Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Need to buy new tires tomorrow - need a little advice

Hey all,

So i got a bad flat that seems to have taken a a small divet out of my rear tire. Right now I weigh about 285 and my bike came with 700x28c tires. I run them about 120psi and like the firmer ride of high pressure.

I'm thinking of getting some specialized armadillo's to avoid flats since i ride in the city a good bit and would like to help avoid future flats. My questions is this, can I got with 700x25 tires or will i be pushing my luck given my current weight? I've ridden bikes with 700x25 and like the feel better than my current 28's but i don't want to set my self up more issues.

If you ride in the city then maybe Armadillos would be best. But if you want a good tire that has a little bit of a performance edge to them, and still be relatively flat resistant in 25c size then you can try Continental 'Gator Skins' or Vittoria 'Rubino Pro'.

I used both when I was upwards of 260 lbs and they performed pretty good. But for me, the nod goes to 'Rubino Pros' for having only one flat in the 2000 miles I put on them.

I use Bontrager Racelite Hardcase. They are light, fast, durable, and flat free. So I would recommend them. I run 32's, so I can't speak to the 25's, but they make them thin. good luck

I did the Bontrager Race tires at 23 when I was 285 and they worked great (although they only lasted 1,600 miles). The grip is awesome, and during the summer I highly recommend these or something like them.

I just put my Armadillos at 23 on and they aren't fun to ride at all (the rolling resistance is insane but great for training). These things are tough as hell though and you won't have to worry about flats any time soon.

-James

I'm using specialized armadillo's (700X28)that were used on one of the bikes that I bought last spring and I've put about 400 miles on them and no flats so far and I don't baby them.

I've got Bonty Race Lite Hardcase on both my bikes now. running the 700*28's on my hybrid and have 2500+ miles on them and 1 flat and easily have 1000+ miles left on them. I just put some on my road bike, 25's, and have about 500 miles on them now with no flats. Great tire, a little heavy from what I was using, but I hope to have the same results with these as I have on my hybrid. I don't race, so a little extra weight is not going to kill me.

When I was at 260+/- I started with 25c Armadillos. After 2000 miles I wanted to go for a smoother ride so I moved to 23c Continental 2000s and I love them. They run at 120psi and have been great. The Armadillos were flat free for the 2000 miles and the Contis have been flat free for the 800 miles I've used them. I think that the key isn't the size as much as keeping them properly inflated.

I use Bontrager Racelite Hardcase. They are light, fast, durable, and flat free. So I would recommend them. I run 32's, so I can't speak to the 25's, but they make them thin. good luck

I use the 25s and I'm 230ish and they're brilliant. Pumped up to 120psi I haven't had any problems with pinch flats even with my tendency to bunny hop obstacles (badly) and occasionally smack the rear into them.

I'm a big fan of the Conti Ultra Gatorskins, 700 x 28. I've been running those on my bike since the beginning of the year (with a couple of weeks off, when I ran my studs in the snow/ice) and got over 2800 miles from the rear before my first flat, and took it up to almost 3100 miles before it really needed replacing.

I've got friends who run the Bontrager Hardcase tires, and they're happy with those, too. I only know one guy running Armadillos, and his complaint is the same as what I've frequently heard here on BF; it's like riding on tires made from concrete. The Armadillos, while strong, are a very rough ride because it's a very stiff tire.
Another brand to consider is Schwalbe, and check out the Marathon Plus. I had a pair of those on my old MTB commuter and went over 3000 flat free miles. I finally gave the bike away, and my friend is still riding flat-free on the same tires.

Another brand to consider is Schwalbe, and check out the Marathon Plus.

Should be renamed Mafia Plus as it's like putting concrete overshoes onto your bike.

I'm 330 lbs and have ridden the Armadillo's for years. The largest that will fit on my Litespeed is 700 x 25. I wear them out until the tread belt separates from the cords. Never a flat.

My 2 cents...
I am also a Clydesdale. I have tried several different sizes, from 25c to 40c.
This year I am using 32c, but the roads here are getting bad and I may go to
35c next year. Those are advertised sizes... The real size is more like 31 now and
32 or 33 if I go Schwalbe.

There is no point in using a large tire if you are going to run 120 psi. When I used 28c I run about 90psi, give or take a bit. There's no need for more for me.
The ride is sweeter and the last longer.

If you want high pressure you might as well go 25 or 23.

But if I was you, I'd stick with something close to 28c and just get a better tire. And I'd drop the pressure to about 100 psi in the back and about 90 up front.

I used the Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy 27c for years and loved them. If the roads weren't going to heck around here I'd prob still be using them.

Look at Soma Everwears.....you'll probably have the sidewalls rot before you wear the tread out, and they've stood up well all summer on my road bike.

I ended up getting some 25C Armadillo's. Love em so far

I'm running specialized armadillo's 700x25 on my new bike I have just about 100 mile on them so far with no problems at all I'm currently 270 lbs. and run 125-130psi

Conti Ultra Gatorskins for me. 25s now but ran 28s for the past few years - have had only one flat ever with these tires.