Well, in these troubled times I was ACTUALLY able to land a temporary, part-time job and would like ride to work as much as possible.
In everybody’s opinion…what is the BEST tube/tire combination to prevent flats. I ride Tufos now, and like them, but, in the event of a flat in which the sealant won’t clog, you’re kinda up a creek.
I appreciate anybody’s advice in advance. BTW, it’s about a 30 mile or so round trip.
Thanks!
Conti Gatorskins have always served me well. I ran a set for 3400 miles, and had one flat when I hit a rock on a dirt road at 25 mph at 110 psi. Whoops. It just pinch-flatted the tube. The tire was still rideable (in fact, I rode another ~1500 miles on it). In this instance, they really have earned their ubiquity.
I’ve previously used and like the Contis also, but cheaper and easier for me to get locally (i’m willing to shell out mail-order if necessary for high-end racing equipt, but stick with the LBS for commuter duds) were the Bontrager hardcase. They have kind of a stiff ride, but for banging around town that’s OK and I like the mixed tread for crappy pavement and even occasional gravel. Been plenty tough for me. If flats are a recurring issue (like your regular route is riddled with glass or whatever), there’s always additional tire liners like Tuffys. Heavy, but then they do the job stopping flats and you can always consider it extra training.
Specialized Armadillo tires.
If a little more tread is required, check out the Vittoria Randonneur’s. If you have the space (I use these on my cross bike for commuting), consider the Vittoria Randonneur Pro’s - they’re 700x35.
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I’ll second the Specialized Armadillos.
For bike commuting they are great. I rode threw some ugly stuff and never had a problem. The only down side is they are slow. But for solo bike commutes, who cares.
Another vote for the Armadillos. I use them on my commuter (25s) and for training on my road and tri bikes (23 Armadillo Elite). Amazing tires.
If a little more tread is required, check out the Vittoria Randonneur’s.
I second these; I used to get flats once every 1-2 months. After getting these I’ve had NONE for 4 years.
Specialized Armadillo tires.
x4
I’ve run Conti Gaterskins, cheap Nashbar Prima Plus2, and some Serfas and haven’t noticed any difference in flatting. I’ve only flatted once in several k miles.
I have had great luck with the Maxxis Refuse in 700x25. Nice thick tough casing and long lasting tread. They did have some tread/casing seperation issues last year which were dealt with and my last set I wore down to the casing before replacing them. Throw in a liner and a thorn resistant tube and nothing short of a nail will take them out.
Kevin
I’ll second the Specialized Armadillos.
For bike commuting they are great. I rode threw some ugly stuff and never had a problem. The only down side is they are slow. But for solo bike commutes, who cares.
I'll third them.
I’ve only ever had one flat on them. For some reason, I got it on a CompuTrainer. Never on the road. Seriously, on the CompuTrainer. No joke. Still haven’t figured out how I managed that one.
Seriously on the road, I can ride through anything and they hold up fine.
I use Conti 4 seasons for few years now, very happy with them. They even resist to jumping the occasional curb.
Specialized Armadillo tires.
x4
x5
and the newer versions see to be not so lethal in the wet as the originals were (although they are still not fantastic in the wet)
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i don’t know about pricing in America, but the Armadillos seem to be quite pricy here in the UK. By contrast the Bontrager Race Lite Hard case tires are very cheap and i have found them to be bomb proof.
Diff’rent stroke for diff’rent folks. That works, too.
Yeah, I noticed the price jump in Armadillos last year, but considering the durability of some (700x25c - two winters) consider it an investment in not needing to buy more tires for your commuter for quite a while.
The only down side is they are slow…
So, that makes them great training tires as well. A two-fer!
I also do a lot of commuting in the UK out in Hampshire near the stones. After getting two flats in one day, I decided to run tire liners–this allows me to run my old tires and get more life out of old tires I have laying around. I wouldn’t want to race on them, but that could be said the 40 quid tires recommended on this post as well. One set of liners will set you back maybe 10 quid, and you can reuse them for years.
I’ve ridden Specialized Armadillos, Conti Gatorskins, and Bontrager HardCases and haven’t totally loved any of them. I was convinced for a while that the Bontragers were the best tires made (I went a very long time with no flats on any of my bikes), but then experienced a rash of flats. Part of it is a move to an area with very rough roads and a lot of debris. I’m currently riding Panaracer TServ tires on my commuter and they seem excellent so far. They have incredible grip and seem very durable and flat-resistant. They were made for and named after a supposedly legendary messenger company in Tokyo. I don’t care much about that, but they’re great tires so far.
Anyone know anything about the Ritchey Tom Slick? I haven’t got much time on them but they sure seem tough enough.