Spokes man

I've done some forum searches on this and haven't quite found what I'm looking for, so please bear with me . . .

I'm doing some commuting on my hybrid and it's time to replace the tires. Its standard is 700x38 and I realize I could go a bit narrower. It's got Kendas on it now and they've been OK, but . . .

Any recommendations for a good, flat-resistant street tire in this size range?

X-LinkedRider

Would definitely have to recommend the Specialized Armadillo Skins. 700X38 they definitely make. My riding buddy just got those exact tires, and went from a flat every other day to not having a flat yet. I changed my Kenda Kwests with Bontrager Race Lites. But I use 700X32 and these are no good in the rain at all.

ken cummings

I ran a set of Specialized Nimbus Armadillo tires for two years and 7,000 miles with only a couple of flats. Wish I could afford a set again.

Spokes man

I'm looking at the Armadillos, the Nimbus in particular. Hard to tell what's different among some of the Specialized tires. And online, it appears you can only get them through Specialized.com.

sauerwald

I commute on Schwalbe Marathon Plus's - no flats over several thousand miles of crappy roads, good solid tires.

duppie

I have Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. I believe they come in 700x35. What I like about them is that they are the only tires sofar that roll comfortably over grated bridges (of which we have a number in Chicago)

Other tires I (we) have:
- IRC Metro Duro (would not recommend)
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus (rock solid, but heavy)
- Specialized Nimbus Armadillo. Great tire, second to the Marathon Supremes
- Vittoria Randonneur Cross Pro. Great tire, but feels like it has less grip on the grated bridges

All tires are flat resistant and range in price from affordable to expensive. We have approx 8000 miles in the last 18 months with zero flats (knock on wood).
Duppie

på beløb

Dutch Perfect No-Flat.

martianone

Regular Schwalbe Marathon tires are a good choice,
plus they have a reflective sidewall.

Spokes man

How's the rolling resistance on the Schwalbe Marathons? And are they a bear to get on and off the rim in the event of a flat? I thought I had heard that their bead is quite tough, requiring three or more tire levers to pry off.

nashcommguy

They are a 'bear' to get on the rim, but not in the way you'd think. One has to mount the 'back' side of the tire(which is really easy), then insert and seat a partially inflated tube. Then slowly, but surely one 'squeezes' the two beads to seat them and deflate the tube slightly when getting to the 'sticking point'. Once you're within 6-8" of having the tire on take your tire lever and work the rest of the bead over slowly, 'stuffing' the tube gently w/each push of the tire lever. The 'bear' part is to keep the backside bead from slipping off the rim when first getting started inserting the tube. I just got my first set of SMPs(700x28mm) and had a major blowout w/in the first mile of my commute. I'd overinflated the tube as I thought the 120 psi mark on my TpkRdMrph W/G was 100 psi...my bad. Nothing happened to the bead and I was able to put a tube in and be on my way.

BTW, they're great tires and as I've been running Nu-tecks for 2 years a welcome relief from the rolling resistance. Just ordered a set of 700x25mm for my single speed and will get a set of 700x32mm for my hybrid...The Beast. I'll still keep my 700x20mm road tires on my road bike as I don't carry anything, but a multi tool, chain tool and spoke wrench on it.

paulwwalters

I'll second the Armadillos.

gerv 

I'll second that. I run 700x32 on both my touring and commuting bike. The tourer rear tire has been on 2 years w/o a flat.

I did have a problem with the front one, however. Got a flat after 1 year. But discovered that the problem was that I didn't mount it correctly.... I actually managed to expose the wire bead. One downside to this tire is that you have to be very patient installing it. ..

dynaryder

Specialized Infinities in regular Flak Jacket are heavy,but handle well and I've never flatted any FJ's. The 38's have reflective sidewalls. WTB Slickasauruses are nice,but can be hard to find. The Schwalbe Marathon Supremes come in 32,35,and 40. I have the 26x2" on my commuter and they rock. Pricey though.

noteon 

In that size, I've used the Big Apples and the Bontrager Hardcase. When I took the Big Apples off and put the Hardcases on, I stopped having flats on my 26-mile NYC commute.

I now have Marathon Pluses on my 20" bike (Hardcases aren't available in 20"). So far so good, but I don't have enough miles on them to form a solid opinion yet.

Spokes man

Thanks for all the tips, folks! This should help me focus my shopping . . .

gonzohill

Panracer Pasala Tourguard 700 x 37c.

rfomenko

Continental SportContact 700x37. The slicks with Kevlar protection which are great for commuting/fitness riding.

Barrettscv 

Another vote for Armadillos. I'm 230 Lbs and like my Infinity Armadillo 700x38. They are tough on patched-up pot-holes and I can keep 90 PSI, making them fast enough. Best part, no flats.

I keep a pair of 700x28 Gatorskins on a spare set of wheels for faster weekend rides on good pavement.

Michael

Grim

Specialized Flak Jackets front and rear. "Hemisphere" on the front and "Crossroad" on the rear for a little more traction off road. Almost 500 miles and no flats yet (probably jinxed now).