Are Armadillo tyres necessary?

wilwil
wilwil Posts: 374
edited January 2009 in Workshop
It took me about half an hour to remove an Armadillo tyre on Saturday and then I couldn't get it back on. They were on the bike when I bought it 2nd hand, I don't use it to commute so are they really necessary? I would hate to have a puncture and have this problem, especially in this weather. I was going to put used (1200+ miles) Rubino Pros on instead and put Michelin Pro3s on my best bike. I haven't had a puncture on the Rubino's yet.

Comments

  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    It depends on your priorities. There's a trade-off between weight, puncture resistance, ride quality, wear rate etc and Armadillos are totally focused on puncture resistance to the detriment of just about everything else. They ride horribly for starters. If they're also hard to get on and off your rims put the Rubino Pros on. They'll ride much better and you should be able to change a tube if you need to. Half an hour wrestling a tyre is crazy. I've ridden several race quality tyres until they've worn out without a single puncture so unless you're on really terrible roads or pathways a slight increase in puncture risk probably isn't a big deal.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I personally wouldn't bother with them. Michelin kyrlion carbons or Conti Gatorskins are possibly just as effective puncture wise and easier to get on and off.
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    I think it must be your rims causing the problems because I found Armadillos very easy to get on and off bog standard Shimano 105 wheels. I myself got shot because I hated the rolling - they were noticable slower. I use the same tyres winter and summer which are Schwalbe Ultremos or Michelin Pro3 Race. I do worry like yourself that I will puncture on them but it hasn't happened yet so I will carry on in my foolhardiness until that happens then perhaps re-evaluate.
  • Tranced
    Tranced Posts: 165
    I've had mine on & off & never a problem. Came with the bike 2nd hand. I've done over 1000M on them & not a single problem.
    Since I'm riding for pleasure & exercise, race speeds & weights are not a considderation. I'd far rather have a slightly slower, bumpy tyre & know I'm less likely to have to stop & repair punctures along the road, especially in this cold.
    Embrace cynicism…. see the bigger picture!!!!
  • brit66
    brit66 Posts: 350
    I put them on my commute bike this winter, and although I haven't had a puncture yet, they are truly an awful tyre to ride on: little grip in the wet and they're so bloody heavy they feel like the brakes are stuck on!

    I have used kyrlion carbons and still got punctures. I think the Armadillos are definitely stronger but with the above disadvantages.

    Will put my GP 4000s back on come the Spring, as I don't mind fixing punctures in daylight.

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