Tjnowak

Have a mountain bike that I ride all over downtown Milwaukee, glass, metal, sharp debris everywhere. I'm trying to find what is best for me. I've heard a lot of talk between Kevlar vs Armadillo. I'm looking to get the best protection, money not being an issue, if it prevents flats I'll pay for it, as I don't carry spares. I basically just want to prevent flats. Smoother ride would also be nice as it's all rough city driving. Can someone recommend a good tire for me? Also, do tubes make a difference, and if so what's best? I was honestly leaning towards Kevlar strictly because well it stops bullets... Also there seem to be a few variety of Kevlar, so what's best again? Finally any additional protection I can get besides tire/tube? Thanks!

pablosnazzy

put stan's in your tubes, about $5 a tube, it will seal any puncture and you keep on rolling.

3speed

A kevlar flak jacket will stop a projectile but you can cut through it with a shape knife. Honestly. Not saying it doesn't help in bike tires. Just saying, about the bullet thing...

commo_soulja

The kevlar in a tire is usually just used in the construction of the bead to make it lighter and flexible than a wire bead. The big S Armadillo tires paired up with some Slime tubes would best suit you.

NCMTBIKER

What about those slime tubes do they work??

Tjnowak

also its pretty much strictly asphalt riding, with some sharp rocky terrain in there.
also have to come in 26 x 2.1

Tjnowak

for that matter, if i can't find a tire in 2.1 will a 2.0 or 2.2 work?..

Shimagnolo

In my experience, Slime never *stopped* a leak, but it slowed the leaks so I could make a mad dash home, (if I wasn't too far away), before changing the tube.
I used them when commuting for a few years.
I don't bother with it anymore.

Max C.

What bike is it? Basically you can use as wide a tire as you'd like so long as your rim width and frame/form width allow it. Rim width isn't an issue in your case (more a problem with thin road type wheels and wide off road tires) but you may run into a problem where 2.4 or 2.5" wide tires don't fit. The simple/short answer is that yes, 2.0 & 2.2 should be fine.

Wider generally means more stability when all else is held equal. I like the handling characteristics of wider tires as well... but again handling also depends on the type of tread, the surface, air pressure, tread compound, etc.

NYCJohn170

I've run both Kevlar and Armadillos here on the glass covered streets of NYC.

Armadillo clearly superior.

Dilberto

Cheap Way = Stans NoTubes Sealant

Expensive Way = Specialized Armadillos

Vicelord

Go tubeless and never worry about a flat again.

Tjnowak

Thanks guys appreciate all the help! Where do I find the 'big s armadillos?' Did a quick online search and didn't see anything that matched exactly, that have a more specific name?

3speed

I thought tubeless stopped pinch-flats on rocky terrain since there's no tube to pinch. How do they help with glass, etc?

Vicelord

Ugh. Another ignorant soul.

The local lbs has a tubeless with stans. They let people stab it with a knife. Its been stabbed 100+ times. Still holds air. I run over cactus on purpose just to show friends whats up.

3speed

Seems a bit harsh. I'm a newbie who doesn't know much about them so I asked. Thanks for the info, though.

Tjnowak

okay, okay, so last question (for now), i promise. I ordered two different tires just to see how each of them performs and which I like better. here are the two: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...ItemId=0&eid=0 and https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...ItemId=0&eid=0
My question is which should I put on front/back? The purgatory is 26x2.2 and the captain elite is 26x2.2. Thanks again!

mtbmxstreet

i suggest you to using holyreoller by maxxis, this tyre perfect for dirtjumping and street riding

jediphobic

If they are the same size, it doesn't matter. General rule of thumb is that the smaller one goes on the back.

cryptid01

This coming from the genius who stated that "it would take a lot of effort to actually take the hand off the brake."

Too funny!

Vicelord

I don't think it is harsh. I didn't call you stupid. Ignorance is curable. Stupidity is not.

dminor 

It would seem to me that people who bandy about terms like "local lbs" should not cast aspersions on anyone's lack of informedness or metal capacity.

Vicelord

local lbs instead of unlocal lbs.... hahah ok you got me.