zara wrote:
> I've been using armadillo tires to prevent flats. They have a problem
The problem as you have described it, and other problems that others
have described, makes these tires unsatisfactory. Besides what is
described in this thread, the tires are very stiff and give a very poor
ride. You can do a lot better in many ways, including flat prevention:
-Try the Schwalbe Marathon Plus. They are available in sizes from
700x28 up to something very large. I believe they are also available in
26". There is also the Schwalbe Marathon, which is available in similar
sizes as well as 27". If you are looking for something narrower, like a
700x23 or 25, try the Stelvio Plus, which is of similar construction.
The Marathon Plus has more than 1cm of rubber between tube and road,
yet, because the extra rubber is soft, not hard, it keeps rolling
resistance and ride quality reasonable, unlike the Armadillos. The flat
protection is superior to the Armadillos as well.
-Other very flat resistant tires are the Vittoria Randonneur and the
Continetal Top Touring, both available in sizes from 700x28 up. The Top
Touring rides well and the Randonneur is a little stiff, but either
will ride better than the Armadillos.
Now a question: do you really need this sort of extreme flat
protection? Ordinary tires are quite durable and even very flat
resistant tires can be punctured by thorns (except for the Marathon
Plus) and nails.(the Marathon Plus will absorb a thumbtack no problem).
Watching where you are going might be a better solution, along with an
extra durable but fairly normal tire, like the IRC Tandem, Avocet Duro
Plus, or Michelin Carbon (now Krylion).