Tires with reflective sidewalls
 

I'm looking for some 700c tires with reflective sidewalls, to use while commuting this fall and winter.

Know they exist -- can't find them.

Any recommendations?

And are these tires good as tires go -- that is, decent ride, etc. -- or should they be avoided?

Schwalbe Marathon Plus has them. I put over 12,500 flat free miles on one set before I decided that they were getting thin enough to replace.

Paul

I run the Vittoria Randonneur Cross 700x35 on my Raleigh One-Way and the reflective sidewall is really bright at night. Runs fine in the rain too.

Michelin Trans World City
Schwalbe Big Apples
Schwalbe Marathons

^^^
All good tires, all have reflective sidewalls

Specialized has several, as does Schwable.

Schwalbe makes a wide range of tires, lots of them have reflective sidewalls. They tend to be very sturdy, puncture resistant and on the heavy side. There are two models of Schwalbe studded tires with reflective sidewalls if you want to commute through the winter. I've also seen Michelin and Vredestein tires with reflective sidewalls.

+1 - Love my Schwalbe Marathon Plus's for the commute bike.

Mine are Michelin Transworld City. Reflecterized tires are a great addition. I can't see how motorists can miss them.

Are talking about tires or rims?

My rims are reflective. Don't know about the tires though.

Here is is with a light shining on it.

[IMG]http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...h/CIMG2561.jpg[/IMG]

I'm running Schwalbe Marathons, but the Plus and XR also look like good options as well.

Nope, those are the sidewalls of your tires.
Your rims are black.

Panaracer CrossTowns - just bought some in 700 x 28, seem pretty good.

Continental Contacts

Not sure if they are in that size, but the michelin transworld city has them.

A quick guideline: European brands (Schwalbe, Conti, Michelin) tend to have reflective sidewalls on all their commmuter type tires, because they are required by law on commuter bikes in many European countries.
Duppie

+1 on the Schwalbes. I've got 700x35 Marathons and 700x35 Marathon Winter tires. Absolutely excellent tires.

The Michelin TransWorlds cost less than the Marathons but to me the Marathons have a much nicer feel and seem to have less rolling resistance.

Many thanks for the suggestions.

Gives me some brands to pin down.

FAIRMONT's picture gives you an idea of why I want reflective sidewalls. I have lights fore and aft, but I feel like I'm not so visible from the side.

This picture, and every other picture I've seen, shows that the reflective tires shout out "bicycle" to anything with a headlight coming from the side.

I posted this a few days ago on this forum. The pictures were made about a year ago, but they very clearly show the before and after. The pictures speak for themselves.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...9&postcount=22

It's hard to find non-reflective tyres over here (Netherlands); they're just not stocked by the bicycle shops.

For added side visibility, there's always reflective tape. This site has a good selection of colors and widths.

Also, a couple strobes mounted to the frame will add active lighting. Lightman makes some very good strobes, from what I've heard.

But for the ultimate in "pimping", you can't do better than a Down Low Glow. BAH has some very nice pics on his blog.

+1 on both the Vittoria Randonneurs and the Panaracer Crosstowns. I have the Vittorias on my 700c road bike, and the Panaracers on my converted MTB-commuter (26"). Very happy with both.

Michelin Trans World City
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...%20to%20700x28
Just put them on.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...eels/VandM.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...eflectipon.jpg

Nashbar $8.33 each, bought six tires
700 X 28's Was able to install them with Just My Hands.
A Very Tight Fit on The Felt F-80

Getting a pair of Shwalbe Marathon plus 700 x 25c. Anybody have experience with this model and size?

Vittoria Randoneur, 700x32 is what I got. I'd get them again.

Schwalbe marathon racer 35s on the flatbar roadie here...fast, comfy and reliable. I've a pair of 28s inbound for the SS, fine tyres :)

+1 Only about 3000 on 3 different sets, but I'm sure I'll do about 7500 per set. They're only expensive at first...best all-around commuter tire on the market. Like Ron Popeil says, 'Set 'em and forget 'em."

Yes, I've got one set on my 1x8 (48x28-12)roadie/commuter combo(53cm 85 C-Dale SR 300 w/bar-end shifting) and a set on my single speed(78 Fuji Del-Rey w/a 103 Sugino track bb, 46t RR, 16t Acera w/Schwinn FW rebuilt hub, Sun CR-18 rims). Don't have any trouble in group rides and the ss is silky smooth. My regular commuter is a 2008 Motobecane Fantom CX I retrofitted w/SMP 28mm. 'Cushey', but fast @ 110 PSI. I run the 25s @ 125...a little over, but they can take it. In rain they all are 'glued' to the pavement...I have a couple of 35+ decends w/tight curves and I lean the crap out of them. They're GREAT tires...can't say enough. Close your eyes, pull the trigger, you wont regret it. :thumb:

PS: you may want to get the Kool-Stop tire lever(11.00 @ bikeisland w/no shipping) as it makes the job WAY easier and you'll avoid pinch flats. Get 18-23mm tubes and use liquid soap(not too much) on the beads as that will help, too. You may cuss a time or 2 getting them on the 1st time(I know I did...:-)), but it's a small price, they're amazing tires.

Michelin Trans World city are bright, but also; I 've had great wear, considering the price..

I have a bike on order from Bicycle Bananas. I emailed them yesterday and asked if I could upgrade to the Marathon Plus. They said yes...and with a $10 credit for the Kendas (Jamis Commuter 3.0), the price is lower than what I could have gotten them for online. And that's INSTALLED!:)

I bought some Continental GP 4000s 700 x 25 tires with reflective sidewalls for $28 each from probikekit.com a few months ago, and they have been great. They reflect light great, ride nice and seem to be wearing well. I commute on a road bike over good roads, so these tires might not be the best choice if you need something heavy duty. But they are great if you ride a road bike and like to go fast or have a lot of hills (they're also light weight).

biketiresdirect.com is a good place to get started. they have many of the models previously recommended.