Road Cycling - armadillo or gatorskin

Looking for a 700x23 tire that won't leave me stranded. I'm not worried about the weight so much and I've read all of the good comments about the armadillos on this site. On the other hand, I've been a Conti fan for almost 10 years and have a great deal of confidence in Conti quality.

Does anyone have first hand experience with these two tires? Durability is a given, but can you comment on road feel, wet weather grip, rolling resistence?

TIA,

-mark

the armadillos are great, i have 700x25/26 on one of my track bikes. when i first started using them, i would always freak out a little bit turning on wet ground...they feel like they could slip on wet ground if you took a turn too fast or something...but i've never slid out on them on my track bike. i've had the same set for over a year now, and they've probably got another year in them. i have never had any flats with them.

i've used the gator skin for a rear tire on a fixie, and it held up great as well. i had maybe 3 or 4 flats in the year that i had it. i never felt afraid that i'd slide out with them. it's lighter than the armadillos and almost as durable, it lasted about a month less on a fixed gear, so by the time a year was up, the tread in the center was pretty far gone.

if you're looking for a tire with more flat protection, go with the armadillo. both of those tires would probably last a lot longer on a road bike. like i said, i rode them on track bikes, so i skidded on them a lot, which wears them out pretty fast.

having said that, i think i'll put the panaracer pasela tourgaurd tires on my bike when the armadillos wear out. i got one for the rear on a track bike and it's holding up pretty well so far. i haven't had it very long, but it seems like it'll last and hold up against glass, thorns, whathaveyou. they run a little small, (i got a 25, and it looks closer to a 23), but it's kevlar belted and light and has a good tread pattern to it, and feels really secure on the road. i haven't had any problems with that one either. it's a good, quick responsive, flat-resistant tire.

i have a conti sport 2000 on the rear of my road bike and a hutchinson "reflex" carbon comp on the front. i haven't had any problems with the hutchinson...i got two flats in one day on the conti, but that was because i forgot to check for glass...stupid me.

anyway, i hope this info helps!

... having said that, i think i'll put the panaracer pasela tourgaurd tires on my bike when the armadillos wear out. i got one for the rear on a track bike and it's holding up pretty well so far. i haven't had it very long, but it seems like it'll last and hold up against glass, thorns, whathaveyou. they run a little small, (i got a 25, and it looks closer to a 23), but it's kevlar belted and light and has a good tread pattern to it, and feels really secure on the road. i haven't had any problems with that one either. it's a good, quick responsive, flat-resistant tire.


Thanks for the advice. I'll have to check out the paselas as well. Your comments concerning the armadillos feeling "slippery" or lacking road feel mirror what I've read elsewhere.

-mark

I wanted the Armadillos after all the high reviews here on BF. However, I was given a set of Gatorskins - can't beat the price. I have had two flats in about 300 miles. Both were from glass. I am interested in hearing if others have had a lot of flats with the Gatorskins. I don't want to have to change flats in the winter and I'm riding so slow that the weight is not a factor.

Don't rule out Bontrager Hard Case tires! I haven't had a single flat on these since I started using them. I am so empressed with them I have the bike shop order a set in 26x1.5 for my commuter MtB! :)

Don't rule out Bontrager Hard Case tires! I haven't had a single flat on these since I started using them. I am so empressed with them I have the bike shop order a set in 26x1.5 for my commuter MtB! :)

Another good suggestion. Thanks!

-mark

Gp3000 are better then gatorskins. 3-4 flats a year is to many.

as I am reading this, the Adbot has an ad saying this:

"Stop armadillo damage to your yard. get rid of that armadillo pest now." www.armadillo-repellent.com. I thought that was funny.

armadillos are the universal choice of the nyc fixed gear and messenger communities.

if you've ever ridden in this city, that speaks volumes.

ARMADILLOS!!!

I haven't used the other tires mentioned, but (knock on wood) I haven't had a flat with Armadillos and I have over 1,000 miles on them (and some of that has been on the trainer).

I was so impressed with them that I got the "Flack Jacket" version (softer sidewall) when I got my 700x23 training tires. I find the grip is fine and I feel more secure knowing that my tires are not as vulnerable. The Bontrager RaceX lites that came on my new Lemond are banded up in my garage and will probably only get put on the bike for racing. Otherwise I am going to stick with my durable Aramadillos!!

Bill

Been using Gatorskins for about 600 miles with no flats so far. The stock tires that came with my Trek 1000 flatted about every 300 miles. The ride feels smoother but that could be phsychological. The tread pattern on them is pretty cool too.

Been using Gatorskins for about 600 miles with no flats so far. The stock tires that came with my Trek 1000 flatted about every 300 miles. The ride feels smoother but that could be phsychological. The tread pattern on them is pretty cool too.

Yeah, I had a lot of problems with the Bontrager Selects too. I think they lasted about 200 miles before I gave up. My Gatorskins have about 400 miles on them with no flats so far. Much better than the 2-3 a week I was getting with my Michelins.

I ride the armadillos (28X700c) on my ss. I got them about a month ago because my bike has horizontal dropouts w/ fenders and the rear wheel is a ***** to get off - I wanted no more flats - I have been commuting 12 miles each way 4xs a week since. About 350 - 400 miles so far. I've been riding in the snow and ice - grip seems good, however - I'm a bit carefull. About 2 miles each way is a very busy trucking route with all types of debris on the side of the road - no flats. In 12 years of serious riding I'd have to say these are the best yet (next to my 3" Gazzalodis).

I've run both, in fact I have one of each on my bike right now. Both have excellent flat resistance. I had problems with an earlier Armadillo that wouldn't stay on the rim, but my experience has been a few less flats on the Armadillo than the Gatorskin.

Armadillo's are the most puncture resistent tire on the market. The Gatorskins are ok but their sidewalls are too thin thus subject to damage. I started using Armadillos when I lived moved to Bakersfield CA and encountered a overabundance of natural and unnatural road debris. After destroying over a dozen different brands of tires my LBS recommended the Armadillos. Since using those I went from 2 to 5 flats a week-that's right A WEEK, down to 2 flats in 3 years or 16,000 miles and one was due to a faulty tube and the other to a worn out tire that allowed a thorn to penetrate. But I commuted a lot a night and would just roll over glass and hear it crunch but never a leak. Their not flat proof so carry a spare tube and patches (I also carry a spare ultralight tire) like normal, but for the most part flats will be history. They also lasted longer than any other tire I have ever used in 35+ years of riding. BUT downside is they are heavy at 360 grms but I use Specialize ultralight 65 grm tube in them.

Now that I moved to Fort Wayne IN I am considering switching to Conti Gran Prix 4 Seasons because Ft Wayne does not have the problems with flats like Bakersfield CA had. I will test them by just buy one for the front and see how it holds up-I prefer to have a front flat than a rear-don't like to have greasy hands while riding!

Thanks for all the advice. I bought the armadillos' from my LBS for $30/each.

-mark

Thanks for all the advice. I bought the armadillos' from my LBS for $30/each.

-mark

Great choice, you won't be sorry. They last a long time as well as warding off those nasty road fungus. I use ultralight 65 gram tubes in mine and only have had one flat caused by road debris in over 13,000 miles and that one was caused because the tire was worn out; I was trying to see how far I could wear out the thing, actually I didn't have the money for a new one! and that was after 3600 miles (on the front).

By the way I use about 90 pounds in the front and 100 in the rear, it softens the ride a bit.

Great choice, you won't be sorry. They last a long time as well as warding off those nasty road fungus. I use ultralight 65 gram tubes in mine and only have had one flat caused by road debris in over 13,000 miles and that one was caused because the tire was worn out; I was trying to see how far I could wear out the thing, actually I didn't have the money for a new one! and that was after 3600 miles (on the front).

By the way I use about 90 pounds in the front and 100 in the rear, it softens the ride a bit.

I mounted them this evening. As a bonus, they're attractive tires and the red sidewalls look great next to my red frame.

I don't know if you're aware, but the min pressure rating on the side of the tire is ~115psi. While I can't say for sure why they would set a "min" rating (beyond worry of rolling the tire), I'm inclined to stick with it. I like to keep mine "rock hard" anyway and will use the full 125.

-mark

I'm glad you chose the armadillos'

I have experience with both and the armadillos' wins.

Gatorskins are lighter and maybe a tad bit faster, but you can't deny the best flat protection tire on the market...the Armadillos!!!

Miyataphile

I just made the switch to the Conti's Grand Prix 4 Season after running 3 sets of Armadillos. I like the weight of the Conti's and the ride. Only time will tell. But the Armadillos are a great dependable tire.

I've had the 4-seasons for 1800 and no flats. Rear starting to show some wear but still is fine.

I love my armadillos. I have about 1000 miles on them already with very light wear. Probably 2/3 of the miles were commuting miles, riding on the roads here in Sacramento through some not so good parts of town. I love em and don't notice the weight difference, definitely worth a try.

This computer AD-BOT is funny; I don't know if anyones noticed but in this case the Armadillo tire for bicycles we've been talking about generated and ad-bot ad for Armadillo repellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I spray this repellent on my bike will my tires run off?

Armadillo,s rule for no flats ,I destroyed a gatorskin in 6 weeks,the threads in the casing started snaping till it went all snakey, bloody useless :mad: I've had some problems with the Armadillo,s tread seperating from the casing but the LBS repaced them both times ,no worries :D . I keep them pumed as hard as my floor pump goes (120 psi) thay make for a moderatly hard ride but I have a steel frame which dampens a lot of the buzz out, I like to corner fast & I have full confidence in the tyres cornering ability's (touch wood :eek: ) My commute to work takes me through the port area & the debris on the roads is horrendious, the only flat I've had is from a disgarded hypodermic needle :(