Originally Posted by
Kedosto
Huh. So I've been doing it wrong for all these years? I commute rain or shine 28+ mi. round trip on Specialized Armadillos. Nimbus, All Condition, and now Infinity. Mostly 38's but have used 45's down to 32's.
Armadillos aren't the cheapest, lightest, or plushest tires money can buy, but I haven't found a tire that can match their durability and flat protection. I've tried EVERY major brand of tire. Every single one. The Schwalbe Marathon came close, but their weight, cost and limited availability proved to be too much for me.
Selecting a tire requires an evaluation of what the rider believes is most important. In my case, flat protection is paramount. I simply cannot risk getting a flat in one of the many bad areas I pass through. I readily agree that the Armadillos aren't the softest riding tire, but 38's at 45/70psi is pretty damned comfortable.
The OP needs to decide which factor is most important for the ride. Durability? Weight? Cost? Flat protection? Reflection? Looks? Every tire offers a blend of each, with some factors expressed more than others. No tire excels in all areas; there is always a compromise.
-Kedosto
Nobody's saying you are doing it wrong, it's right for you if your main concern is only flat protection.
That's not my biggest concern and I was giving OP my viewpoint. I personally have ridden those tires and hated them. I suspect you also have not ridden any really high end tires if you find them comfortable with those incredibly stiff sidewalls, but if they work for you, they work for you. I trust OP is an intelligent enough person to understand that all these comments are people's opinions and evaluate them as such.