LITReflex Ultra-Reflective Tire(Return to Product Page)

I'm a diehard Gatorskin fan when it comes to my daily commuting bike. But my wife saw these when we were in the shop a couple months ago and thought the reflective sidewall was a good idea. I ride about 17 miles each way to the office and sometimes don't make it home before it gets dark. I was pretty skeptical about buying an unknown brand, but didn't want to argue with my sweetheart, so..

Well, I have to say I'm impressed. I've now got about 1500 miles on them and have had one flat after running over some serious glass (similar experience with Gatorskins). The traction and handling is great. They feel supple and responsive. Frankly, I don't care that much about the reflective stripe (although it does look pretty cool). What matters to me most is performance and durability and these tires do very well - at least as well as the Gatorskins in my experience. Even after 1500 miles, they appear to have plenty of wear left.

I've since recommended them to my buddies and when these wear out I'm buying another pair.

The tire actually measures closer to a 25 than a 28 which works will on most road bikes since 28 is a bit large for standard brake calipers. The ride is fairly supple which you'd expect from a 127 tpi tire. The rubber compound seems just about right, providing decent traction even in the wet, while still holding up to winter riding conditions. So far, I can't find anything to complain about. Even the reflective sidewall looks pretty slick with the LIT logos. Riding after dark, the tire really lights up giving me a lot more confidence that I'll be seen. My lights do a good job front and back, but from the side the reflective sidewalls really make a difference. I'm impressed.

Holds up to street grime well.

If you're not going to let the winter stop you from commuting to work, these might be the tires from you. Having the extra reflectivity gives you the vote of confidence you need to stay in the saddle during the early morning rides and the evening commute that doesn't end until the sun has gone down again. I've found these to be a great balance of low-price, durability, and low weight.

I mounted these on my ti road bike for fitness riding early in the morning, before the sun rises. The reflective sidewalls REALLY catch light and are very noticeable. The tires give a comfortable ride, and the slghtly wider width, as compared to my normal 23c tires, adds to the comfort and does not prevent me from being ok on hard group rides at greater pace. All in all, a good tire.

I like it so much that I bought another pair. I rode 3x a week at night and these tires helps other motorists to see me. Good rubber, good reflective tire.

After putting some miles on the tire, I think it's a decent tire. Not very heavy, rolls good, and is a breeze to install. The only exception was the big sidewall looked like a white wall tire on my dark bike. I guess the price you pay for safety.

Pick these up for the reflectivity. I didn't believe the package when I read no tools needed but it's for REAL. Easy to put on and easy to pull off, no levers needed. This is a big plus in my book as some tires are a PITA to change.

Downfall is that traction isn't the tires strongsuit. Slippery when raining and wet, way better now that it's summer.

After riding these tires for the past couple months or so I have been left wanting more. I installed these tires on my commuter replacing my Vittoria Randoneurs. The second day on them riding home from work my rear tire went flat.. ok, a staple, that would happen to any tire. I replace the tube and continue along my merry way. With out going into too much detail I got four more flats in the next week, all caused by different offending objects (small wire from steel belt radial, glass, more glass... and another staple.. seriously Portland knock it off with stapling things to telephone poles, I can't afford that many tubes), and a new tube was used each time.

As far as the ride quality, I felt that these tires were hard (actual consistency of tread rubber) and didn't hold the road near as well as I would have liked (I nearly went down in a corner because the tire lost traction).

I do like the reflective stripe however, It is bright, visible from pretty much any angle and BRIGHT ( yes I know I said that twice, but it is really bright.)