vmhatup

I have a BH road bike that I use for work. The roads and the sidewalks here are extremely rough and uneven, so I need tough tires (if that's how you call it).

My current tires (Specialized All Condition Armadillo) are already worn out. I have to buy a new set of tires.

My question: are there tougher tires than the Specialized All Condition Armadillo?

Which do you recommend? Weight doesn't matter. All that matters is that they hold up well to the crappy sidewalks and streets we have here.

Thanks.

gringomojado

How long is "already" time and miles?
Where is "here"?

gm

blakcloud

You owned one of the toughest tire out there and if you weren't happy with those, then maybe try Schwalbe Marathon Plus. If you really don't want flats but also don't want comfort go for the Tannus puncture proof tires.

alcjphil

How far have you ridden these tires and how far do you expect bicycle tires to go? All tires wear out, the more you ride the sooner you need new ones

SkinGriz

Am I understanding this correctly?

You’re commuting on this. The roads are crap where you are. And you’re replacing a tiny “no-sidewall” tire with another tiny tire?

I’d get more tire. This isn’t just for bikes, I think the same thing about lo-profile tires on cars.

I was wrong. Can get in 32, at first all I saw was biggest 25.

mstateglfr 

https://tannusamerica.com/pages/tannus-airless-tires

Can't puncture.

Random11

I'd be interested in a review on these from anyone who's used them. How do they ride?

mstateglfr 

A buddy I ride with swears by them. He has 25mm tires on his main road bike.
He promises they are as fast as his old pneumatic tires. He is either very mistaken or used the slowest road tires ever made.

But his current tires haven't flatted, so he has that going for him.

CliffordK

Here is a thread from a couple of years ago. And, I included a couple of first person reviews.

https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...olid-tire.html (misspelled title, but it makes it easier to find).

I have a set of the narrow 23/25mm tires on one bike.

I thought the tires were a bit slower than other tires, and I got a bit more handlebar vibration than other tires. But, overall I did quite well without flatting.

At that time I had considered a traction issue, and had issues on wet pavement (which is most of the winter around here).

Most of my tires I ride are 25mm wide or less. And, the Schwalbe Marathon is a heavy tire for 25mm, but has some of the best traction in that class.

The Protek Cross Max (32mm or 35mm) is one tire that I never flatted (I had a bad hole in the Marathon on day 1 or day 2, which ultimately caused me problems for the life of the tire). And, I thought the Cross Max had some of the best traction of any tire I've ridden even in slushy snow.

canklecat

Try Michelin Protek tires. For 5-6 years I've ridden Michelin Protek Cross Max 700x40 on my errand bike, never a single puncture flat. I've used pliers to pull out staples, brads, glass, radial tire wire, etc., from the tread, but it never reached the tube. Even when the tread was slashed down to the yellow Aramid fiber shield it didn't puncture.

And the Michelin Proteks ride better than my comparable Continental tires, including the Contact Speed 2. Conti and Schwalbe tend to use thicker rubber shields under the main tread, which to me has a harsher ride than the woven fabric Aramid (comparable to Kevlar) shields in Michelin tires.

If I'm recalling correctly the Michelin Protek tires use the following terms to denote the level of protection:

• Regular Protek tires have a 1mm thick Aramid puncture shield.
• Protek Max indicates a 5mm puncture shield, their thickest.
• All Protek tires use chevron tread patterns. The "Cross" term denotes their thickest, heaviest chevron pattern tread, and is suitable for all terrain rides. Mine will handle off road pretty well but not thick muddy conditions.

The Protek Cross Max are heavy but ride better than expected for such a heavy, thick tire.

I'm not sure about the current Michelin lineup but a couple of years ago some of their tires intended for road bikes and sporty urban bikes with 700x28 or so tires included the 1mm Aramid puncture shield. Tire makers change product lineups and terminology so check the website for current info.

shelbyfv

Gatorskins are robust. Use the largest size that will fit your bike, whatever you choose.

Garfield Cat

If its a high end BH road bike, then its not intended for commute under those conditions. Save a good bike for your longer and more challenging racing days.

Get another bike that can handle wider tires that require less PSI. This will make your ride more comfortable and less resistant to punctures. This might justify getting a gravel bike.

Perhaps, if that BH allows for a different wheelset with wider rims for wider tires, and wider brake calipers, then get that instead of another bike.

Pop N Wood

Specialized was one of the first companies making tires with Kevlar belts. The Armadillo's have a reputation for being really tough.

have to wonder just how much more one really needs. Marathon Plus tires are extremely puncture resistant, but IMO over the top so. They noticeably impact the ride of the bike. The trick is finding the right balance between ride/weight and protection.

I love gatorskins on road bikes. I've had one flat in all the years I've ridden them and that was a pinch flat caused by me not topping off the pressure when I knew it needed some air.

Flip Flop Rider

could use tire liners too

scott967

Don't have a suggestion. I rode 23 Armadillos for may years and they were pretty good, but was interested in better performance. Tried the Conti Grand Prix wasn't happy, and the GP4000 everyone raves about--they didn't last. I found the Michelin Pro4 Endurance a good tire, but they don't exist any more. Don't know about Gatorskins or Schwalbe which seem to be the alternatives.

I actually switched to tubs (with sealant) (Veloflex Arenberg 25s) but I don't think that's an option with really poor roads.

scott s.
.

Steve B.

Ive used various sizes of Conti Grand Prix 4 Seasons. They are durable, OK at flat resistance and roll OK. When i choose a durable and flat resistant tire I don't care if they "roll" as nice as GP 5000's. Ive seen 2000 commuting miles on these tires.

ClydeClydeson

In my experience, no.

Other tires known for toughness are mentioned above, all are good tires. But Armadillo tires are tough like hard plastic. You said yours wore out, but after how many miles? I had Armadillo tires and I was flat free for the longest time, until I rode over a piece of glass or a razor blade or something and got a long gash in the rear tire. The tires didn't owe me anything at that point.

Daily commuting is actually extremely taxing and high mileage, even if it doesn't feel like it. Compared to people who do weekend tours and a few 100km rides per year, daily commuters are the true hardasses of the road.

The Chemist

I switched from Armadillos to Schwalbe Marathons this year after my Armadillos wore out. So far just as puncture resistant as the Armadillos, but faster and better riding IMO. Easier to mount, too - the Armadillos were by far the hardest to mount tire that I've ever used.

Pinelander

Riding Gatorskins -recently 28mm -for 20 years and can count the number of flat I've had on one hand.