Lots of Armadillo fans. But I don't know if the reference is to the Elite or All Condition version. From the specs, these look like entirely different tires. Does Elite have the same robust flat protection for which the All Condition is famed, and does it have the stiff, low-traction ride for which it is notorious?

All Condition Armadillo Elite Tire



All Condition Armadillo Tire

I have been using one of the newer Rando tire models. Very nice tire.

I have been using Continental Gatorskins (700X23) and am in love. The ride is smooth and I have yet to get a single flat with about 800 miles on them now.

yessir. i've worn ruts in the asphalt with my gatorskins.

I don't have significant issues with road debris, so I'm running just standard Marathons. I got them for $24 each and have about 5800 miles on them. The front still looks almost new, the rear looks like it's about half-worn. I think I've only had one flat with them so far (about 1.5 years on the bike).

Assuming things work as I expect, after about 2 years I'll put the front on the back and buy another one for the front. Normally rotating doesn't make much sense, but the way they're wearing I think I might have the same tire on the front for 10 years, and at that age I'd be worried about rot. I figure better to move it to the back and wear it out, rather than wearing out a new one.

At this rate I'm paying about $12/year for tires.

Vittoria Randonneur Hypers. Lively ride, good puncture resistance, and they wear well. The reflective sidewalls really do work, too.

Obviously I don't know about anybody else's experience, but the plain Specialized Armadillo All Condition looks more like mine (red sidewall). Over 3,000 miles, no flats; reasonably easy to get off and on (I re-trued the wheel earlier this month). The feel isn't terribly sporty, but I'll take fewer stops on the commute to make up for it.

I think the only tire I've had that came close was the Continental Contact, but with over 4,000 miles, I lost patience when I tore the tube trying to get the blasted tire off the rim. Still plenty of tread left at that point, but another millimeter or two on the diameter would have made the fit much less maddening.

Panaracer Paselas feel much better than either of the above, but also wear out and flat much quicker, IME.

I loved Vittoria Randonneurs until a wire in the sidewall broke out on tour and flatted me four times before I found it. I didn't even know the tire was built with wires in the sidewall! I won't look at another one after that.

I agree about the fit of Conti Contact tires. I am using them right now on my 26" commuter, and they have a great ride on the rough parts of my commute. They have great grip, and no flats. They are quite difficult, however, to get on/off the rim.

How does your ride with the Armadillo compare with the Continental Contact?

Conti Gatorskins. Although they are listed on the Conti website under "Race Tyres" rather than city/commuting tires, they are tough as nails, and smooth, too.

Actually, you cannot go wrong with any Continental tire, IMO. I swear by them on my mountain bike.

Thank you, I am looking for tires for my SS, something thicker than my 23s as Tahoe Roads are pot holed and dirt ridden.

I'm a huge Armadillo fan. I've ridden 700 x 23 versions of the regular (all condition armadillo) and the Elite (lighter version). The Elite spins up faster because it is lighter. Ride quality is a bit better though still somewhat harsh in comparison to other tires like say Vittoria Rubino Pros. I never had a flat with the Elites (though I have not ridden as many miles on them. 250 miles vs the regular ones). They use to have a 700 x 26 version of the regular all condition. I use to ride those on my hybrid and then road/hybrid conversion. I have 700 x 28 All Condition(not elites) on my commuter/grocery getter bike. I had maybe 2 flats with the Armadillo all condition (regular) but all were pinch flats due to user error (bad installation of tubes). Keep in mind this is about 10 years of riding Armadillos model tires. If specialized stop making these tires, I may have to stop cycling all together as I detest flats when I am out riding. (Ok that's an exaggeration. but I LOVE armadillos) Not the best ride quality but man are they tough.

I notice the sidewalls get dry after about 4-5 years. I had to replace one of them because the sidewalls had a budge in it due to the dryness which lead to cracking. Anyone know what to do about this dryness? Anything I can do to slow this process down? I store them in a cool dark place and this still happens.

Yeah, if you want great flat protection, consider Armadillos. If you value ride quality and don't mind an occasional tube change and don't mind carrying a pump, co2 cartridges, tubes and/or a patch kit, get another tire.

The roads I've been riding lately has been pretty clean so I've been riding other non-armadillo tires like Vittoria Rubino Pros on my training bike. Experimenting with different tires can be fun. Ride quality can be noticeably different which affects the whole feel of a bike.