Anyone riding Specialized Armadillo's?
#1
Motorvated
Thread Starter
Anyone riding Specialized Armadillo's?
I am looking at the All Condition Armadillo Tire for a 700c X 25c fit. Anybody have ridden these tires? Love to hear about it.
#7
Have bike, will travel
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Liked 294 Times
in
161 Posts
I have these, they provide tremendous flat resistance. They are also very well made & stand up to potholes and other urban abuse. The compound is very hard and can slide on wet pavement, however.
Michael
Michael
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#8
not a role model
I'm not saying they're flat-prone, just that they've proven to be no better than the other tires i've tried.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I 'upgraded' my new bike to armadillo nimbus 35's from vittoria 32's. On the very first ride I thought the armadillos were both much harsher riding and noticeably slower than the tires I test rode. The second or third ride they seemed fine. I don't know if they 'broke in' somehow or I just got used to them.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Montreal
Posts: 6,521
Bikes: Peugeot Hybrid, Minelli Hybrid
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I didnt like the ride. I now use Panaracer TG foldable, which have none of the sidewall protection. This risk of punctures is worth paying to get the better handling and the increased enjoyment.
#11
TWilkins
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here's a link to my experience on them.
With that said, if you're looking for a bomb-proof tire, the 'dillos are probably what you're looking for if you don't mind the trade-offs.
With that said, if you're looking for a bomb-proof tire, the 'dillos are probably what you're looking for if you don't mind the trade-offs.
#12
Support JDRF
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 925
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus, Specialized Roubaix Elite
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
I have 2000 miles on this set. Some of the outside rubber is missing so you can see the Kevlar. And I can see some metal slivers in the tire that I am scared to take out. Never had a flat with them though.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 72
Bikes: Surly Steamroller, Custom Reynolds Road Bike, Vivente World Randonneur
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've put 3000+ kms on 26" x 1.5 dillo's with only one flat. I've pulled large nails out without a flat. Great puncture resistance and slow wearing but they do ride slow and harsh and can be slippery in the wet.
#14
Gemutlichkeit
I have 23's on one of my roadies with 1.5" on two other roadified MTB's. I swear by 'em, but they do ride harsher than the tissue tires usually found on road bikes. But, even with the 23's, I can deflate to 70psi in front to dampen things if I want to. This is because they are so strong. I'm 250lbs, so sidewalls are an issue for me. I've never flatted with 23's yet. Very easy on and off, too.
The 1.5's have a combined 9000+ miles on them with six flats. A sheetrock screw, a joist-hanger nail, and two instances of ultra thin wire from a car tire that went through like a hypo needle. The other two were from the rim tape slipping aside to allow contact with the inside of the rim against the tube, so that really doesn't count.
They will slip a bit easier in the wet, so just don't be an idiot.
Get 'em.
The 1.5's have a combined 9000+ miles on them with six flats. A sheetrock screw, a joist-hanger nail, and two instances of ultra thin wire from a car tire that went through like a hypo needle. The other two were from the rim tape slipping aside to allow contact with the inside of the rim against the tube, so that really doesn't count.
They will slip a bit easier in the wet, so just don't be an idiot.
Get 'em.
#15
beatz down lo|seatz up hi
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Missouri, USA
Posts: 1,062
Bikes: A 2007 Trek 4300. 22.5", 1981 Trek 610 24" (61cm)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
27x1 1/4 Armadillos on my Trek 610. No flats yet, insanely difficult to mount, but totally worth it. I avoid rain with them, but they may not be that bad in the rain, I'm just scared to find out. When I get a 700c wheelset for this bike I'll be moving to something else, maybe Conti Gatorskins.
#16
beatz down lo|seatz up hi
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Missouri, USA
Posts: 1,062
Bikes: A 2007 Trek 4300. 22.5", 1981 Trek 610 24" (61cm)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here's a link to my experience on them.
With that said, if you're looking for a bomb-proof tire, the 'dillos are probably what you're looking for if you don't mind the trade-offs.
With that said, if you're looking for a bomb-proof tire, the 'dillos are probably what you're looking for if you don't mind the trade-offs.
#17
I've used them for commuting an average of 3 days per week for 3 years. 3 flats in that time. It's nice riding on debris-strewn shoulders and not having to worry about picking up anything.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Posts: 12,257
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
they rarely flat, but they feel harsh and have poor rolling resistance, even for a 25mm wide tyre.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#20
Senior Member
Agreed . Hardest to mount. I liked them for having so few flats over a year's time. But, change them on the road. The rigid sidewalls... Nearly impossible... They would take skin off of your knuckles. What was equally frustrating, the difficulty of inserting the bead under the rim.. Sometimes, that resulted in pinch flats. Even tho I liked them once i got them on. Still, I switched to Continentals. Repairing them out on the road was just too frustrating.
__________________
Pray for the Dead and Fight like Hell for the Living
^ Since January 1, 2012
Pray for the Dead and Fight like Hell for the Living
^ Since January 1, 2012
#21
Gemutlichkeit
hmmm... just can't understand the difficulty some of you report in mounting the Army's. Both my 26" and 700's are as easy as any tire I've ever used. Easier than some because they hold shape better while starting them on. You guys all just using your hands? What about tire spoons? Must be your rims. My road bike rims are old school Mavic on this '95 Scott.
#22
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I put them on my hybrid a couple of years ago and really like them. I do mostly urban riding and these tires handle glass, potholes etc very nicely..a bit harder ride but it is a tradeoff for faster speed.
#23
pothole dodger
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have the 28 version and they've been great so far. I've only had one flat and that was from a vicious pothole hiding in a puddle that no tire would have survived. I've picked some seriously large pieces of glass out of them that I couldn't believe did not result in a flat.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Reisterstown, MD
Posts: 3,249
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
hmmm... just can't understand the difficulty some of you report in mounting the Army's. Both my 26" and 700's are as easy as any tire I've ever used. Easier than some because they hold shape better while starting them on. You guys all just using your hands? What about tire spoons? Must be your rims. My road bike rims are old school Mavic on this '95 Scott.
-D
#25
beatz down lo|seatz up hi
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Missouri, USA
Posts: 1,062
Bikes: A 2007 Trek 4300. 22.5", 1981 Trek 610 24" (61cm)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
hmmm... just can't understand the difficulty some of you report in mounting the Army's. Both my 26" and 700's are as easy as any tire I've ever used. Easier than some because they hold shape better while starting them on. You guys all just using your hands? What about tire spoons? Must be your rims. My road bike rims are old school Mavic on this '95 Scott.