The invention relates to a tire having at least one component (e.g. tread)
of a rubber composition comprised of a composite of styrene/butadiene
elastomer and functionalized styrene/butadiene elastomer containing an
internal silanol and/or siloxy group therein with pendent silanol and/or
alkoxy groups of a polymodal (e.g. bimodal) molecular weight distribution
and a dispersion therein of silica aggregates of which a portion thereof
contain a plurality of hydroxyl groups on their surface in a form of
geminal hydroxyl groups. In one aspect, said silica aggregates may be
pre-treated to reduce said hydroxyl groups on their surface prior to
blending with said silanol and/or siloxy functionalized elastomer.