Specialized Armadillos: do they fall apart for you, too?
#1
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Specialized Armadillos: do they fall apart for you, too?
Totally unrelated to the fact that I've been looking at Schwalbe tires--my Armadillos have been falling apart from the first time I mounted them. It's not that the tread is coming off, but rather the rubber at the very inside of the tire, past the wire bead. It's right at the edge; get a tire iron on it and it just comes off in strips. If you're not lucky or careful you'll get bits left in your tire along with the tube, hastening a flat.
Anyone else have this problem with this or other tires?
Anyone else have this problem with this or other tires?
#2
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Not I. Only one Armadillo (bought in West Yellowstone on tour two years ago), but it's still going strong. Of course that's the rain bike at home, so it only has 4,000 miles or so on it.
#3
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I've had this happen with multiple different types of tires - the tire iron scrapes off the excess rubber on the inside of the bead.
It hasn't caused me any problems thus far - and with the armadillos I have to take the tires off so infrequently I've never really even thought about it.
It hasn't caused me any problems thus far - and with the armadillos I have to take the tires off so infrequently I've never really even thought about it.
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Totally unrelated to the fact that I've been looking at Schwalbe tires--my Armadillos have been falling apart from the first time I mounted them. It's not that the tread is coming off, but rather the rubber at the very inside of the tire, past the wire bead. It's right at the edge; get a tire iron on it and it just comes off in strips. If you're not lucky or careful you'll get bits left in your tire along with the tube, hastening a flat.
Anyone else have this problem with this or other tires?
Anyone else have this problem with this or other tires?
#5
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I have this problem right now and my tire actually had a tear in it where the tube pushed through. Last night this happened and i tried to fix it by putting a piece of old tube over the tear and then putting the new tube in but after ten feet the tube pushed through again. I was wondering if this problem happens more with the tires that you buy that are folded up in the box v. the ones that are rigid and not folded up. What is the difference between these? Is it just the widths, where the tires under 28cc are sold folded up and the bigger ones are rigid?
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I have this problem right now and my tire actually had a tear in it where the tube pushed through. Last night this happened and i tried to fix it by putting a piece of old tube over the tear and then putting the new tube in but after ten feet the tube pushed through again. I was wondering if this problem happens more with the tires that you buy that are folded up in the box v. the ones that are rigid and not folded up. What is the difference between these? Is it just the widths, where the tires under 28cc are sold folded up and the bigger ones are rigid?
#8
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I was wondering if this problem happens more with the tires that you buy that are folded up in the box v. the ones that are rigid and not folded up. What is the difference between these? Is it just the widths, where the tires under 28cc are sold folded up and the bigger ones are rigid?
I frequently have a little bit of rubber come off near the bead, but it's never caused any problem. The only Armadillo tires I had were never removed from the rim until the tread wore down to expose the tire cords. I kept hoping they'd wear out sooner since they had a rather harsh ride and high rolling resistance, but they never got a flat and had good durability.
#9
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Thanks, I just did a little research on my own and found this out. I guess my tire was just bad or something, the tread is fine(still new looking) but the area right past the bead is trashed. It looks like it's going to separate at a few more spots than the one that's already ripped so I guess I gotta get a new tire today. Kinda pissed, I figured the Armadillo Roubaix Elite that I got would last a little longer than 5 months.
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I never had this problem, in fact, I'm happy...
16K miles on the rear tire, 6K on the front tire, no flats and the tread wear is much less than other knobby tires (I haven't tried Schwalbe).
I'm using the 26" x 1.95", not sure of the bead type, don't think it's a foldable type.
16K miles on the rear tire, 6K on the front tire, no flats and the tread wear is much less than other knobby tires (I haven't tried Schwalbe).
I'm using the 26" x 1.95", not sure of the bead type, don't think it's a foldable type.
#11
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same here. I just noticed it last week. I've got about 4k miles on it, a nimbus, and the tread is still good but the rubber is separating from the tire. dissapointing. I liked that tire and I'll probably buy another. but if it keeps happening then I may go with another brand.
Last edited by scoatw; 11-20-11 at 01:33 PM.
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When you inspect the inside of the tire, can you see loose bits of rubber? If you peel them off, is there more rubber underneath? Generally loose bits of rubber isn't a huge issue (except of course if this is causing tube abrasion/flats). If the carcass/fabric of the tire is intact, with no loose thread strands the tire should still be ok. If the carcass is also coming apart, you've got potential problems.
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Kicking up an old thread. I wanted to show a picture of what's happening. Maybe someone from Specialized will see it and correct the problem.
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My rear Armadillo is falling apart
I'm definitely disappointed seeing as how I'd heard such positive things about these tires. They've been solid as far as eliminating flats from glass, etc. but the outer layer of the tire is peeling off and I think I've had these tires maybe 3-4 months. I would say I do about 140-200 miles a week. I switched to these after getting flats on the regular with those thin Continentals and the guy at the shop recommended them over Gatorskins, so I figured it was a good move. I really don't feel like dropping another $45 on these tires after my experience and hearing these stories as well.
Any recommended alternatives would be appreciated. Anyone have any with Fxyation tires?
Any recommended alternatives would be appreciated. Anyone have any with Fxyation tires?
#16
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Damn! This is really disconcerting, to me!
I was just getting ready to purchase a couple of Armadillos. I even recommended them to other people, based upon all of the previous positive reviews I've read.
Now, I feel like a heel for ever having recommended something that I really didn't know about! This is just awful!
I was just getting ready to purchase a couple of Armadillos. I even recommended them to other people, based upon all of the previous positive reviews I've read.
Now, I feel like a heel for ever having recommended something that I really didn't know about! This is just awful!
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I probably shouldn't be writing this about another mfg. tires, but don't get down on a tire brand because you've had an issue. Contact them, and let them take care of it.
In my opinion, Schwalbe makes some of the best bicycle tires available, but we still have problems with a tire every now and then. If it's truly a bad tire (not just worn out or damaged due to riding) we replace it. So, as Sirrus Rider suggested, go to the Specialized website and at least give them a chance to take care of you. If they do, you won't be out money for a replacement tire. If they don't, you'll act accordingly in the future.
In my opinion, Schwalbe makes some of the best bicycle tires available, but we still have problems with a tire every now and then. If it's truly a bad tire (not just worn out or damaged due to riding) we replace it. So, as Sirrus Rider suggested, go to the Specialized website and at least give them a chance to take care of you. If they do, you won't be out money for a replacement tire. If they don't, you'll act accordingly in the future.
#19
I tried to convince a co-worker (different shop) not to buy them, but he did for his trip to South America. His tire started to peel before getting out of the US. He took my advice and bought a Marathon as a replacement.
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Other than their weight and the harsh ride, haven't had any issues with Armadillos. I have 700 x 28 Armadillo Infinitys on my Tricross Comp and have not had any problems with either the rubber on the bead flaking, or the tread separating from the cord. I only got about 2000 miles on my last rear tire, but I probably replaced it before it was really bad.
#21
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I've had good luck with Bontrager tires lately. Then again, the only one I have some mileage on is the 23c Hardcase tires. I have about 1000 on those so far. I got cheap Bontrager H2's on the commuter. I am also running a set of Stop Flast 2 tire liners. So far no issues. Then again, I only have about 50 miles on the setup so far, but I started over with the new computer, so I'll say 37 miles.
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I have an Armadillo 630-32 on the rear of the World Tourist. The Armadillo is a heavy beast. One puncture (piece of steel wire, probably from a car or truck tire steel belt) in 5K miles with a 300+lbs rider in an urban environment.
Because of their construction, Armadillos do NOT tolerate under inflation. The sidewall on mine say a MIN and a MAX pressure. Keep them in that range, and no issues. Below the MIN, and problems will result.
Because of their construction, Armadillos do NOT tolerate under inflation. The sidewall on mine say a MIN and a MAX pressure. Keep them in that range, and no issues. Below the MIN, and problems will result.