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street tuff tires?

Old 01-27-07, 10:56 PM
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street tuff tires?

I was looking at specialized Armadillos?

any good/bad things?

any other suggestions for 25 - 28 wide 700c tires that will handle street abuse?
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Old 01-27-07, 11:16 PM
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Schwalbe Marathon are great armored commuter tires... get the non slick option for even more toughness. I run the 28s on my geared bike and haven't flatted yet in over 1000 km of riding. *knocks wood, turns around three times, throws salt over left shoulder*
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Old 01-27-07, 11:18 PM
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amardillos:
+ super tough
- handling

i've heard good things about soma everwears though
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Old 01-27-07, 11:31 PM
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I'm running a set of Continental Ultrasports that I've had good luck with so far-- came with the bike so I'm just waiting until they wear down to throw some Gatorskins on. Anyhow, I've run over plenty of glass, found a shard or two in the tire after a ride and no problems. They're pretty cheap, too.
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Old 01-27-07, 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by ryand
amardillos:
+ super tough
- handling

i've heard good things about soma everwears though

very true on the armadillos, I've been rocking them for 4 or 5 months now, so probably about a 1000 miles on them, and they're still going strong. However, I definately don't feel as comfortable cornering hard on them as I have on other tires. I've heard they wear super-fast on skids though (I run a brake and use it, so I have no idea).
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Old 01-28-07, 12:18 AM
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Gatorskins are tough as hell and have great traction, even in the rain.
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Old 01-28-07, 12:38 AM
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Vittoria Randonneur
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Old 01-28-07, 12:41 AM
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I've been using armadillos since about June. They take skipping and skidding well. I skip a lot and I am happy with their performance. I don't have a problem cornering at all, but I also don't lean into turns too much because of massive pedal scraping with my awesomely low bottom bracket.
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Old 01-28-07, 02:59 AM
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conti gp 4 seasons. Near invincible.
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Old 01-28-07, 03:02 AM
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I've had gatorskins on my winter bike (not fixed) for 2000 miles.
very hardwearing and cheap.

I like vittoria evo cx's as a day to day/ race type tyre but they wear way too fast for serious winter useage.

I've heard very good things about the rubino's but i've never used them myself.

gators are recommended though, dead tough, but they grip too
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Old 01-28-07, 08:02 AM
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Soma (Panaracer) Everwear
Rivendell (panaracer) Ruffy-Tuffy
Pretty much anything Continental, though Gatorskins don't get very good traction.
 
Old 01-28-07, 08:22 AM
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I've been riding on Gatorskins for two years now without
a single flat.
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Old 01-28-07, 10:10 AM
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I really like my Everwears, although they don't have a kevlar band and only go up to 26mm. They ride really nicely and go up to 140 psi, though. No flats thus far (5 months).
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Old 01-28-07, 10:16 AM
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Ive been looking into specialized flak-jackets. they seem like a decent cheaper alternative to armadillos.
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Old 01-28-07, 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by juvi-kyle
Vittoria Randonneur

took the words right out of my mouth. i thought armadillos were bombproof, then i found these. these define "bombproof".

randonneur in back, racelite hardcase in front...flat-free for a looooong time.
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Old 01-28-07, 10:50 AM
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The Randonneur doesn't come any narrower than 27?
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Old 01-28-07, 11:56 AM
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I ride with an Armadillo in back and a Conti 4 Seasons GP in front.

This combo handles beautifully.

The Conti grips wet and dry surfaces and has enough armor for a front tire.

The Armadillo takes a beating and keeps on rolling.

I weigh 235 all up and run into a lot of glass.
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Old 01-28-07, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by blu3d0g
very true on the armadillos, I've been rocking them for 4 or 5 months now, so probably about a 1000 miles on them, and they're still going strong. However, I definately don't feel as comfortable cornering hard on them as I have on other tires. I've heard they wear super-fast on skids though (I run a brake and use it, so I have no idea).
Nah. I've been skidding my heart away on some Armadillos in the back for 6 months now, they've handled very well until the last 3 or so weeks. Now there's definitely a strange sound if/when I skid them as opposed to before it sounded normal, but I've checked numerous times and they're still not worn down to the threads. People say they don't handle as well but for me I don't know the difference yet, I haven't exactly ridden anything else regularly except stock oldschool Schwinn tires (Varisty and Le Tour) and MTB tires (snow eaters ). But I'll be switching to Gatorskins after they're completely dead.

I've also never suffered a flat and I ride through plenty of glass and pebbles, and I'm running a Vittoria Zaffino up front which also hasn't popped out yet.

Does anyone run Michelin Pro2's? Any good?
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Old 01-28-07, 01:01 PM
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Does anyone make a Baltimore proof tire, that will withstand needles, broken crack viles, crab shell fragments, and gunshots?
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Old 01-28-07, 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by andre nickatina
Does anyone run Michelin Pro2's? Any good?
I ran them for three weeks. I was skidding a lot and caught a piece of glass. It took a chunk out that went down to the threads.

I gave up on michelin after that.

--Aaron
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Old 01-28-07, 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by sbcdestroy
I was looking at specialized Armadillos?

any good/bad things?

any other suggestions for 25 - 28 wide 700c tires that will handle street abuse?
Schwalbe Marathon Plus - indestructible. They have 700Cx25, 700Cx28, 700Cx32, 700Cx35, 700Cx47 and maybe other! Knock yourself off. Roll well on road and dirt, and since they will last forever, they are good value for money, regardless of how much you pay for them. Still, in the US you should be able to get them for around $30.

Did I mention they are indestructible?
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Old 01-28-07, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by taken67
Does anyone make a Baltimore proof tire, that will withstand needles, broken crack viles, crab shell fragments, and gunshots?
Jeah. Gatorskins. I always tell people you can ride over razor blades with them.

They are practical in the B-More City, too. I think mine have taken about 30 Tec-9 rounds on Charles Street. No North Avenue yet, though. I don't have a death wish.
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Old 01-28-07, 05:39 PM
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baltimore is hard shizi. I was there for less than an hour and a half for lunch on a road trip and saw tons of crackheads yelling at anyone and everyone.

But yea, gatorskins are good stuff. I wouldn't put an armadillo in the front, but I seem to get more flats in the rear tire than the front.
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Old 01-28-07, 06:24 PM
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ive been running armadillos regularly for about 3 years (not the same set obviously) and they are pretty great in regards to flat protection. they dont grip all that well, but just keep it in mind and you are golden.

specialized also makes the armadillo elite, which is folding bead instead of wire and gives much better grip. the rolling area offers just as much protection but the sidewalls are thinner. i rode these for a few months but a sharp rock got the best of the flexible sidewall.

i vote for the 'dillos
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Old 01-28-07, 06:27 PM
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Schwalbe Stelvio plus if you don't skid.
Grippy as hell.
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