Tyre Advice - Armadillos or Botanger Race Lite -

HighgateN6

Dear All,

I wanted to know from the wise people of this board the following:

1. I have fitted Armadillo Specialized tyres to my Trek Race bike.... for the last year.... I have never got a puncture.., but do they slow me down..????

2..Will I go faster if I change the tyres to the Race lite lyres by Bortanger.. Ofcourse I will get more punctures, but will I go faster and will it be easier to climb hills.


Many thanks,

Highgate :? :?:

Infamous

The bontrager will probably be marginally faster. I doubt you'd notice the extra speed.

Rich158

I dislike teh Armadillo's intensely, I found them to be heavy and uncomfortable, and yes they are a slow rolling tyre. However I am not impressd with the Bonty race lites that came with my Trek, after puncturing the rear on every ride I eventually ditched it due to excessive flint damage after little more than 400 miles. I now use a Continental GP4000s on the back and haven't had a puncture since (nearly 1500 miles)

rjh299

i use the specialised on my commuter and had no problems at all.they don't appear 2 be much different compared 2 race lite.i've put about 2000 miles on my race lites and not got a single puncture though.just upgraded 2 pro race 3s now which are a definite improvement.

liversedge

i've used both. the armadillos are unbelievably heavy and slow. the race lites will be faster. I'v recently switched to schwalbe ultremos tho - they roll great, have good grip and pretty good protection.

Mattinthezie

I haven't used the armadillo or bontrager tyres, but I did notice a huge difference when I changed from Continental Ultra Gatorskins (heavy like the armadillos) to Michelin pro 3 race.

pbt150

Whilst completely bomb-proof, the Armadillos are INCREDIBLY slow. I've just switched from them to Continental GP4000s and I noticed a HUGE difference. You'll get up to speed much faster, and you get better grip in the corners. The pedals almost feel 'lighter' than they used to be. Even with a headwind the bike seems faster than with the old tyres. If you're anxious about p*ncture resistance, go for the Continental 4000s (the 'S' is important), or Michelin Krylion Carbons, which are both pretty tough. Some people say the Pro Race 3's are fairly tough too.

avoidingmyphd

the armadillos will slow you down. they are amazing at what they do, but what they do is roll slowly and avoid punctures.

you'll see a difference if you change to other tyres; there's no need to go crazy and get 400s or pr3 ones.

alfablue

What about a half-way house. I have used Specialized All Conditions Pro's for years on all 3 bikes, never punctured one, they do have puncture protection but not Armadillo (they have "Flak Jacket"), they are reasonably light at 225g and roll fast. 2 for £35 at Websters at the moment.

avoidingmyphd

alfablue's suggetion is the kind of thing I had in mind when I suggested that 4000s or pr3's might be overkill.

Jaguar.

Might try the specialised if they are that good.

I use 4000s and the last two times I've been out on that bike, it's punctured.

Other bike has some rock hard Bontrager tyres on it, they don't puncture but they don't grip terribly well either!

HighgateN6

Thanks to everyone for this post, very helpful