Finding Wilderness

I got a flat this morning on a vaunted Specialized Armadillo tire.  It was a typical winter flat – a large piece of glass stuck to the tire that gradually worked its way in.  Still no flats this winter on the much cheaper Michelin Erilium 2 on the front wheel.  I’ve been comparing the Armadillos against the Eriliums this winter.  The Armadillos are tougher, but the well-kept secret of the Erilium is the microbead tread on the surface of the tire that hits the road.  This seems to prevent the glass from sticking, which is the key, especially on wet roads.  I wonder if Michelin even knows this.  This is my third season with the Michelin Eriliums.  I hope they keep making them.  I hope the other tire companies start considering the surface of the tire with this function in mind.  The flat sticky tire that is perfect for racing in the summer is the worst thing for commuting in the winter.