Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Ordered Pista - Tires?

I found out we have a Bianchi dealer here in Bend and I went down and ordered my machine.

As the salesperson took the measurements from my regular ride, he noticed my tires and asked if I felt open to advice.

I told him I did not have a car and I used my bike for everything, year around, and I needed bullet proof tires.
That said, I told him to advise away.

He showed me some 23mm Armadillos and told me they would give me as much flat protection as the tires on my regular ride.

I presently ride on 35mm Panaracer Tservs with Tuffies and Thorn-resistant tubes.

A search of this forum has not revealed one mention of Panaracer Tservs but plenty of endorsements of Armadillos.

Anyway, the salesperson said the Armadillos and my present setup, with equal tire sizes, would weigh the same, provide the same level of protection, cost the same, and that the Armadillos would have the advantage of simplicity.

I like the way my 35mm Panaracer Tservs handle.
However, I have never ridden on 23mm tires and never on Armadillos.
At this point, out of ignorance, I could go either way.

One other factor, I think Bend has dirty streets, with glass and cinder, but people who have ridden elsewhere tell me Bend has particularly clean streets.

So, two questions:

1) Can anyone compare the two setups and make a recommendation? and,

2) I could probably fit 28mm tires of either brand (I hear they both measure more like 25mm) on the Pista, and should I?

My two cents (on this most tricky issue):

Armadillos are pretty much the best of everything if you're a fixie rider. They last a long time (esp if you skid a lot) and have good flat protection. That said their ride quality is pretty poor and they are a little hairy in the wet. My LBS always has 'em cheap so I'm sticking with them.

If you're not a skidder then going for some Conti Gatorskins may give you a better all round experience.

I hated my TServs personally, they just got up cut-up and worn far too quickly and had zero flat protection it seemed. Was delighted to replace 'em. (This was for the 25c width, which BTW come up skinny, more like 23c).

Conti gators blow. They are that half-a$$ middle ground tire. Ride quality not so great and get flats nevertheless. You are better off with some vittoria PRB kevlar belt for ride quality and flat protection. If you want tough as hell and bombproof I recommend vittoria randonneur - double belted touring tires. 28mm but look like armadillo 25mm and ride quite nicel. They absolutely rule in the rain.

i'll double what fixedpip said about the armadillos. they're pretty much the standard tire of the nyc messenger and fix rider beacuse they're fairly cheap, last forever, and skid well.

even if you skid all the rubber off, you can still ride 10 miles on the plain kevlar belt alone.

the main issue i have with armadillos is that when you do skid a lot, they develop slick spots pretty quickly and when riding in the rain, you feel it. (i've gone over in the rain when cornering on those metal plates they put over construction holes, as well as manhole covers).

that said, i've only had two or three real flats in about 4 years of riding them.

i've flatted a few times from things like hopping up on a curb, but slamming my back wheel on the edge of the curb at speed cause i didn't get enough air, and also from getting huge nails stuck right through the tire and tube, but there's not much you can do about that kind of stuff.

i'm all down to get the armadillos also but i'm having a helluva time finding ones fitted for 650c wheels -- anyone have any leads?

I'm running GatorSkins - love em. Armadillos are a little too hard for my liking. Here's a thread on some tires and my tire reviews: http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=799186&postcount=22

Thanks to 46X17 for the tip on vittoria randonneur.

I had read absntr's excellent review earlier, when I did my search.

I think I'll go with the overwhelming favorite, Armadillos.

glass and cinder?... jeez.

Etchr wrote:

"glass and cinder?... jeez."

Pretty tame, eh? :)

One other factor, I think Bend has dirty streets, with glass and cinder, but people who have ridden elsewhere tell me Bend has particularly clean streets.

having ridden in bend and nyc, among other places, i can tell you from personal experience that bend has VERY clean streets. out of your two tire choices, i have only ridden armadillos. they are ok in my book.

It amazes me how many people on this forum have lived in or visited Bend.
Please look me up in the phone book next time you make it here and I'll take you to lunch.

I'm running GatorSkins - love em. Armadillos are a little too hard for my liking.
Seconded. I ran dillos and switched to the conti gators. The ride is much nicer on the contis, and I haven't had a flat yet....knock on concrete.

It amazes me how many people on this forum have lived in or visited Bend.
Please look me up in the phone book next time you make it here and I'll take you to lunch.

cool. my dad still lives there, and rides a lot. it's a beautiful town, in a wonderful state. here's a funny article from the new york times (interesting only to those who know bend). watch out ken, your secret's out. ;)

http://travel2.nytimes.com/mem/travel/article-page.html?res=9B00E7DA163AF936A25753C1A9629C8B63