trmcgeehan

After consulting the Forum, I decided to buy two Michelin Axial Carbon tires because they were known to be flat resistant. Yesterday, my first time out with them, I got not one, but two flats, caused by very small, but sharp thorns. I managed to fix the first flat, but the second happened after dark and I had to walk the damn bike five miles to get home! Didn't someone on the Forum say this clincher is the only tire to ever win a Tour segment? I paid $56 for two tires, including tax and transportation. Got them from Road Tires Direct. Maybe I need self-sealing tubes, or maybe Mr. Tuffy liners?

pokey

I never heard of them being paricularly flat resistant.They are light tires,and slime like products or liners will defeat the lightness and you will still get flats. Continental Gatorskins,Vredestein Fortezzas, or Specialized Armadillos are known and proven flat RESISTANT tires. What does a tire winning a tour stage have to do with flat resistance anyway.Just more applesauce,as race tires are light weight and made for performance,not flat resistance.Hard to have it both ways.

Greg

It always amazes me how people think a road tire can somehow repel sharp objects.

Flats are an unfortunate result of riding. A given. Until you know this, no peace will be found.

pokey

A wise man indeed.Why is the concept so difficult for so many?

pokey

There are times when a spare tube is good to have.Consider a 30 mile walk,or a cell phone.

DnvrFox

Them thar sound like goatheads.

We revel in goatheads around here. They multiply faster than rabbits.

Since I changed to Specialized Armadillos I have had not one flat, "0", nada!!

Perhaps a mite slower, but, considering the time and inconvenience of changing and fixing tubes, faster all 'round.

Who in this forum told you that Michelins were so great - especially for flat prevention?

P. B. Walker

I can back up the Specialized Armadillos Pro. First rear tire got 1800 miles on them without a flat. Had to replace it because of wear. The first front tire is still going strong without a flat. Have approx. 2500 on that one. The new rear tire has 600+ and without a flat yet.

So basically, I've also had no flats with the Armadillos. I've even bought a pair of the Armidillos Nimbus for my Mountain bike that I converted into my commuting bike. No flats on those either. The tires I had before that, 8 flats in 3 days of commuting.

I'll probably never buy a different tire... ever.


PBW

Bandit

i experimented with continental ultragatorskins in the hope of finding a lighter tire that is as flat resistant as armdillos. the result: flatted first time out, and when i rolled it off the road and into a field, it picked up six goat heads in the front and one in the back! i'm back on armadillos, now, and i'll never switch.

btw ... even though armadillos are flat resistant they are NOT flat proof. i always carry a spare tube AND some patches for emergencies like you recently had. on that awful goat-head morning i replaced the tube with six goat-head holes and patched the tube with "only" two holes. it allowed me to limp the rest of the way to work. it was dark then, too, but i used my headlight as a work light.

my suggestion: go with armadillos but figure out a system that allows you to fix flats in the dark. a tiny flashlight, perhaps, or push the bike to a place under a streetlamp. sooner or later you'll get a flat, or even multiple flats, no matter which tire you ride.

P. B. Walker

I'm with Bandit... I carry a spare tube (two if I'm going to be doing a long distance ride (100+)) plus patch kits. And since I do commuting in the dark, I bought two of those small flashlights that use 2 AA batteries. They are small enough that I can just hold the flashlight in my mouth while I work and it fits in my under the saddle bag. I got one for each of my bikes.

Like someone mentioned above... you *will* flat, someday, somehow, sometime. So be prepared for both tires to flat at the worst possible moment and you'll be fine.

PBW

Bandit

P.B. ... out of curiosity, how does the "armadillo pro" compare to the "armadillo?" i bought the standard armadillo because it is available in the 28c size, whereas the pro is not, but i'm tempted to try the pro in a smaller size.

have you tried both? are they equally flat resistant? does the pro roll faster?

thanks ....

dougc

I have had several flats on Axial Carbons. I started using them because they wear well, not so much for flat-prevention. The high-carbon compound is harder than some other tires, which makes them wear resistant, but probably provides a tad less traction than softer tires. I just replaced my rear tire, which had just under 5000 miles on it. After a rash of flats while riding near the Jersey short, I put a Mr. Tuffy liner in my back tire and have not had a flat since. I don't bother putting one in front, since front tire flats have been rare events. After one ride, I picked two pieces of glass out of the tire, either of which would have probably caused a flat without the liner.

I also have Mr. Tuffy liners on my commuter, both front and back. I managed to run over a broken bottle this morning with a sickening crunch, but without flatting. I have had no flats since putting the liners in last Spring.

I have never used Armadillos, mostly because of warnings from my LBS about the harsh ride which results from the reinforced sidewalls.

P. B. Walker

Sorry... my mistake. The tire I have is a Specialized Turbo Armadillo Tire. I got it because ti was the only one that came in 700 x 26c. I think it rides pretty fast. It's also available in 700 x 23c, which is probably the most common road tire size.

The tires on my MB are Specialized Nimbus Armadillo Tires size 26 x 1.50. THey also come in 700 x 28c and 700 x 38c. They seem to work just as well.

Both corner pretty good too. I haven't had any slippage.

I don't think there is a armadillo pro.. sorry about that... it's the turbo. The turbo and nimbus are the only two I've tried. Love them both.

PBW

P. B. Walker

Dang, 5000 miles on a tire. That's ALOT in my opinion. Mine went after about 1300. At least my rear. I'm still working on the front and it's got about 2500 on it. 5000 blows my mind.


In my experience the ride is very smooth and very quiet. I've ridden next to guys with much noiser bikes and tires. If I get a tailwind and I'm cranking along pretty good, I don't hear a sound.

PBW

Bandit

P.B. ... actually, there IS a turbo armadillo light. (https://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProd...ection=13038&=)

i thought that's what you were referring to as a "pro." it is billed as having "armadillo technology" in a lighter tire. i haven't talked to anyone who has tried it and i was curious about it. no biggie.

i suspect it is not as rugged as the regular armadillo turbo, which we all know and love.

P. B. Walker

Plus, I think the "lite" version was only offered last year. I don't see a 2003 version of the lite on their website. Mmmm... maybe it didn't sell like they wanted.

PBW

DnvrFox

I get a kick out of posts like this.

Sometime back a poster named

trmcgeehan

posted a question.

We all pop in with our "wisdom" and trmcgeehan is never heard from again.

Oh well, I at least learned something from you guys (a little, I giess!!)

roadbuzz

Gawd, I hope not. When someone tells one like that, I back away... wouldn't want to be too close if they were hit by lightning.

SteveE

Preposterous! Everyone knows tires don't win Tours, bicycles win Tours!

Falchoon

Silly me, I thought it was the riders!

Back to the subject at hand...I have Specialised Turbo on my road bike and have run over all manner of objects and have not had a puncture yet in approx 2000km. I believe the Turbos have now been superseeded by the Armadillos (the tyres were OEM on my 2001 bike). I'm not saying they are puncture proof, I'm sure it's just a matter of time! I try not to tempt fate too much, Ialways carry a spare tube and a patch kit.

roadbuzz

Ya know, this thread brings up a point that bugs me every time a tire thread comes up (bad pun was unintentional, y'all).

Peoples experiences with the same tires vary like crazy. Sure, there might be some variables with the tires, like maybe someone has last years model, but it seems like there are other things.

Like in this case. I wish I knew what he was using before. One time I recommended Armadillos to a rider looking for a bulletproof tire. He tried them and promptly got a couple of flats. :confused:

So, I wonder what the main variables are. I think road surface and temperature are significant factors. How are you going to relate that info... 'dude, it's, like, sharp little grey rocks, with this black tar *****'.

cane

Agreed

urban_assault

flats...flats..funny word when you arwe drunk..

I've given up on Michelins. I carry two spare tubes and a patch kit. even with armadillos, flats happen. I fix them and move on.

I ran obver a beer bottle on saturday and cut another tire

I booted it with a dollar bill and will have to get a new tire whren i can.


flats suck.

I apologize...i've been drinkin'. don'
t worry...i don't drink odten :sleep:
i'm going to sleep noew.

Bobsled

That's biketiresdirect.com BTW. They seem to have very good prices. How's their service? TIA.

greywolf

i used to get flatys so often i was buying new tyres every couple of months (cheap ones) as the glass was cutting right thro them & they would start to bulge were the cut was, the tubes became so loaded with patches i had to change them more often than the tyres!. i bit the bullet & bought a pair of specialised turbo s- works flak jacket & touch wood i hav`nt had a flaty yet. about 3000 ks. im going rotate front to rear soon. so realy the more expensive tyres have saved me cash in tyres & tubes & a lot of frustration +the fold-up version is easy to work with if you do get a flat,i still carry 2 spare tubes+ a puncture kit, i keep the tubes in plastic bags with talc. powder in them this is a big help when putting it all back together

Hawkphoto

Hey Urn\ban Assault!

I juss startedd drinkin'
and i 'm laughing may ass off at yer postr.

I drink anlot though,m...

peace out