Commuting tire recommendations?

[invisiblehand]

Panaracer Pasela TGs are my standard. If you’re really flat adverse, go with a Schwalbe Marathon or one of its variations.

Schwalbe Big Apples are awesome tires. But you need to fit at least 50 mm wide tires and if you’re commuting in all weather, you might want fenders.

[PrintError]

invisiblehand;10167 wrote:

if you’re commuting in all weather, you want fenders.

ftfy

[invisiblehand]

@PrintError 10182 wrote:

ftfy

I’m with you bud; but I figure everyone can pick their poison.

[hencio]

I’ve had a rash of flats lately. I think I’m gonna try the Pasela TGs in 35. Thanks for the responses.

[jrenaut]

@hencio 10223 wrote:

I’ve had a rash of flats lately. I think I’m gonna try the Pasela TGs in 35. Thanks for the responses.

Me, too! Another one today. That’s the second this week. I think I’m getting something this weekend, just have to decide between Panaracers from my LBS or going somewhere else for the Specialized.

[jrenaut]

As I was leaving the house this morning, already late, I found that I had a slow leak from the night before that turned into a totally flat tire. Rather than change another [expletive deleted] tube, I took Metro today and then put on the new Specialized All Condition Armadillo Elites when I got home. They’re 23s, instead of the Kenda 25s that came with the bike, and they seem to have a little more clearance for the fenders, which makes sense.

I’m totally pumped about riding in tomorrow.

New tires by thetejon, on Flickr

[KLizotte]

Today I replaced my OEM Botranger Hard Case tires for Borough CX Armadillo Elites and was delighted to find out that I would be going from 80 psi to 100 psi as a result. I didn’t know I could increase the psi on hybrid tires. Going home I enjoyed an immediate 2 mph increase with the same amount of pedaling effort. If only I had known a year ago…..

While slow, the hard case tires only gave me one flat in 2,700 miles and that was totally my fault: a pinch flat caused by going over a sharp curb with a heavy commuter load on the rack (I was distracted watching the tourists by the Jefferson Memorial).

I changed tires to be better prepared for the upcoming winter weather but will probably keep the armadillos on permanently.

I didn’t think ahead how to get the old tires home and didn’t have anywhere to put them on the bike so I ended up sticking them over my head and wearing them across my body like a big, awkward sash. The people in my apartment building think I’m really weird.

[off2ride]

I use Specialized Armadillo Elite’s 700×23. I’m 135 pounds and they haven’t failed me yet. A little pricey but worth it. Good luck.

[Certifried]

Was just about to put my CC information in to the Specialized page for the Armadillo Elites when I realized I could save $15 shipping. Unfortunately, my LBS doesn’t have them, but they do have the Bontrager Hard Case tires.

Are the Bontragers decent? I’ve only seen a few other comments about them. Or should I search all the local LBSs for an Armadillo?

[Dirt]

90% of my commuting this year has been on carbon fiber wheels with tubular tires. The riding has been fast and awesome, but ultimately the prospect of flatting costing $75/tire and taking 3 days to completely fix would cause me to NOT recommend this to others.

The good news is that Stan’s sealant in the tubes lets loose a really cool plume of aerosol latex when you do flat with 130psi in your tire. Ultimately it does its job by slowing the flat JUST enough so that you can come down to a safe speed before the tire goes completely flat. Who knew that Stan’s tasted so good?

(Yes. I know this post has absolutely ZERO real-world value. I just couldn’t resist.)

[Certifried]

For some reason, that makes me think of Batter Blaster [ATTACH=CONFIG]1136[/ATTACH]

[OneEighth]

All it took was flatting my tubulars back to back a few times for me to kiss the lovely ride goodbye. I kill enough brain cells what with all the WD40, concussions, and whatnot. No need to be sniffing tire cement regularly, too.
Except when I ride with Pete or Tim, I’ve found that $15 Vittorias do just fine. Ride with either of them and you’ll flat for sure on the Vittorias.

[eminva]

@Certifried 21080 wrote:

Was just about to put my CC information in to the Specialized page for the Armadillo Elites when I realized I could save $15 shipping. Unfortunately, my LBS doesn’t have them, but they do have the Bontrager Hard Case tires.

Are the Bontragers decent? I’ve only seen a few other comments about them. Or should I search all the local LBSs for an Armadillo?

I have the Bontrager Hard Case tires on my erstwhile commuting bike. I can only compare them to the stock tires that came with that bike, because those are the only two sets I have had (well, up until Wednesday, when I picked up my new bike). I find they are a bit slower than the original tires, but I haven’t had a flat in over 3000 miles so at least there’s that.

Liz

[Dirt]

@OneEighth 21084 wrote:

Except when I ride with Pete or Tim, I’ve found that $15 Vittorias do just fine. Ride with either of them and you’ll flat for sure on the Vittorias.

More documentation of my superpowers:
1) Cause OneEighth to get flat tires
d) Cause destruction of all Toyota Priuses
9) Make beer disappear.

[mstone]

I’ve been pretty happy with the Continental Contacts.

[Author]

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