Tandem Cycling - More tires

I've been trying to get some new Conti Gatorskin 700 x 28s but nobody around here has any and can't get any soon. We're leaving for a 400 mile trip in California and have to send the bike out Friday. One bike shop suggested Specialized Armadillos as an alternative. Several on this forum suggest that they are durable but have a harsh ride due because of stiff sidewalls. I don't want to spend $100 on tires and live with them for a couple of thousand miles if they ride poorly.

Are there other alternatives that are durable and available yet ride pretty well?

The other alternative is to ride the tire presently on the bike (Gatorskins). The front is a bit worn but shows no signs of damage. The rear looks about the same but has one small spot (about 1/8" diameter) on the tread where the gum colored casing is visible through the black rubber tread.

I've had good luck with Serfas Secas. I'm not saying its the greatest tire out there, but at $18 a pop I've been very pleasantly surprised. I think there's about 2k miles on the one on the back of our tandem. If nothing else, maybe it'll tide you over til Contis become available again.

http://www.rei.com/product/724618

I see them all the time in bike shops in California. Where are you headed. You should be able to buy some tires here.

Conti Grand Prix 4 Seasons have worked well for us and they seem to be readily available.

Maxxis Re-Fuse (kevlar folding bead) 700x25 on our tandem.

I rode Specialized Armadillos from Astoria Oregon to Portsmouth New Hampshire summer of 2007 and loved them.... (single bike )

my whole family (4 of us) did the ride and only had 4 flats among the 8 wheels during a 3791 mile ride

I like em.... had about 6,000 miles on them before they retired and I weigh 220 JMHO

Our trip in California is October 12 - 19. Starts & ends in San Louis Obisbo. We're sending the bike out from here via van on the 3rd. I scrutinized the tires again last night. The front looks fine. The rear is OK except for the afore mentioned 1/8" dia spot where the gum colored rubber is showing through the black. I think we'll stay with these for the trip. We're carrying a spare. I can't see how the thin spot will increase the risk of a blowout. I'll look for the 4 Seasons or the Maxxis this afternoon. Thanks.

+1 on the 4 Seasons. With the new vectran belt, they seem to be pretty flat resistant, and still offer relatively low rolling resistance.

We're another tandem team that's real happy with the Conti 4 Seasons. Great feel and control. Our 305 pound team gets about 1500+/- miles out of the rear before it squares off more than I like. We go through a couple of sets a year but well worth the peace of mind and reliability.

BTW San Luis Obispo is a fabulous place for riding Tandems. ' just went over there and did the Lighthouse Century this past week end and it was super. Highway 1 is a busy road but has a prettty wide shoulder going north for about 40 miles or so. The views along the coast are spectacular as I'm sure you know. There are also many bike lanes in and around the city of SLO. If you like hills there are plenty of those as well just head inland and north and you'll find them. The mornings may be on the cool side...we had a bit of fog this past weekend but don't know what is typical for your October time frame...either way you should have a great time.

Bill J.

I think the ride north is inland with the return trip (south) along the coast. I think the farthest north we go is Monterey. 400 or so miles in 7 days with at least one day off. I know very little about California and almost nothing about this area. I think the group is about 30 people. Don't know if there will be any other tandems.

One bike shop suggested Specialized Armadillos as an alternative. Several on this forum suggest that they are durable but have a harsh ride due because of stiff sidewalls. I don't want to spend $100 on tires and live with them for a couple of thousand miles if they ride poorly.

We (Clydesdales) have the Specialized "All Condition" which is a 700x28 version of the Armadillo. Not a harsh/poor ride IMHO. Currently have 1,100 miles a pair and when these are done we'll get another pair. Also - haven't tried the Conti's but I like it that the Armadillos are $70 instead of $100 for a pair of Gator Skins. I solo commute on Armadillos as well. So far no flats (but lots of deep/weird divots and scratches) for two years on one pair at 1,900 miles.

I've used Gatorskins, Armadillos, and just switched to 4 Seasons.

Our Gatorskins have been plagued by weak side walls; the bike shop blew one out, I blew one out (with a little too much C02, so maybe I shouldn't count it), and I've had what appear to be threads bulging out the sides of a couple of otherwise good tires after < 1000 miles. Other than that, I like them.

We were noticably slower with the Armadillos; probably because they are 90 pound tires...even at >100 pounds, they looked a little flat. I would have stuck with them, but we got a flat on a 100k ride last year. I was expecting flatproofness for the rolling penalty we were paying.

I just put the 4 Seasons on (actually, just 1 of them: I moved the old Gatorskin to the back). I have not ridden them enough to have a real opinion on them yet. So far, the ride feels about the same as the Gatorskins. They fit the Fir rims well, and being able to carry the same tire as a backup is nice bonus.

SLO has a number of bike shops. You could probably track a few of their phone numbers down on the internet and place some calls, connect with a shop that has the tire you want, and have them hold them for you.

Our trip in California is October 12 - 19. Starts & ends in San Louis Obisbo. ....

Lots of good shops in SLO.

Here's a brief account of the intinerary:

Classic California Coast
October 11, 12-19, 2008 California
380 Miles/8 days (6 days riding, 2 rest/activity days) - lots of options for additional activities
$1100/$350 Deposit Rating: E30-A85
Balance due by: August 20, 2008
This new HeartCycle tour visits the mountains and coast of central California - one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world.
From the tour start in San Luis Obispo, we will head west to Morro Bay where we will take a brief look at the Pacific Ocean before heading inland to our first night at Paso Robles. From Paso Robles, we will follow quiet inland valleys and oak woodlands to the Salinas Valley farming town of King City, deep in the heart of the "Salad Bowl of the World." The next day's ride will start off with an intimate tour of the lettuce fields before turning into the heart of the coastal ranges. We'll finish the day with a long downhill run through Carmel Valley before turning north to our lodgings in the Fisherman's Wharf area of Monterey.
Following a day of activities in Monterey (the wharf, aquarium, kayaking, and 17-Mile drive are all temptations), we embark on the highlight of the tour - the rugged Big Sur coastline. At 85 miles, this is our longest day (with quite a bit of climbing), but the scenery, the sea otters, and the prevailing tailwinds will all make this day seem too short. After a night in our lodgings perched on the cliffs at Ragged Point, an easy ride past basking elephant seals will bring us to a tour of Hearst Castle then on to Morro Bay, where we will spend our second rest/play day. A picnic lunch at Montana de Oro and a 30 mile hop bring us back to San Luis Obispo on the last day.
Tour Leaders: Dan Pappone and Duncan Rollo
For more information contact Dan @ 408-316-1667 or email daniel.pappone@ge.com or Duncan @ 970-224-2783 or e-mail dtewell123@msn.com (dtewell123@msn.com)

Shows that there is still space available if anyone can make last minute plans!

If it's not too late, lickbike has 3 in stock. Nobody else on this list is allowed to buy them.

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB='1785-28'

We were noticably slower with the Armadillos; probably because they are 90 pound tires...even at >100 pounds, they looked a little flat. I would have stuck with them, but we got a flat on a 100k ride last year. I was expecting flatproofness for the rolling penalty we were paying.


Boy, I agree with you here...We hated those tires.

http://tracywilkins.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/wow-can-you-believe-that/

Bring lots of backup batteries for your camera, particularly for the last few days around Monterey and for the ride south down to SLO.....that whole coastline is really something very special.

Bill J.

Hi,

I would never start a big bike trip with a rear tire that had a known bad spot. Especially a tandem where you will have you and your spouse on. For saftey and the chance to eliminate a flat in the rain or at the end of a long day on the bike.

We have been riding Michelin pro race 700x25 which appear fatter than a normal 25. I have not measured one. Also Panaracer tires did well but did not ride quite as smooth as Continental or the Michelins.

To finish off on a positive note. We rode that stretch of highway on a Santana rally and it has spectacular scenery.

Rob

We have been riding Michelin pro race 700x25 which appear fatter than a normal 25. I have not measured one.they are big for 25s. they are bigger than the avocet 28s and continental 28s i have. the schwalbe 30 i have is not much bigger. they are nice and fast but we kept getting way too many pinch flats with them and had to go with something heavier on the back as most of the people i ride with make for a 350+ lb team

Boy, I agree with you here...We hated those tires.

http://tracywilkins.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/wow-can-you-believe-that/

Hmmm. Hadn't thought about the speed issue particularly. Now you have me thinking that I may try a set to see for myself. According to "Weight Weenies" the Armadillos are 200g (400 per set!) heavier than the Contis - that's a lot!