WalksOn2Wheels

Just thought I'd put this up after a pretty successful run on a set of Specialized All Condition Armadillo tires (700x25) on my commuter. I started commuting last September and started on a pretty fresh pair of these tires. I had bought them at the local shop because they were wire bead tires that were relatively cheap (35 bucks a piece) and I was putting them on my '87 Sirrus that I was rebuilding as a grocery run bike. So they had some miles on them, but not much, by the time I started commuting.

I rode these bad boys over some awful, awful roads for months. I eventually moved and found a smoother route, but will occasionally return to my old route if I need to get to that part of town for some reason. I'm talking terribly cratered roads that would regularly have a broken bottle or two along the way. And no, I wasn't one of those folks that scrub their tires with their gloves when they run over glass (notice the past tense. I do this as of Saturday. )

Anyhow, all that to say that I really put these tires through the paces in terms of pinch flat opportunities and punctures and in all these months of riding, I have only had one flat on these. That's right, just one. During the semester I was riding 4-5 days a week even through winter. This summer, a little less because I'm starting to hate the heat. And the flat finally came when, of all places, I was on a leisurely ride with my wife and her parents on an MUP (Trinity Trails in FW). And even then, I sort of noticed the front tire was low towards the end, but it had to sit overnight to fully flat, so I got to change the tube in the comfort of my apartment. It was a tiny, tiny piece of wire that had finally gotten in and punctured the tube.

So after about 10 months of serious commuting on these tires, I gave them a close inspection for any glass or whatever might be embedded into the rubber and found a few bits here and there. But my rear had finally worn almost to the second layer which was peaking in a couple of spots, so I finally replaced it. The shop didn't have the wire bead tires, so I had to shell out for the kevlar bead. It was the same tire, but the "elite" model. That was 63 bucks (hence the reason I started cleaning my tires with my gloves after running over glass).

After some internet consulation, I put the new tire on the front and put the worn front tire on the rear.

Anyhow, kind of long, but I just wanted to share my pretty positive experience with these tires. Almost a full year of commuting and I've yet to do a road side flat repair.

EDIT: A link to the tire:

https://www.specialized.com/se/en/bc/...jsp?spid=57076

Titmawz

One of my hipster friends loves those tires. I have to admit that you get them at a great price man ! Other than that I have the specialized all condition tire which I love. They make some great tires but for some reason it seems as if the LBS is inflating the prices...

El Gigante

Thanks for recounting your experiences with the Specialized All Condition Armadillos. I have a set on my Tricross , (700 x 28), that I've been running after the original Borough Cross tires started to wear out. I commute through some pretty trashed streets in downtown Los Angeles, and have had one flat so far in about three months of riding. Funny thing is that it was the exact type of hazard that you ran over - a tiny sliver of wire about 1/4" long - that did me in. I've ran over glass, nails, some pretty deep potholes, and . . . nada. Sounds like you got a good price on yours too. I think I paid around $60 a tire including tubes.

Good to know that the tires seem pretty bulletproof. But, we both know that just by saying that we'll probably have three flats within the next three weeks!!

labrat

I have a set in 630 x 32 (27 x 1 1/4) and agree with the positive attributes mentioned. They also tickle my funny bone since they are not only tires they are also an oxymoron (are they Specialized or are they All Conditions?)

One thing no one has mentioned yet is ride quality. The reason they only reside on only one of my bikes is when run at the pressure recommended on the sidewall they ride almost like they were made of solid rubber. Subtle isn't even in their vocabulary.

Great tires for glass strewn, bombed out streets but don't expect a plush ride.

ryanwood

my armadillos are up to about 6,000 miles with no flats. I run a 700x32 up front with a 700x35 in the rear. I run the wider tire in the rear because when I am loaded up in touring mode; it's nice to have a little more give in the rear tire, and when commuting I drop the pressure down to give a little extra comfort.

As mentioned above, these tires are rugged as all get out, but ride like it. I don't plan on putting armadillos on my touring bike when the current set wears out simply because of ride quality, but my commuter will get more, it's hard to argue with such a tough tire for such a good price.

DogBoy

I like the flat avoidance of the armadillos (same as you...700-25 AC) but hated the ride feel. I felt like the wheels were dead. I have now gone to the gatorskins. More $, less flat protection (mostly in the sidewall) but I like the ride better. I don't have nearly the nasty roads you are talking about though, and I have very few flats. Thanks for the review!

WalksOn2Wheels

I guess I just haven't been riding long enough to comment on road feel of the tires. I've been riding off and on again since 2003, but only seriously in that year and this past year of commuting. That's why I put review in quotation marks. That and I didn't keep a reliable recording of my mileage (changed batteries in my computer and it reset itself).

For the most part, I prefer to use one of those calculators that give you a recommended front and rear setting and go from there. Takes a bit of playing around to get that sweet spot between rolling resistance and a "comfortable" ride. I'm on a nearly 25 year old steel racing frame, so comfort doesn't much enter the equation either way. Wide(er) tires and softish pressures are the best route for that frame when commuting. Who knows, I might see a world of difference if I were to suddenly try the Continentals, but I generally can't afford them and know I don't have to fix flats in 100 degree heat with the Specialized tires.

scoatw

I've been getting over 5k on my "Nimbus" Armadillos, 1.5's. And I'm lucky if I get two flats on them. I commute everyday with them. It's the best tire I've ridden on in the 28 years that I've been riding.

gdhillard

I have the Nimbus Armadillos also, and run them at full inflation. Love them, and excited to see if I can get 5000 miles, too.

SurlyLaika

I wish these tires came in 32's. I got mine in 700x25. No flats ever. Just looking for the recommended pressure. I inflated em to 125psi and they are not especially comfortable riding. I think I might go down to 100.

Anyways, what's relevant about your friend liking these tires and your friend being a "hipster"? I don't get it.