OzSTOC
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Whizz on January 23, 2013, 10:10:24 PM
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These have been under test in the US Military for some years now and they work just fine. No need for spare tyres, tools, air compressors, repair kits etc etc.
Watch and be amazed, this is not a joke it is for real! They had some examples at the recent Philadelphia Car Show.
no more Flat Tire!!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pja6vKnEV4E#)
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Think they may squirm a tad at 120ks thru the twisties... :eek :eek :eek
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Think they may squirm a tad at 120ks thru the twisties... :eek :eek :eek
That's "where the rubber meets the road", so to speak.
Bike tyres are specifically designed to be effective when the bike leans- that's the design shape of the profile. It may be possible to get these "honeycomb" tyres to suit that profile, but there's a lot of flexing action going on with bike tyres. That's why the pressure is critical- too soft and they flex (squish) too much; too hard and the don't flex enough to give optimum grip. :eek
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That's a really interesting concept, which on face value looks pretty good. However, for 4WD applications there's no way to change tyre "pressures" to improve ride on rough terrain, lengthen the footprint for better performance in sand or allow for changing loads. When driving in mud, I imagine that the cells would collect vast amounts of mud and make a drastic change to wheel balance. Nevertheless, it looks like a good idea, and I may be talking out of my :butt I would not like to be the first person to try it on a motorcycle.
Pete
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Maybe not so far off........ok this is pedal powered but not to far removed from us........
Airless Bicycle Tires
https://youtu.be/v9SWIsY8rzQ
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Excellent for bicycles. The name "energy return wheel" suggests it offers less rolling friction than conventional tyres.
We should never underestimate inventiveness nor material technological advances, but I still think m/c tyres present extra challenges that will take a while longer to solve.
One downside for manufacturers is they will sell fewer tyres because quite a lot of tyres don't make their full wear life due to punctures or wall/case failure.
Also, if they last longer, we'll all be buying fewer. I'll be like the (urban legends?) that razorblade manufacturers can make blades that virtually never lose their edge, or petrol companies put the brakes on fuel efficient vehicle development.
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Hmmmm.
Thinks the sidewall technology would need to be good to handle 100HP at full twist from the lights, and Max braking effort at the next lights. (Not to mention handling the condition of NSW roads....)
Not that we would ever ride like that.
o:) o:)