Durable but FAST rolling road bike tires?

[jpbayarea]

I have some great wheels but here in San Diego area the bike lanes are full of thorns, debris and such and I keep flatting I want a new tire and am
considering the Armadillos which I hear are almost unflattable but wonder if
anyone rides on them and finds they roll well or not. I am spoiled with very sweet rolling tires but getting fed up with flats. I'd appreciate any ideas from you roadies out there.

Thanks, Jpbayarea

[velogirl]

I'm a big Kenda fan. I've been riding the Calientes for the past three years (winter and summer) and I can count the number of flats I've had on one hand. I'm a big girl, but I get about 3,000 miles out of them too! I'm sure I've jinxed myself now by saying that.....

[salsabike]

I've used both Specialized Armadillos and Continental Gatorskins and they're both great---slick but strong.

[Aggie_Ama]

DH put a pair of Gatorskins on my bike in October because I was flatting all the time. I refused to ride by myself because I flatted so much. The area around us has a lot of construction debris and trash. At the risk of jinxing myself I have not flatted on the road since getting the Gatorskins. I have had one or two slow leaks that went flat overnight.

I recently replaced the front tire because the sidewall had a bulge. They probably aren't the fastest tires, but then again they are faster than zero mph to change a flat. Honestly my old tires were nothing special (just factory on a entry level bike) so I couldn't tell a change.

The guys at the LBS back in College Station swore by Armadillos for training. The girls (I love it here- women in the shop) at the LBS in Austin said many of them use the Gatorskins for training.

[bcipam]

A definite fan of Gatorskins. I used to ride with Continental 3000's (23) but switched to Gator 25's and now am almost flat free. The tires are easy to change as well. Comment I've heard about the Armadillos is that they are difficult to get on and off (they just aren't all that flexible). I don't think there is most difference in the road feel and roll between the 3000's which are "fast" tires, and the Gators. Nice price break as well as the 3000's run around $50 and the Gators around $35 - 40.

[Bella]

I also switched to Gatorskins and they (knock on wood) appear to be every ounce durable as they claim.

I also put about 1500+ miles on Michelin Carbons without fail - just typical wear. I went with the Gatorskins to try something new.