Commuting - only armadillos? l@@king for 26x1.5 fast and puncture-resistant city tire for a mtb

Hey,
I ride my specialized rockhopper exclusively in the city (...I know but it is too late now) The bike is already quiet heavy (fenders, back rack, u-lock) so I am afride that the armies will turn it into a tank. I am already the slowest kid on the block. I don't mind it as much. I dont get too many flats but I need protection just in case and also I want the ride as easy as possible. What do you recommend? Is there other options?

I just installed these http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=26571&subcategory_ID=5425 on a old mtb yesterday for my daughter. Just took a quick test ride but the bike peddles and roll much better. Price isn't bad either.

Schwalbe Marathon Supremes (http://www.schwalbetires.com/marathon_supreme) come in a 26x1.6

Schwalbe Marathon Supremes (http://www.schwalbetires.com/marathon_supreme) come in a 26x1.6

+1 Great tires. There's also the Marathon Plus in 26x1.35. Pretty heavy, but VERY flat resistant.

It's not 1.5", but it is 26", fast and puncture resistant -- Continental Ultra Gatorskins.

http://www.rei.com/product/768508

They list is as 26x1 1/8, but don't let the fractional size scare you. It's a normal MTB diameter. On the other hand, it's 28 mm wide, so depending on your wheels, it might be too narrow.

Panaracer Urban Max also in a 26x1.25. Performance sells them

I've had really good luck with these performance tires (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=26288&subcategory_ID=5425). They have a kevlar bead, hold up to 60 psi, and last a good long while.

I still use tire liners during the winter months, though. There is just too many sharp things that get deposited along with the snow and road-sand along the side of the road during the winter.

+1 to the Marathon Plus. Yeah, they're heavy... but they roll smooth and you don't notice the weight. Especially when you're rolling through a curb lane full of pointy stuff and none of it makes it though the puncture belt.

I went 3500 miles on a pair without a single problem. Then I gave the bike to a friend and he's gone another 1000 miles on those same tires.

I run Continental Ultra Gatorskins in the ATB size (26x1 1/8, 559-28). They are really tough and not very heavy. They feel great to ride, very smooth.

Before these I tried Specialized Fat Boys. They seemed okay until I rode the Contis. The Gatorskins feel much much better.

Vittoria Randonuer Pro. I started running these this spring on two bikes. A little less money than Gatorskins, better ride, reflective sidewall, reasonably light, and better wet grip.

I run a 1.4 ritchey tom slick on the front...it isn't tough enough for the back but is a great ride and a 1.5 panaracer rimbo on the rear. The rimbo is very tough, the ride ir rougher than the tom slick but it doesn't cut up from the glass. I also run tire liners just in case.

Thank you all for your input. I narrowed it down to the two three tires either Contis Sport Contact or Kojaks, they both go for $34 or Panaracer Urban Max - I think $50 is too much for a tire.... The problem is that contis look better and kojaks have better specs and panas are the litest....Some people say that a bigger tire 1.5 is handles holes better than 1.25 Panaracer.... What do you say?

Contis:
26x1.3 (559 ISO),
85 PSI Max,
Weight:
444g,
wire bead (black or reflective)

vs

Kojaks:
SIZE: ISO 35-559 mm (26 x 1.35 in.)
PRESSURE: 95 psi
WEIGHT: 395 grams
BEAD: Wire
CONSTRUCTION: RaceGuard; 67 TPI
TUBE: Schwalbe 12A

Pana Urban Max
Weight: 344g/260g
Size(s): 700c x 32, 26 x 1.25"
Max. PSI: 95/80
TPI: NA
Bead: Wire

ritchey tom slick
Max. PSI: 100
Size(s): 26 x 1.0", 26 x 1.4"
Weight: 320g
TPI: NA
Bead: Wire

I had some contis...just stay away from road debris. They ride and feel great but I trashed my rear. The only thing that saved me was my mr tuffy liner.

Hey Guys, thanks for the previous input...I found that I like the two Conits Ultra Gator Skins and Sport Contact two tires....I would assume that the first is for puncture resistance and second for speed. However I have a standard 26" MTB (rockhopper) so I worry that 1-1/8 be too narrow for me???
..I am not heavy but the bike is heavier (fenders, U lock, some stuff in a pannier, any my backpack)

I noticed that some of you put a different tire on the front and a different on the back? what is that about? again looking to be fast and fairly durable (currently get a flat once every few weeks but need more security)

Another option is Vredestein Perfect Moiree. Very durable and cheaper alternative to Schwalbe Marathon. $22 each

Your weight matters in this choice perhaps. I am very heavy (230), and I have have to keep 26 x1.25 tires at pretty high pressure to keep my rims off the ground when I go over any kind of bump. That's fine, and they roll fast that way, but I would prefer sometimes to have a bit more cushion under me. I have used several brands of 1.5, and the difference is huge in this regard.

j

Schwalbe Marathon Supremes (http://www.schwalbetires.com/marathon_supreme) come in a 26x1.6

I don't think those go into production until June... and even then good luck getting your hands on a set.

I've got the 26 x 2. marathon supremes. I've run lots of different tires on that bike- 1.5s, 1.6s, 1.4s, 1.75s and now 2.0s. Last year was the 1.4, this year is the 2.0 and I'm just as happy. It's a more comfy ride and not really any slower (in commuting terms at least)

They've got good puncture resistance, and they roll nicely and handle VERY well. The only cons are the price and they're a bit noisy at cruising speed.

also I think completely slick and completely black tires look better on my bike vs ultra gator skins (brown strip on the side) what would you say to sport contacts 26x1.3 vs gator skins 26x1-1/8 if I dont get that many flats with old kenda tires....should compromise looks for performance choosing sport contacts I saw them on a dahon the other day and the wavy stripe looks awesome...but I want to go as narrow as it is recommended so I would go for 1.3's...?

All I know is I love my Armadillos. Three years and no flats, granted summertime riding and only 14 mi. RT but still I can't knock em.

+1 Great tires. There's also the Marathon Plus in 26x1.35. Pretty heavy, but VERY flat resistant.

+1 for the Marathon Plus...the #1 choice for touring and commuting.

As an added bonus, they have reflective sidewalls, to help make you more visible at night. www.biketiresdirect.com has them in stock, they ship quick, and no sales tax.

All I know is I love my Armadillos. Three years and no flats, granted summertime riding and only 14 mi. RT but still I can't knock em.Are you on a 26" Armadillo?
The ride of other Armadillos are just fine; but the 26" version on a fast down hill sucks, like riding on a square tire.

Now the Specialized 26x1.25" Fatboy rides great and is almost as flat resistant as an Armadillo, plus it is rated at 100 psi.

Now the Specialized 26x1.25" Fatboy rides great and is almost as flat resistant as an Armadillo, plus it is rated at 100 psi.

I had a set of Fatboys before my Gatorskins. To me, the Gatorskins feel much better than the Fatboys even though they are even higher pressure (116 psi).

I had a set of Fatboys before my Gatorskins. To me, the Gatorskins feel much better than the Fatboys even though they are even higher pressure (116 psi).I would not argue with that. Fatboys is sort of a mid-price range option at $25 a tire.

Panaracer Pasela Tourguards have served me competently, and cost $20 with a steel bead. I've ridden them all winter through messes and puddles and all of that. The only flat they got was in their first 20 miles or so, with a piece of wire hitting the tread perpendicularly and causing a slow leak. That's hard to defend against without a thick layer of rubber, though, and they've been fine since then.

Are you on a 26" Armadillo?
The ride of other Armadillos are just fine; but the 26" version on a fast down hill sucks, like riding on a square tire.

Now the Specialized 26x1.25" Fatboy rides great and is almost as flat resistant as an Armadillo, plus it is rated at 100 psi.

My commute is all flat terrain and I'm not in a hurry to ride the 7.2 mi one way ride. They are the only tires I have ever had on this bike so I don't know or really even care if they are slow or not all I know is I haven't had a flat in three years with them and thats good enough in my book. Heck I'm not in a hurry to do anything anymore.:) If I wanna go fast I'll ride my Volare or Cadent. On those bikes I'm running Panaracer Pasela TG in 700 X 25c