Tires: Bontrager Hard Case Vs. Specialized Armadillo
 

Hello -

I currently have Hard Case Race Lite tires on my city bike (700x32) and have not had a flat in 4,000kms. - can I expect similar flat proofness on my road bike with these tires at 700x23?

How about the specialized Armadillo - are these comparable? (the Roubaix Armadillo Elite)

Thanks and please excuse the noobness of the inquiry.

I would not recommend Armadillos as from what I have heard around here on BF that while they are very durable, their ride quality is very harsh. I would recommend going with Continental GatorSkins as a better alternative.

I'm running bontrager x lite hardcase tires right now in 700x23. They aren't flat proof but a puncture is a rare event (I had a couple of flats while riding to work for a few months).

I agree with acaurora and would skip the Armadillos; the ride quality is horrible.

I have the 23 version of the Race Lite HC on my CAAD9 and no flats in just under 1000 miles on them and the 28's I had on my Trek had almost 2800 miles with only 1 flat until I had to replace them. Only tire I ride now.

Gatorskins ride is twice as good but they'll flat twice as often. Of course 2x0 = 0...

I know some lite guys that have complained about too many flats with the Armadillo elites. I'm a heavier ride and flatted far to many times on Gatorskins.

I did use an Armadillo throughout the entire year of 09, NOT ONE FLAT! :thumb:...That includes city roads, streets, mtn roads, climbs and trail rides. Toughest tire I've ever used but did seem a bit heavy (700X25).

I have the Armadillo Roubaix Elites and rode 5000 miles on them since June 15. I've had two flats (one was one of those survey markers that look like a giant thumbtack and one was a wire from a radial tire piece). The rear tire wore out at 3500 miles and the front one is still on the bike.

I replaced the rear tire because there were cuts from the survey marker and some cuts from glass, etc. The actual tire tread would probably have lasted more miles but I didn't want to chance a tire split when I can afford to buy another tire.

I can't really tell you if they ride any harsher than other tires as they are the only ones I've had on this bike (09 Specialized Roubaix Elite). I don't want fix a flat when it's 100+ degrees so I stick with this tire.

P.S. I think these tires are really 25's. They say 23/25 because they have the width of 25mm but the tire is tapered and the contact patch is supposed to be the same as a 23.

Armadillo for flat free riding...if you need to get somewhere...and back.