Tires: Bontrager Hard Case Vs. Specialized Armadillo
#1
Bikesman
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Northern Clime
Posts: 364
Bikes: Giant Seek 1 IGH; Specialized Roubaix On Order
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Tires: Bontrager Hard Case Vs. Specialized Armadillo
Hello -
I currently have Hard Case Race Lite tires on my city bike (700x32) and have not had a flat in 4,000kms. - can I expect similar flat proofness on my road bike with these tires at 700x23?
How about the specialized Armadillo - are these comparable? (the Roubaix Armadillo Elite)
Thanks and please excuse the noobness of the inquiry.
I currently have Hard Case Race Lite tires on my city bike (700x32) and have not had a flat in 4,000kms. - can I expect similar flat proofness on my road bike with these tires at 700x23?
How about the specialized Armadillo - are these comparable? (the Roubaix Armadillo Elite)
Thanks and please excuse the noobness of the inquiry.
#2
B+ roadie I guess?
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Roseville, CA
Posts: 1,287
Bikes: 2013 BMC GranFondo GF01 Ui2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would not recommend Armadillos as from what I have heard around here on BF that while they are very durable, their ride quality is very harsh. I would recommend going with Continental GatorSkins as a better alternative.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 661
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm running bontrager x lite hardcase tires right now in 700x23. They aren't flat proof but a puncture is a rare event (I had a couple of flats while riding to work for a few months).
I agree with acaurora and would skip the Armadillos; the ride quality is horrible.
I agree with acaurora and would skip the Armadillos; the ride quality is horrible.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,830
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7, Trek Emonda ALR, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 751 Post(s)
Liked 1,666 Times
in
980 Posts
I have the 23 version of the Race Lite HC on my CAAD9 and no flats in just under 1000 miles on them and the 28's I had on my Trek had almost 2800 miles with only 1 flat until I had to replace them. Only tire I ride now.
#5
Burning Matches.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 9,714
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4076 Post(s)
Liked 1,002 Times
in
676 Posts
Gatorskins ride is twice as good but they'll flat twice as often. Of course 2x0 = 0...
__________________
ElJamoquio didn't hate the world, per se; he was just constantly disappointed by humanity.
#6
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Upland Ca
Posts: 19,895
Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I know some lite guys that have complained about too many flats with the Armadillo elites. I'm a heavier ride and flatted far to many times on Gatorskins.
I did use an Armadillo throughout the entire year of 09, NOT ONE FLAT! ...That includes city roads, streets, mtn roads, climbs and trail rides. Toughest tire I've ever used but did seem a bit heavy (700X25).
I did use an Armadillo throughout the entire year of 09, NOT ONE FLAT! ...That includes city roads, streets, mtn roads, climbs and trail rides. Toughest tire I've ever used but did seem a bit heavy (700X25).
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 322
Bikes: 2011 Serotta Ottrott, Serotta TI Road Bike, Serotta TI MTB,Ritchey Breakaway Ti Cross, Trek Rumblefish Pro, Cannondale Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have the Armadillo Roubaix Elites and rode 5000 miles on them since June 15. I've had two flats (one was one of those survey markers that look like a giant thumbtack and one was a wire from a radial tire piece). The rear tire wore out at 3500 miles and the front one is still on the bike.
I replaced the rear tire because there were cuts from the survey marker and some cuts from glass, etc. The actual tire tread would probably have lasted more miles but I didn't want to chance a tire split when I can afford to buy another tire.
I can't really tell you if they ride any harsher than other tires as they are the only ones I've had on this bike (09 Specialized Roubaix Elite). I don't want fix a flat when it's 100+ degrees so I stick with this tire.
P.S. I think these tires are really 25's. They say 23/25 because they have the width of 25mm but the tire is tapered and the contact patch is supposed to be the same as a 23.
I replaced the rear tire because there were cuts from the survey marker and some cuts from glass, etc. The actual tire tread would probably have lasted more miles but I didn't want to chance a tire split when I can afford to buy another tire.
I can't really tell you if they ride any harsher than other tires as they are the only ones I've had on this bike (09 Specialized Roubaix Elite). I don't want fix a flat when it's 100+ degrees so I stick with this tire.
P.S. I think these tires are really 25's. They say 23/25 because they have the width of 25mm but the tire is tapered and the contact patch is supposed to be the same as a 23.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BigOshow14
Hybrid Bicycles
2
02-25-14 05:20 PM
adamant
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
10
04-23-10 02:03 PM