Specialized 02 Nimbus Armadillo Tire Tires - Clincher

Average Rating: 4.44/5
MSRP: $
# of Reviews: 9

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Product Description

Bead-to-bead flat protection for ATB commuters or street denizens. Inverted tread help with wet weather traction and extends tire life.

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Reviews 1 - 5 (9 Reviews Total)

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Submitted by holona a Commuter from

Date Reviewed: October 12, 2010

Strengths:    Handled well in many riding conditions

Weaknesses:    high price and short life

Bottom Line:

These wore out fast. 3, almost 4 months on em and the tread starting to separate exposing kevlar layer. Very dissapointing, really enjoyed the ride these tires delivered. Handles well in the rain, watchout for street paint and reflectors, handles gravel and shallow loose dirt. Hardly had to add inflate, never had a puncture or pinch flate, just a bad valve. Even took it to LBS where i purchased to ask about the short life of the tires and was told this was normal which sucks cause they weren't cheaP!

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Favorite Ride:   sirrus

Price Paid:    $50.00

Purchased At:   2nd 3rd hand

Bike Setup:   sirrus sport

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Submitted by Ed a Commuter from

Date Reviewed: October 9, 2006

Strengths:    Good flat protection, tread seems to last a decent amount of time.

Weaknesses:    Not as fast as they should be for as stiff as they are. About as useful as a slick in the rain at any sort of PSI. Harsh ride.

Bottom Line:

These actually came on my commuter bike, a Specialzied Sirrus. When they wore out, I bought another pair. They seemed to do ok, not fantastic. VERY stiff tire, and pretty heavy. I have a pair of Michelin Trans City on my bike now (700x32 vs 700x28 for the Nimbus), and they are faster rolling, better cornering, and a much smoother ride. These tires do have a tread pattern, but at 80psi or above, they absolutely suck in the rain. I have wrecked several times just making very, VERY casual turns, and had the tires just 'swick' right out from under me with no warning at all.

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Favorite Ride:   My bike(s)

Price Paid:    $30.00

Purchased At:   LBS

Similar Products Used:   Michelin Trans City

Bike Setup:   Commuter:
Specialized Sirrus Comp
Race Face cranks (46T/34T)
XTR levers and brakes
Mavic Open Pro/Ultegra wheels
Richey SPD's
Terry Fly seat
XT front and rear derailers
SRAM Grip Shift 9.0 shifters

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Submitted by Bill Abbey a Recreational Rider from

Date Reviewed: April 21, 2005

Strengths:    wears very well, puncture resistance, handles wet surfaces just fine, functions well at varying range of tire pressures, smooth ride.

Weaknesses:    It is a stiff tire and some riders would prefer a softer ride. There are "faster" tires, though at 100 psi, it rolls along pretty good.

Bottom Line:

This product is for loaded and unloaded touring, and commuting. It works very well every day and does not have to be tended to (supervised). It is not for events where speed or fashion are a requirement, but then neither am I.

While soloing across N.America, I ended up at a bike store in Duluth, Minnesota. My CONTNENTALS ("the gold standard of touring tires") failed me with (1)tread degredation and (1)a bulge in the sidewall. They had provided a comfortable ride but many flats.

I am a fairly large man and I was fully loaded, so the mechanic suggested that I try these Nimbus Armadillos. No, repeat no, flats for the last 2000 miles. I rode some rail trail, lots of trans Canada concrete and deteriorating shoulder, as well as normal commuter stuff. I will be buying a wider pair for my tour in Alaska this summer (some gravel hwy).

I do not relish fixing a flat in bear country or when I could be in camp, fishing, or taking pictures. There are two kinds of adventures, I prefer the second.

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Price Paid:    $25.00

Purchased At:   ski & bike (?) Dulut

Similar Products Used:   Contintal touring, Vitoria Randanours, Vitoria Couriers

Bike Setup:   Marin Hybrid

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Submitted by bigbill a Commuter from

Date Reviewed: April 1, 2005

Strengths:    Bulletproof
Confident grip
Will handle the occasional fireroad

Weaknesses:    Rough ride

Bottom Line:

I ride to work everyday, rain or shine. You could look for stuff to run over with these tires. Today I had a half inch thorn in the tire. I pulled it out and listened for air escaping. None. I submerged the hole in a puddle, no leaks.

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Favorite Ride:   Commute to Pearl Harbor

Price Paid:    $30.00

Purchased At:   The Bike Shop Aiea

Similar Products Used:   Continental Gatorskins

Bike Setup:   2005 Gary Fisher 292 29" MTB. Eggbeater pedals, god forsaken creaky Bontrager crankset.

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Submitted by ColaBoy a Commuter from

Date Reviewed: August 26, 2004

Strengths:    Bullet proof. I am pulling the sort of crap out of them that would kill any other tyre I've had. Excellent water displacement.

Weaknesses:    None yet.

Bottom Line:

Cost 20GBP Each

Tyres are excellent. Swapped them out for a pair of Maxxis Xenith's which gave me two flats in just over 100 miles. The ride on these at 90psi (max is 100psi) is harder than the Maxxis, but just as fast.

I do a 20mile round trip around Heathrow every day, and these tyres are the mutt's cluster. I actually ride all the way now without being forced to crouch by the roadside.