Coloured tyres

[cbi]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum and the whole folding bike community (although I have some friends who have a few folding bikes), I wanted to know if coloured tyres are made in 16in sizes? I only ask because I have had a look on the internet and have been somewhat unsuccessful. I'm about to buy my first folding bike, and it's between a Downtube, Brompton or a Dahon. I am still trying to get my head around it all...

thank you for reading, and if you have any suggestions or could lead me in the right direction, it would be most appreciated!


P.S. I love this forum!

[LittlePixel]

From the off - there are two popular sizes both called '16 inch' that aren't the same size; Bromptons use the ISO 349 size and Dahon minis and Downtubes use the smaller ISO 305; I don't know much about the 305 size - it's not one I've used - but I have a fair bit of knowledge about 349s these days and am sad to report that there isn't much scope in the field of colourful rubber. I guess it's too niche.

Even in the more popular ISO 406 size (20") there are only a couple of coloured tyres that I know of - the white striped Schwalbe Kojak and the Mango striped Stelvio made primarily for the Dahon Speed-Pro bike.

Back to 349s though - The options are basically Black, or Black with a cream sidewall. (Primo Racers, Comets and Champs).There are some tyres in this size for wheelchairs so you might find some Grey tyres made by Cheng Shin (Primo's parent company) that would fit, but these are likely 'non-marking for indoor use' things for use in Gyms and Basketball courts and not really appropriate for bike use.

More info here:
http://mnhpva.org/tires/349.html

[cbi]

Thanks for your reply, I suppose if I really wanted them then, I'd have to go through the custom route...