Armadillos for the 10m/day ride

[Eurygnomes]

Dears,

I've been trekking myself from Islington to Victoria for the last 6 weeks or so - since my office moved itself further away from my home (damn you, office people, damn you!).

Apart from a few less than pleasant moments, some rather hideous road surfaces etc. and the general niggles about cycling in a downpour, I've not had any problems.

ME, that is.

The bike (Trek 1.2 C) on the other hand, has. Namely...those things which make your tyres say "meh".

I've gotten so adept at replacing inner tubes; I can do it in a few minutes without taking the entire rear wheel off (always the rear tyre). And my inner tubes are growing patches at a rate of knots.

Anyhoo...after Friday and Monday's punctures happening too close together for my liking; I'm considering purchasing some Armadillos.

I'd like to purchase them online if possible (well, if that's where the best deal can be found). Is there something I should be aware of? It shipped with Bontrager Approved alloy rims and they are currently wearing (the also shipped with) Bontrager Race AW, 700x23c (43cm: 650x23c).

But what does this mean?
How big are my wheels (how would I know - is that the 700 bit?)?

And if anyone has any other suggestions (other than "stop riding through fields of broken glass") as to how I might retain perfectly pneumodynamic tyres...I'd be v. grateful.

Milles merci

 

[HLaB]

Your wheels are indeed 700mm; the 23 refers to the width of the tyre. They are the two dimensions you really need to be concerned with; getting the same dia (700mm) and a similar width (23mm); the safest thing to do is to get the exact same size (700x23c). You'll find loads on line but I usually shop around between Chainreactioncycles, wiggle and Probikekit all have got fast free delivery IME.

Amadillos won't be invulnerable but will certainly cope with 10 miles a day. I had one on the back of my sirrus and I was stupid enough to use NCN1 at the time which was covered in unavoidable glass for a while and I can't recall p'turing.

Other tip remember and keep you'r tyres up to pressure (I like to run my 100 psi +); the harder they are unfortunately the more harsh the ride but they'll roll better and and refract foreign objects such as glass. You are also less likely to suffer from pinch p'tures.

 

[Eurygnomes]

Thanks loads HLaB.

What are pinch punctures? Are they when I've put the wheel and trapped the inner tube and it all goes Pete Tong under pressure? Or is it more like when I hit a pothole/manhole cover/slightly raised molehill of concrete/tarmac etc. and something else happens?

I do usually pump mine to 7.5bar. Is that 100psi? I'll check my track pump at home (used VERY frequently, as I've noticed the difference).

Would the 700X25's also be an option? Is it better to have a bit of additional width? What would change on the ride?

Sorry for the additional Q's...I'm sure it's trial and error that gives the best answer - but if someone else's been through most of the trials, then maybe I won't need to make so many errors...!

 

[HLaB]

A pinch p'ture is when you hit something like a pothole and it causes the tyre to squeeze up against the rim; the tube the meat in the sandwich ;-) comonly you'll see 2 small holes (also known as snake bites) if this has happened. The harder the the tyre the less likely this is to occur. Without getting scientific (just a quick glance of my pump), 7.5 bar is about 107 psi, thats fine; I usually ride 105psi in the rear 100psi in the front. Some folk like to run 120psi (just over 8bar) but I don't think its worth it for a slightly harsher ride.
700x25 may be an option but it depends on the individual bike if you have clearance for the extra couple of mm (you'll be able to see how much of a gap between the forks and thetyres you have at the moment). Additional width will make the ride more comfortable but will also slow you down a bit but a change from 23 to 25mm I doubt anyone would even notice it.

 

[Eurygnomes]

Thanks LOADS!

I shall now go look up some Armadillo 700X23s.

And having done that, I'm flummoxed between

Borough Pro Elite
Roubaix Elite
All Condition
All Condition Elite (seriously, do they do this just for ppl like me?)
Infinity
Nimbus

THankfully, all the rest show chunkier tyres - so at least I'm limited to browsing the +'s and -'s of 'only' 6!

 

[Flying Dodo]

I tend to just go for All Condition Elite, although to be honest I couldn't feel any difference between those and ordinary All Conditions, apart from the paint on the side.

A good habit to get into, which I've mentioned once or twice before, is once a week/2 weeks, deflate the tyres, and then carefully go over them, and then prise out any bits of grit/glass stuck in the tyres, as over time they can work their way through. Some people then go to the effort of putting a blob of super glue into any big flaps left, but I can't be bothered.

 

[som3blok3]

+1 for the 'All conditions'. I ride 700x25c at the moment but will be up(down)grading to 23c as soon as spring shows it's long overdue face. As for picking out stones/glass/flint etc, I find it much easier with the tryes up to 120psi (8.5bar ish) as they kind of stick out more. Pulled a piece of flint out the other day which almost made it through the multi woven membrane stuff, stone age man would of been proud to put this kiddy on his spear it was that big!!

Been riding these all the way through winter and not had one puncture, doing 18 miles every day, (guess what I'm going to find on my bike when I open the shed in the morning............)

 

[Eurygnomes]

Thanks all: I've selected an All Condition 700x25 tyre.

Here's one more question: is it okay to have different tyres on the wheels? I'm trying to spread the purchases out a bit...

N

 

[Flying Dodo]

It doesn't matter at all. It would only be an issue if you were in a posh cycling club who insist on you having everything identical down to colour co-ordinated valves caps.

 

[snailracer]

Thanks all: I've selected an All Condition 700x25 tyre.

Here's one more question: is it okay to have different tyres on the wheels? I'm trying to spread the purchases out a bit...

N

There is no problem with doing this. I also inflate the front tyre to a lower pressure than the rear, as good grip is more important on the front.

Armadillos have a reputation for being slippery in the wet, so I would only use them on the rear wheel where their durability and puncture resistance is more important than grip. Ditto Continental Sport Contacts.

For various reasons, punctures are more common on rear tyres so Armadillos would work well there.

 

[Eurygnomes]

if you were in a posh cycling club who insist on you having everything identical down to colour co-ordinated valves caps.

Chance'd be a fine thing. I only have one valve cap and valve ring for two inner tubes due to having unwisely chosen a slopey bit of ground that channelled things into a drain for a tube replacement moment!

For various reasons, punctures are more common on rear tyres so Armadillos would work well there.

WOOOOOOOOT!! Ordered. Am now looking forward to putting it on my wheel. That'll be an indoors-over-the-weekend job, methinks!

Thanks for all your help everyone.

 

[Aperitif]

No -one has hammered away at using Marathon + 700 x 25s for London glass-ridden commutes so far Naomi, so I'll be the first! Puncture puncture puncture!!! No no no! Good luck, and renewed energy - even though your wheels are tyred.

Oh - 8 Bar - a little less in front if the conditions are dodgy.

 

[661-Pete]

I've been using 'dillos for years, and on the whole they're pretty good, fairy-repellent-wise I mean! You should get no more than one visit per 1000-2000 miles, hopefully. Once they've worn down after a few thousands, they're useless.

They're not so good on grip, especially on slippery greasy or icy roads. Take care. Better when they've broken-in a bit.

They can be a devil to get on the rim, especially when new. Try stretching them: grip the top in your hands, hook your feet into the bottom, and shove! And practice fitting them and removing them from the rims, several times, without inner tubes. Then try with inners, partially inflated (but not too much). Or there are tools which will help (avoid tyre levers).

I've now swapped to Schwalbe Duranos, another well-reviewed* PR brand (the road version of the Marathon+). A bit more pricey. I'll see how they go.

*[edit] pace Aperitif

 

[Tawny]

Purchasing armoured tyres has been the best investment I've made for my bike. I haven't had one puncture since fitting them well over twelve months ago. I do 15 miles a day and have done a couple of 100 milers on them. I picked the Continental Gator skins.

I agree with 611-Pete about fitting them. I actually had to take my rear wheel to the shop as the tools I had (Tyre levers) just wouldn't do the job. They fitted it and I bought the tool that they used which was an extending tyre lever that fits to the wheel axle and gives you more leverage to get the tyre on.

 

[Eurygnomes]

Well dears, I fitted my Armadillo tyre to my back wheel last night. I'd had to scrunch it down a little in the pannier bag on the way home last night, as I'd had it delivered to the office (becuase I was moving, and not sure which address I'd be at). Not ideal, I grant you, but it meant that it slipped on perfectly - even using tyre levers to get it there.

EIther I didn't do it right; or I did. I didn't get a puncture on the way in today...so I'm gonna believe in the 'so far, so good' theory of bike maintenance.

Here's to long times passing between replacement tubes...