I looked at the Gator line also and read similar reviews about the ride feel. Maybe I should reevaluate the importance of the reflective stripe? Kenda definitely makes good tires, I have them on other bikes and never had a problem, but those are recreational bikes with low mileage. In fact, I considered that if I go back to Louisiana to continue the ride, I may take the Trek Multitrak with the 38mm Kendas to offer more cushion from those broken roads!