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Specialized Bicycles Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5 | $39.75
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BikeRadar verdict

35 out of 5 stars

"A tough tyre whose stiffness takes the edge off speed and grip"

Tue 18 Nov 2008, 10:00 am UTCBy Dan Joyce, Cycling Plus

‘Armadillo’ Is a layered nylon casing that runs from bead to bead to protect the tyre sidewalls as well as the tread. It works well, especially against cuts rather than fine sharps, and of the tyres we tested it against, only the Marathon Plus and Conti Top Contact were notably tougher. 

Speed is a bit slower than you’d think, more due to a lack of suppleness than bulk as it’s not heavy. The dynamo track is a useful extra, and the sinuous tread may help on towpaths.

As with many hard wearing steel beaded tyres it's a tight fit on the rim, which can make en-route repairs tricky but there won't be many of those, as the casing doesn't seem to yield to anything you might reasonably ride over.

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User Reviews

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  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5

    I have had these tyres for six weeks. I have changed back to my old marathon plus tyres with an added liner. The description above says they can roll over just about anything, well i have had my 5th puncture since fitting them, two today! One going to work(nail) and one coming home(screw). I know i am unlucky but they dont live up to the hype! The screw shredded the tyre and ruined it!!!! I commute 29.5 miles a day, all on road.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5

    I've been running these for about a year now. I used to use Spesh Fatboys which were v.fast, but after a couple of moments with absolutely no grip I changed. First I tried Panaracer Urban Max's, whcih were fairly fast but also somewhat puncture-prone. Since running the Nimbus's I have had I think 3 punctures in a year of 5-day-a-week, 12-mile-each-way commuting into central London. And all this with not only my lardy arse on the bike, but panniers as well. They're not the fastest, and the grip is reasonable, but in terms of reliability and therefore overall time saved I reckon they're the best I've come across. I'll be sticking with them.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5

    Utter rubbish! I had to 'slick up' my MTB for commuting due to the road bike being unwell and was assured these would be as tough as the Marathon Plusses I usually ride on (no p*******s in 18 months).

    First commute on these and voila, a flat.......grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5

    Schwalbe Marathon Plus every time. Thousands of miles of commuting and zero punctures. fantastic tyre.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5

    I'm new to bike riding and having paid £400 for a specialzed bike I would have thought it would come with some decent tyres. The All condiion tres it came with were complete pants and punctured so often I was happy to go two days without a puncture. Then someone suggested these. I've had them 6 weeks now with no punctures and they feel safe.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5

    I bought a specialized fsr comp 09 a few months ago, I go XC when I get the time, but find my self doing high mileage on the roads and light tracks. There are no perfect all round tires so with lots of research I chose the specialized Nimbus Armadillo's. I had just come back from a ride where I average 10.5 miles with the captains', the Nimbus have done an average of 14.1 mile, best part of a 40% like for like gain. The nimbus have decent grip with a good feel. I will review again after a few hundred miles, with these tires it won't be long.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5

    I've been running these on my Spesh Hardrock for over a year now, put about 800 miles on them and not one puncture yet. Not a lot of off road work on them but when I have had to I've not been worried. The tyres that came with the bike punctured almost continuously. Love em

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5

    I have done the best part of 500 miles on these since July. Not one puncture, there are one or two poor reviews, there is no tyre on the market that is nail or screw proof, it's just bad luck.

    The tyre has preformed as well as expected, I would recommend this tyre to all.

    P.S if you are looking for some awesome lights check out the Stella 300 dual lights. £229.99 from Merlin Cycles. These are absolutely blindingly bright and last 3 hours on full beam.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5

    I’ve been running these for 18 months, and have had one puncture on them.

    My commute is an 18 mile round trip, 3 to 5 days a week.

    Before I fitted the Nimbus tyres, I had 13 punctures in two weeks, and had to throw away the Michelin tyres I was using, because they had slivers of broken bottle glass embedded in them.

    The Nimbus roll reasonably, handling is good, and they are grippy in the wet.

    0.3

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Specification

Name:
Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5
Built by:
Specialized Bicycles
Price:
$39.75

Manufacturer's Description:
This armoured version of our classic fast rolling tread has a rounded profile and recessed tread for great traction, designed for speedy commutes and changing conditions city streets even when they include glass, nails, and other hazards.
Weight (g):
595 g
Additional Features:
Armadillo technology, the ultimate in puncture resistance. Durable 70a compound
Max PSI:
80 psi
Bead:
Wire
Rubber Compound:
70a
Tyre Width Sizes Available:
1.5
Colour:
Black

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