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Lightweight REFLECTIVE Tire for ALL TERRAIN

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Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) This has to be the most physically intense sport ever invented. It's high speed bicycle racing on a short off road course or riding the off pavement rides on gravel like : "Unbound Gravel". We also have a dedicated Racing forum for the Cyclocross Hard Core Racers.

Lightweight REFLECTIVE Tire for ALL TERRAIN

Old 12-06-18, 06:11 PM
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michaelm101
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Lightweight REFLECTIVE Tire for ALL TERRAIN

It seems the majority of the reflective tires out there are of the commuting/touring variety. They tend to be heavier overall with heavier sidewalls. I'm seeking a gravel / all terrain oriented tire (700x35-42mm) that's lightweight, but due to my penchant for riding after sundown, I require reflectivity (according to research, those two big round circles immediately indicate "BIKE!!!" to onlookers). The reflective stickers / tape that one could apply to rims come out imperfect (due to human error), according to the manufacturer, so I want to avoid that route... By the way, I use one to three 750 lumen head lamps (one with a nifty/effective amber sidelight), and two or more HotShots in the rear, so I'm not entirely depending on reflectivity. I also use Mr. Tuffy in ALL my tires. Thanks in advance!

Last edited by michaelm101; 12-06-18 at 06:44 PM.
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Old 12-06-18, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by michaelm101
It seems the majority of the reflective tires out there are of the commuting/touring variety. They tend to be heavier overall with heavier sidewalls. I'm seeking a gravel / all terrain oriented tire that's lightweight, but due to my penchant for riding after sundown, I require reflectivity (according to research, those two big round circles immediately indicate "BIKE!!!" to onlookers). The reflective stickers / tape that one could apply to rims come out imperfect (due to human error), according to the manufacturer, so I want to avoid that route... By the way, I use one to three 750 lumen head lamps (one with a nifty/effective amber sidelight), and two or more HotShots in the rear, so I'm not entirely depending on reflectivity. I also use Mr. Tuffy in ALL my tires. Thanks in advance!
Check out Schwalbe Smart Sam's. Not exactly the lightest though, but not heavy either. Comes in black and reflective depending on the size.
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Old 12-07-18, 12:32 AM
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Maybe you can reflector sticker your rims, then that opens a whole world of tire choices?
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Old 12-07-18, 01:55 AM
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Maybe Michelin Proteks? I have a pair that I use for commuting. They have a bit of tread, certainly sufficient for gravel roads. The website there says that they weigh 630 grams, by way of comparison to whatever else you find.
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Old 12-08-18, 08:20 AM
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Schwalbe Marathon Tour. Tuff tire with reflective strips
https://www.schwalbetires.com/node/396
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Old 12-08-18, 10:06 AM
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I use Vittoria Voyager Hyper: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIVO...r-folding-tyre
Their "35 mm" size is actually ETRTO 37-622, on my 23 mm width (internal) rims these tires are 39 mm wide.
Not for mud but otherwise work good as a universal all terrain tire.
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Old 12-11-18, 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Metieval
Maybe you can reflector sticker your rims, then that opens a whole world of tire choices?
I did consider this. The reflective stickers / tape that one could apply to rims come out imperfect (due to human error), according to the manufacturer, so I want to avoid that route altogether...Thx.
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Old 12-11-18, 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by bwilli88
Schwalbe Marathon Tour. Tuff tire with reflective strips
https://www.schwalbetires.com/node/396
I own a set of these in 700x37 and they are a pain to mount, also HEAVY!
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Old 12-11-18, 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Oso Polar
I use Vittoria Voyager Hyper: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIVO...r-folding-tyre
Their "35 mm" size is actually ETRTO 37-622, on my 23 mm width (internal) rims these tires are 39 mm wide.
Not for mud but otherwise work good as a universal all terrain tire.
Thx. These appear to be very "slicky," and not much different than the 25mm GP4000s I have mounted on my road wheelset.
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Old 01-04-19, 03:21 PM
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Id recommend the Michelin Protek Cross. I run it in 700x32 and seems to be a good all around tire and has an ample reflective strip.
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Old 01-04-19, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by michaelm101
I did consider this. The reflective stickers / tape that one could apply to rims come out imperfect (due to human error), according to the manufacturer, so I want to avoid that route altogether...Thx.
It’s not like you’re going to be looking at them while you’re riding.
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Old 01-04-19, 04:05 PM
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Put 3M or Oralite conspicuity tape on the wheels and use whatever tire you want.

https://www.hhsignsupply.com/product...Vinyl-c686.htm

It's a gravel bike, going to get banged up and scratched to hell anyway. This is black Oralite on my gravel bike.





-Tim-

Last edited by TimothyH; 01-04-19 at 04:22 PM.
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Old 01-04-19, 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by michaelm101
I did consider this. The reflective stickers / tape that one could apply to rims come out imperfect (due to human error), according to the manufacturer, so I want to avoid that route altogether...Thx.
How do they come out imperfect? And does the reflector circle need to be "perfect" for someone not to hit you with their car?
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Old 01-04-19, 05:01 PM
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+1 for reflective tape. I have flat,black spokes and used 3M black reflective tape on a few spokes.
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Old 01-04-19, 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Hmmm
How do they come out imperfect? And does the reflector circle need to be "perfect" for someone not to hit you with their car?
The manufacturer stated this, and I could understand why. Placing a long skinny decal perfectly around the edges of the rim is prone to error. Perhaps, I don't want to be riding around looking lop-sided LOL. I'm gonna try placing a few equally placed strips of reflective tape on the wheel and give the wheel a spin...
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Old 01-04-19, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Secret Squirrel
+1 for reflective tape. I have flat,black spokes and used 3M black reflective tape on a few spokes.
one spoke example.
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Old 01-04-19, 09:42 PM
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I took a roll of 1/2" 3M Scotchlite Retroreflective tape, and punched out dots with an EK Tools 3/8" circle punch. Four on the valve side of the rim, 8 on the opposite side, both sides of the wheel. They are extremely bright when hit with a flashlight or headlight, but invisible during the day.
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Old 01-04-19, 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by TimothyH
Put 3M or Oralite conspicuity tape on the wheels and use whatever tire you want.

https://www.hhsignsupply.com/product...Vinyl-c686.htm

It's a gravel bike, going to get banged up and scratched to hell anyway. This is black Oralite on my gravel bike.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9cWPe71n_w


-Tim-
I so love that broken up look, rather than a complete 360 reflector strip on rim or tire!
thanks for sharing!

Thoughts on 4 vs 3 spots? Asking because the wheels i am looking at have 3 labels, so 3 reflector tapes would be convenient
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Old 01-04-19, 10:50 PM
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You can do as many spots as you'd like. I did 12 dots per side just because I got tired of punching out and sticking on dots after doing 4 dozen of them.
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Old 01-05-19, 07:54 AM
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I use a few pieces of reflective tape on my wheels like others have suggested. Two roughly one inch pieces in my case.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUDQQ0H

It has lasted years on my wheels, helmet, frame, etc.. It is thin and flexible and conforms to tighter bends and curves than the 3M version which has a little more of a sturdy plastic structure to it .

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Old 01-05-19, 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Metieval
I so love that broken up look, rather than a complete 360 reflector strip on rim or tire!
thanks for sharing!

Thoughts on 4 vs 3 spots? Asking because the wheels i am looking at have 3 labels, so 3 reflector tapes would be convenient
Either 3 or 4 would work. Honestly, I taped right over the logos and didn't look back.

I have a roll of the stuff and can send you more than enough to do a wheelset, maybe two. PM your address if you want it and I'll get something in the mail next week.


-Tim-
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Old 01-06-19, 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by TimothyH
Either 3 or 4 would work. Honestly, I taped right over the logos and didn't look back.

I have a roll of the stuff and can send you more than enough to do a wheelset, maybe two. PM your address if you want it and I'll get something in the mail next week.


-Tim-
Thanks man, but I was thinking the next bike, which I don't have right now.
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Old 01-08-19, 12:09 AM
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Schwalbe Marathon Cross ... I like them, not to hard to mount. Grippy and very reflective

Marathon Cross
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