Designed for the toughest streets in Europe. Inverted all-weather tread, bead-to-bead flat protection. With the added benefit of Armadillo flat protection.
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from St Paul Alberta Canada Date Reviewed: August 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
This tire is outstanding for most types of touring and commuting. It performed well on local paved roads and while touring through Ireland, Wales, England and Germany. Rode on some hard packed gravel roads and absorbed some bumps on both pavement and gravel under loaded panniers with no loss of air pressure or flats. Tires lost very minimal air pressure over the time that I have been using them.
Weaknesses:
I suspect tire may be hard to remove from the wheel in the event of a flat due to the rigid sidewalls. As of yet I have not had a flat. This stiffer sidewalls may take away some of the shock absorbant capabilities for softer tires, but a good seat and possible a seat post shock would easily over come this.
Similar Products Used:
A cheap, on-sale 700 x 35, except for multiple MTB 26" tires. First time using 700 size tires for communting and touring.
Bike Setup:
700 x 35 tires with Mavic Speed city rims. Tubes have a slime type component to seal leaks if they occur (I suspect this is more a "feel good" thing only). Bike is a Vertex 30 Rocky Mountain with Avid Mech brakes and 165mm rotors. Seat is a Rocky Mountain (not bad) with a MTB Roch shox suspension seatpost.
Bottom Line:
I'm sure there are other comparible tires out there, but I would recommend these Armadillo's for commuting and loaded touring. I highly suspect, because of the more rigid sidewalls, they will have a very good staying power over long periods of use. Pay the extra few dollars for a good set of tires to reduce if not almost eliminate flats. If you live in bear country flats are not good for the rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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