 2600 on the rear (I use a 28mm in the rear and a 26mm in the front). They also tend to be a bit harsher riding but I air them only to 100 in the rear and 90 in the front for more softer ride.
They only cost $30 each by the way. I still carry a flat kit, spare tube and spare ultralight folding tire because nothing is flat proof or destruction proof. Have you tried using tire liners. They really work real good you will never get flats ever again.

Ive got a set of the wire bead armadillos, something like 500 grams, but they are bomb proof. The guy above who has 15,000 miles without a flat......... I believe it.

I'm with the Armadillo guys. The only reason why I had to trash one was an overinflation by an idiot at my LBS that used a 16g CO2 on it. The expolision ripped a 4" gash in the sidewall that turned a good tire with many a mile left in it into a decrotive peice.

Got a better one,they lost my tire.It was nowhere to be found and they did'nt have anymore.They said i could get another tire which meant different tires on my bike.I said i did'nt want that and they said we'll give you one but you have to buy the other if you want the same tires.

Got a better one,they lost my tire.It was nowhere to be found and they did'nt have anymore.They said i could get another tire which meant different tires on my bike.I said i did'nt want that and they said we'll give you one but you have to buy the other if you want the same tires.

I took a wheel in to be rebuilt. When I went to pick it up it didn't have the tire, tube, or cassette. When I told them they got upset and said the reason was because the wheel had just been laying there for a week.