"toughest" tire made?

Triathlon Forum
1

So what are everyone’s opinions on the “toughest” tire out there? I moved to north central VT last year and have found that you run the risk of nearly every road turning into a dirt road just around the next bend. Once “mud season” is over the dirt seems to be hard-packed enough to not matter a whole lot, but for now there is dirt, gravel, sharp rocks, small dead animals, etc. everywhere.

I just saw the Conti 4-season tire and wonder if that is the direction I should go? I’d rather not spend $100 ($50x2) for training tires, but if that is the best bet, then so be it. Can you run 30mm cross tires on a standard bike setup? Would that even help? Doesn’t someone make the world’s most bombproof, run over broken glass and thumbtacks and not flat, 10-ply tires?

Any input?

PS. weight does not matter even a tiny bit.

2

I sure like the basic, wire bead Continental Gatorskin tire. It has the same casing as the Four Season but is less expensive and maybe even more durable. It isn’t a performance tire, but it is a durable tire. We sell tons of them and people like them.

3

The Specialized Armadillo is supposed to be pretty tough. I’m running Panaracer T-Serv’s on my commuter bike and have had really good luck with them.

If you go with Continental, get the widest one you can find (25mm minimum). They run narrow and the narrower ones are more subject to sidewall damage.

4

I’ve been riding the Conti Gatorskin for a year and a half now, and these things are great for training.

I found this website that sells solid tires. Looks like this would be the flat proof solution, although must be a royal pain to install.

http://www.nu-teck.com/product.html

6

Here’s a cool link to some testing done on different road bike tires:

http://biomech.me.unr.edu/wang/abstracts/puncture.htm

I’m running the Conti Ultra Gatorskins right now, but looking at the extra weight of the Armadillos and their reputation, I would say they are the most bomb-proof training tire.

sweet

7

Like others here, I’m a fan of the Conti Ultra Gatorskin tires. Not the lightest tire in the world, but better to be a little heavier than on the side of the road changing tubes all the time, IMO.

8

I have tried both the Gatorskins and the Armadillos. Gatorskins are pretty tough, but for training you cant beat the Armadillos. They are heavy as hell, but tougher even than the Conti’s. I run them with thornproof tubes, and at 7+ pounds total for both front and rear wheels, when I take them off and put on my racing wheels (Reynolds Stratus) I feel like I am flying!

Unless you are doing a lot of fast group rides with a lot of climbing where you are struggling to hang on to the group I cant see why you wouldn’t want to run some heavier training wheels/tires

9

I ride every ride on Vittoria Corsa CX and or Corsa CX “King Mario” on all my wheels. I like to keep the feel constant…when I ride with other tires I feel like I have a condom on and cant “feel” the road.

10

“I feel like I have a condom on”

So I take it you’ve been using Powercranks…

11

Not yet, I do however look forward to trying out the “Aero Penile Tent” theory as I ride IMLP fully errect after an OD of Viagra (note: they claim that if you are…well…um…“at attention” for more than FOUR HOURS on the “ED” drugs you should rush to the doctor…what is it the doctor is going to do? Would I go to a female doctor? I hope).

12

The most bomb proof tire is a solid tire. There are several brands. Never stop to fix a flat in training again.

Frank

13

I’m planning on getting some Armadillos for my training wheels, but have also been considering putting them on my race wheels (yes they’re clinchers). I know they weigh a lot, but will that make much difference in overall performance? I’m not in contention for any awards and will be doing pretty flat races.

Does anyone know if the performance differences between heavy bombproof clincher tires and “high performance” clincher tires be significant?

14

I ran Gator skins last season and they cut straight across the tread on first outing, then I ran 4 seasons for 1600 miles over the last year , no punctures either year thanks to Panaracer flat liners. They have to be the best solution, a comfortable ride with good traction and no flats.

15

tufo s33 specials. black with black sidewalls. great for the gravel roads I travel.

16

I have the Gatorskins on my commuter, and they’re awesome. I haven’t flatted yet (knock on wood), even though I’ve somehow been unable to avoid glass, wire, etc. that’s on the shoulder of the road. I love 'em and am planning to replace my current set with another set when needs be.

17

Check out the Ruffy-Tuffy tire from Rivendell. A big, fat, tough-as-nails training tire that rolls and turns like a dream.

18

I have tried a bunch of the “tough” kine tires and the best by far for bulletproof are the Armadillos. They weigh a ton and ride like Flintstone tires, but I have picked hunks of glass and wires out of them that I couldn’t believe. I have never flatted an Armadillo. Big Island uses sharp lava to make their roads and Oahu has more glass per mile than I have ever seen.So most every one has an Armadillo to use when their luck gets bad.
Gatorskins do pretty good for 500mi or so then seem to pick up flats about the same as regular tires. Any of the Sefras or Bonti tuffskin tires do pretty well, and rid a lot better than Armadillos. G

19

G-man, would using Arnadillos slow you down in a race compared to other tires?

20

I second the vote for the Tufo s33.

21

Tubbies their not just for racing anymore !!