Specialized Nimbus Armadillo review

The Specialized Armadillo puncture-resistant casing is well established as a good option for fit-and-forget riding. Put together with the Specialized Nimbus, well regarded as a good all-round commuting and touring tyre for 26in wheelers, and the result is an impressively impregnable chunk of rubber.

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, however, as the casing doesn’t seem to yield to anything you might reasonably ride over. It’s quite heavy, and consequently not the fastest, but it rolls well for its bulk and is a good choice for heavyweight touring or a hazardstrewn commute. The tread profile grips tarmac well but it’s skittish on loose surfaces, especially when pumped hard.