Armadillos or Gatorskins?

mikdes said:

I'm about to begin commuting and am wondering on tire choice. I think I've narrowed it down to Specialized Armadillos or Conti Gatorskins. I'm in Oregon, so rain will be a factor. Durability and flat resistance are my biggest concerns.

Any thoughts? Are there any other suggestions that would be more economical?

I've had excellent results with my gatorskins. I'm big at 240lbs, and can wear out cheap or superlite equipment fast (can't climb worth a d@mn!) I'm on my second rear gatorskin, and still my first front (Run a 25 in the rear, 23 in the front for weight (mine) and comfort) That's about 6K miles this year. They wear really well, and I have not had one flat. I ride on pave, some cobble like rodes and the fairly occasional dirt/gravel road.
They also work well on my trainer.
They've worked "ok" in the rain and I've never really gotten squirly in a wet corner.
Hope that helps.

Thanks! Any other thoughts from anyone else?

I have the Specialized Armadillo's on two bikes - no flats and pretty durable. I've never tried the Contis.

🙂

Everyone who rides a lot knows that as any tire wears down the incidence of flats begins to increase proportionaly. After I put my sixth or seventh patch on my tube I finally bite the bullet and buy new tires. After my sixth or seventh set of tires I decided to buy the Armidillos. I don't care how stiff they are and how heavy they are, all I know is I have gone about three times longer without a flat than on any other tire I have ever ridden.