Corsaire

I just went for a test ride (12 miles) to my work place, just testing my new
700x25C Vittoria Courier TT25 Kevlar 3D Compound tires. Never made it, I had to turn back after 3.5 miles when going dowm hill at "warp" speed - got a flat on the rear one, it was enough that the rear tire hit a small elevated road crack to
go down flat. These tires proved not suitable at all for commuting, especially here in Northern Jersey where there are lot of rough road imperfections on the side of the roads. Thank goodness I didn't use them on weekdays (real commuting time).

What tires are GOOD (in the 700x25C and/or 700x28C size) for commuting??? Enough to take the roughness and imperfection on most roads?
What's your experience folks? Although I'd prefer in the 700x25C size???
Corsaire

Kev

From your description sounds like you got a pinch flat, which can be caused by not having enough air in the tire. Common consensus for the most flat proof is normaly the specialized armadillo tires, but it will protect you from thorns.. glass etc in the road..

Corsaire

Before going out I inflated my tires to 100PSI with my
new JoeBlow, the recommended pressure. The tires were tightly inflated.
The rubber on this tires are buttery soft, that was did it.
How about the Continental Ultragator Skin?
which I hear so much about
Corsaire

cyclezealot

I insist on Kevlar lined tires. Particularily on commuter bikes where I hope I can demand reliability.
My touring bike takes 35mm. I can find only Performance brand Touring tires that are Kevlar lined..I think they are pretty good tires. Anyone use 35 mm. Kevlar lined touring tires...Any recommendations.

Rich Clark

There are lots. The aforementioned Specialized Armadillo tires are all Kevlar belted. The Panaracer Pasela TG. The Continental Top Touring 2000 (which is my personal favorite). Note that Aramid and Kevlar are the same thing.

RichC

cyclezealot

Rich.. Again are all those tires you mentioned in 35 mm? Not sure a rim for a 35 mm. tire will accomodate a smaller sized tire?

Rich Clark

I would look at Specialized's Armadillo line as well. Their new "All-Condition Armadillo" looks like it's as close to a commuter tire as you're likely to get onto a racing frame. Available at Specialized dealers or at www.specialized.com. The website seems to be out of stock at the moment.

You might also want to look into the Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy or Roll-y Pol-y tires, which are very highly regarded. https://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/parts.html

My own commuters run wider tires -- 700x32 -- and so my personal experience probably isn't directly transferable to your situation.

However, I agree with the assessment that you had what sounds like a pinch flat. You can prevent them only by increasing tire pressure or going to a bigger tire, if one will clear your brakes and frame.

RichC

Rich Clark

The Conti is, I believe. And yes, any rim that can take a 35 will take a 32 or a 37. 35 is a sort of unusual size.

RichC

antonius

I purchased my new commuter road bike at the beginning of April this year. Continental Top Touring 2000 tires 700 x 28c were spec'd and were installed. To date I have put on 4,200 kms on these tires. And have had no problem except for the one flat which was in June after two and a half months of riding. I cycle over sections of rough roads to and from work plus I've gone over broken glass, run over small stones and branches, etc. My commute is 22km one way.

It is very important for me not to have any downtime on my commute, especially to work. So having good tires is very important. Since I started cycle commuting in June 2001, I have had numerous flats on the two types of bikes I used before my current model - one was a MTB converted to commuting with slimmer tires and the other was a twenty year old road bike. I normally spent no more than $ 15 CDN per tire. I experienced on average 3 to 5 flats per month. I don't know what the TT 2000's cost (they came with the bike and I didn't get a cost breakdown of each component) but they are worth the price.

I highly recommend the Continental TT 2000's and I will replace only with the same.

RonH

I have Continental Grand Prix 3000 on my road bike. Average mileage between flats ~2000 miles.
I have Vittoria Rubino Intrepid PRB Kevlar 3D Compound on my commuter. Haven't had a flat yet.
700x25 size available in both tires.

Corsaire

I checked the 04 All Conditions Armadillo 700x25C, looks strong and good.
The Nimbus Armadillo looks strong also, but only 28C
How about performance on these tires?
has anybody notice improved performance as well?
besides the flat protection feature?
Corsaire

late

Hi,
take a look at the Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy.
It is very rugged without weighing a ton.
https://rivendellbicycles.com/webalog...bes/10043.html

You know, if it WAS a pinch flat, you could have had a defective tube.

Dchiefransom

I've got 2002 Specialized Armadillos on my commuter. It's a mid-90s heavy steel road bike, and the heavy tires roll VERY smoothly when I'm going. The older Armadillos had a bad shoulder corner that impeded fast cornering, but the 2004 tires have a redesigned tread/shoulder that's much better. If the Specialized Rep ever will give my LBS 700X23s, I'll have a new set. The rated pressure for the Armadillos is 125, and I keep them there. The ride is supposed to be rougher, but with my heavy frame I don't notice it.
I use the Continental Gatorskins on my Lemond Zurich. They have a Kevlar belt, and roll very nicely.

Corsaire

It WAS a pinched flat caused by a strong blow/impact of the rear tire by going down hill at high speed. The rear tire hit strongly a little part of raised pavement. (roughed out road side) The Vittoria tire is ok, but the tube pretty much blew inside. It's not the first time I ride this road, it's my commuting route.
I had switched from Specialized Nimbus EX, these tires took very well all this road imperfections. But I changed to Vittoria just to gain for speed and lightness, only to realized I had sacrificed strenght and durability.
That's why I'm looking for a strong, dependable, highly puncture resistance tire, enought to take a blow over an imperfect road.
The All Condition Armadillo looks like the ticket so far @ 700x25C, hopefully it can take it.
Corsaire

Rich Clark

Just keep in mind that the change to a smaller tire may have more to do with the flat than anything else. Armadillos are very puncture resistant, but not really any more pinch-flat resistant than any other tire the same size on the same rim.

RichC

cat

After having 4 flats in 200 miles along my route, I put on Performance Forte Kevlars in 700x23 size about 800 miles ago. I've had one flat since then. They run about $22.

foehn

My husband puts 100-150 miles a week in commuting and loves those Continental Ultrgator Skins.

Ed Holland

I have just invested in a set of Continental Gator/Dura skin tires to compare against the Hutchinson Excel Kevlar types that have been a mainstay for a while. I run 700x23. The Hutch's have good puncture resistance but are prone to failure of the fabric at the sidewall, close to the bead, always on the rear tire.

The Conti's seem to ride better, although I managed to flat them first day out. I think this was exceptional bad luck though - I pulled out a 3/4 in thorn from the very edge of the tread that was like a hypodermic needle.
I hope they will last better than the Hutchinsons - I like them very much so far.

Cheers,

Ed

late

Hi,
the Gatorskins look really tough. I bought a pair, went for one ride, and had my dealer swap them out for something else. They rode like a truck. The problem is the belt goes up the sidewall, so it doesn't absorb as much shock as a regular tire would. I think the Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy would make a good tire for commuting. My wife has been having good luck with her 25c Fortezzas , and the ride quality is excellent. I don't run them at high pressure. I put in just a few more pounds
than is neccesary to let the tire roll on the flat without the sides bulging. This gives a very nice ride qulaity; with the Fortezza it's especially nice.

chewa

I've got about 4000 miles on my Conti TT2000's (700x28)

Only one puncture and that was a huge thorn.

Corsaire

Does anybody know HOW the Armadillos ride?
Does it roll easily, smooth or is it rough??
Corsaire

Dchiefransom

I have 700X23 2003 Armadillos. They have a stiff sidewall. I keep them at the max, 125 psi. They roll very, very smoothly, but transmit a little more vibration than other tires I've used. That's on an older steel bike that weieghs about 25 pounds.

Corsaire

I guess it's a trade off, a mix of smoothness with some road vibration....hey! it's not a perfect world I guess...

I hear people raving about these RUFFY TUFFY tires , what gives I wonder....?
Corsaire

Corsaire

Got it! made a decision:
I'm getting the All Condition Armadillo 700x25C for the rear tire and the Ultra Gatorskin for the front, also @ 700x25C. I hope this combo will give me the best of both world, given that all my experience with flats/pinch or puncture have always been on the REAR tire.
What about it?
Corsaire

Rich Clark

Interesting decision.

I while ago I replaced my TT2K's (the rear was worn out) with Pasela TG's. The TG is a much lighter, thin-sidewall, kevlar-belted and -beaded foldable tire.

I immediately started getting rear flats. So I put the old front TT2K on the rear, and left a TG on the front. This combo is working quite well, and the lighter front tire is a noticeable improvement.

Good luck with your plan!

RichC