This is for my Tassajara I use for commuting.
I'm looking at the Specialized Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5 and the Specialized Hemisphere Armadillo 26x1.95.
I'm wondering which would be better for commuting on streets. I did have some trail in my commute but i don't anymore unless i need to hop a curb or something. I'm choosing between these two for their armadillo protection.
Basically one is narrower than the other and the tread pattern is slightly different (which i hear doesn't matter anyway).

Also, I already have one new Hemisphere that I will be pairing with which ever tire I decide on here. So if I end up with both of these tires, which should go on the front and which on the rear?

I'm a huge fan of the Nimbus. i've been running a pair on my commuter for the last four years and had nary an issue. As far as which to run up front..... I've always run a pair of similar tires on my bikes so I couldn't tell you if the run the big one up front rule from trail riding would apply here. I did however notice a huge difference when I switched to the narrower Nimbus from my old 26.195 Crossroads.

Normally I would, but I'm returning a defective tire to Specialized under warranty for replacement. Going to ask they they replace it with one of these two. Thanks.

Raiyn, thanks. My current set was a pair of Crossroads (returning one of them). This week I'm riding with the crossroads on the rear and the Hemisphere on the front. I'm kinda wondering if there is any rolling difference between the two? Crossroads has that continuous center tread and I have it pumped to about 45psi which seems pretty stiff. But it still has the knobbys so not sure if they make much contact with the road or not.

I HATED my Crossroads in rain. I found that the ceter section slipped way too easily. In fact I made the switch to the Nimbus tires after I nearly layed the bike down in the middle of a busy intersection. The one I have left is collecting dust for now.

I think I'd be switching tires pretty quickly too... I like to feel safe when I ride in the rain, thank you

the skinnier tire will no doubt be the faster one (with tire pressure being equal).

but i think the true benefit of the skinnier tire is the ability to pump it up to a higher PSI which will really make you faster.

especially if your just riding pavement i say go for the skinniest tires you can find with some decently thick sidewalls and puncture protection.

i ride a commute mixing road with cinder path trails on WAY skinnier tires pumped up to 100 psi on my crossbike.

higher PSI makes you FASTER!!!

as for front and back on my mtb's i always run a bigger tire in front with lower PSI than my back tire because i need more traction for cornering. i'd say for commuting it shouldn't really matter to much one way or the other. but i like the look and feel more secure with my bigger tread in front.

Have you considered the Specialized Infinity Armadillo? They have a nearly continuous strip of tread right down the middle which minimizes rolling resistance and noise (practically zero) while still offering some tread and extra grip on turns. Max PSI is 100-110. I am running 700c 32 and 35. I assume they are available in 26.

For those of you that may not have heard, a few months ago Specialized announced a no questions asked return policy. Even my LBS guy said basically you could come in every 6 months or so and get new tires. Seems like they would figure out a way to keep that from happening, but he was trying to illustrate his understanding of how liberal the policy is.
FWIW,
Raymond

From what i can tell the Infinity only comes in 700c???
I've got 26".

Looks like I'll ask them to replace my crossroads with the Nimbus.

I've been running 26x1.5 Nimbuses on my Fisher Wahoo since August, and I haven't had a flat yet (averaging 75-100 km/week). I keep them pumped up to 80-85 PSI and they roll very smoothly. Even though I'm on an MTB, it's easy to maintain a 30-35 kmph speed on the flats without really pushing things.

I commute through downtown Toronto, and I've gone through a lot of glass that would've punctured my previous tires (City Wolfs?). They're stable in the rain, but not so nice on hard-packed snow and ice (like yesterday, when I rode half the way to work out of the clips). And now that the redwall is grimy, they're not so flashy, either! Well worth the $45 CDN.

Jason

If you are going to buy just one tire to go with your Hemisphere, I would get another Hemisphere. The matched pair will look better than mismatched sine the width differences between the two are really noticeable. If you do go mixed, then put the Nimbus up front. If you buy a set, then get the Nimbus.

I've used both tires and either one is a good choice. I've even ridden the Nimbus on some dirt roads without trouble, but was not very confident with them off road.

why would you put the smaller one in front if you don't mind me asking??? i'd figure bigger up front would be better for increased steering traction...

I use the Crossroads in winter and the Armadillos in summer.

That is on rural + city roads - also cycle paths with glass and other nasty stuff.

I ride them at 60psi. If I remember correctly the tyres read 35-80psi.

"Armadillo", like Flak Jacket, is their flat protection technology which is used in several of their tires. Including the Crossroads, Nimbus and Hemisphere.

I find my rear tire more likely to slide in turns than the front so I would prefer more traction there. There's also more weight on the rear tire so a larger one at a lower pressure will give a smoother ride.

I disagree with your logic.
You can almost always save a rear tire slide but if your front slips you're ed

Hmm where to start with this load of myth, read sheldon plz k thx. GG.

could ya start a little please??? i have read sheldon and haven't the foggiest as to what your talkin bout! educate me! thats why i am here.

He who uses AOl'ese to make a point loses the meaning in the foolishness of the presentation.

I've had both.
I've used the hemisphere ex's (with flakjacket, not armadillo) for about 3500 miles before I switched over to the thinner nimbus armadillo's for about 500 miles so far.
Moral of the story is, the armadillo's SLIGHTLY tougher only but the weight and rolling resistance penalties are huge. The nimbus armadillo @ 90psi rolls like a flakjacket hemisphere at 70 psi. Plus the hemisphere was a lot plushier a ride. Up to about 20mph, I didn't notice a difference in speed (mind you I mash a lot and there's a lot of stop and go traffic where I bike). Plus they handled the rough pavement a lot better. My tires were true as all hell for all 3500 miles. Two weeks after I switched over to the nimbus @ 90psi and tried to ride it like the hemispheres, my tires started going a little out of true.
I agree with supcom, while you're more likely to get f**ked in a front tire slide, I experience rear tire slides a lot more OFTEN.

While that may be true, at least a rear tire slide is controllable.

I have the Specialized Armadillo Hemisphere's and I am very happy with them. They are a good compromise between knobbies and slicks, and their flat protection technology has seen me thru about 1200 miles without any problems . The biggest thing that suprised me about them was the weight - they literally weigh three times as much as my last tires. That said I am very happy with them and I would certainly buy them again.

Ok, I removed the Crossroads tire from the rear and replaced it with the 1.5" Nimbus Armadillo and pumped it to about 80psi.
I took at least 5 minutes off my 50-55min commute this morning!
I was rolling comfortably at 18mph when i normally woulda been doing 15mph.

Replace the front and you'll hit 19-20