Michelin See Through Tires

[MikeD]

Got this in an email; no link included, so no way to verify authenticity. I've posted the text of the email below, along with pics.

Looks pretty cool!


Radical new tire design by Michelin. The next generation of tires. They had a pair at the Philadelphia car show.

These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market very soon. The bad news for law enforcement is that spike strips will not work on these tires. This is what great R&D will do, and just think of the impact on existing technology:

A. No more air valves
B. No more air compressors at gas stations
C. No more repair kits

These are actual pictures taken in the South Carolina plant of Michelin. It will be awhile before they are available to the automotive industry.



http://www.raymondkwan.com/uploader2/files/831/Tire01.jpg

http://www.raymondkwan.com/uploader2/files/831/Tire02.jpg

http://www.raymondkwan.com/uploader2/files/831/Tire03.jpg

http://www.raymondkwan.com/uploader2/files/831/Tire04.jpg

http://www.raymondkwan.com/uploader2/files/831/Tire05.jpg

http://www.raymondkwan.com/uploader2/files/831/Tire06.jpg

[InfiniteNothing]

I think I've seen those on HowStuffWorks

[mcs328]

I've seen this before on PopSci. It's a great invention. I wonder how it will handle snow and ice in the winter? I mean it would get all caught up in the spaces and can you imagine all the crunching?

[Cubsfan]

I think they look kinda weird. I wouldn't be surprised if they put a thin piece of rubber over the side so they weren't totally open.

[mechmike0034]

Got this in an email; no link included, so no way to verify authenticity. I've posted the text of the email below, along with pics.

Two-year-old NAIAS Press Release: http://www.michelinman.com/difference/releases/pressrelease01102005a.html

Video here: http://www.freshcreation.nl/comments.php?id=277_0_1_0_C


I think they look kinda weird. I wouldn't be surprised if they put a thin piece of rubber over the side so they weren't totally open.

They're open for airflow - the flexing of the "spokes" creates heat which in turn can weaken the tire over time.

[johnnymk]

They are waybeyondugly.com

[Cubsfan]

Two-year-old NAIAS Press Release: http://www.michelinman.com/difference/releases/pressrelease01102005a.html

Video here: http://www.freshcreation.nl/comments.php?id=277_0_1_0_C



They're open for airflow - the flexing of the "spokes" creates heat which in turn can weaken the tire over time.

Ok, maybe black mesh then :D Although I do think mcs had a good point about the snow/ice.

[MikeD]

Two-year-old NAIAS Press Release: http://www.michelinman.com/difference/releases/pressrelease01102005a.html

Video here: http://www.freshcreation.nl/comments.php?id=277_0_1_0_C

They're open for airflow - the flexing of the "spokes" creates heat which in turn can weaken the tire over time.

Nice find MM.

I like how they look. If they can hold up to stress (heat), I'd put them on my ride.

[MrGreg]

I think they look pretty cool. It wouldn't surprise me if the first adopters are the people who currently have 22" spinners.

I also like the idea of eliminating flat tires, and not worrying about being over/under inflated.

[mcs328]

Oh and vandals can't lurk in the night and stab holes in the sidewall making you late for work and to vote in the next presidential election. This has happened to me so that's a nice bonus.

I can see people stuffing trash in it though

[thresher]

those are beyond the ugliest thing I have ever seen. i wouldn't buy simply on principle of aesthetics. :vomit:

[renovation]

They are going to be sold in the US in the next 12 months I heard. They are odd looking and I can see people running them to the point-they are just riding on the spokes. Also think you only find them on passenger cars. On pickups the extra load we add (over GVW) would just flatten the units.
I also might add I think there going to put chrome on the spokes.

Hell the ricers will eat them up!

[johnnymk]

Betcha Boyd Coddington, Chip Foose or anyone with a sense of style wouldn't be caught dead with them on their rides!

[Airencracken]

I thought they were called "Tweel"

[ufcrusher]

Betcha Boyd Coddington, Chip Foose or anyone with a sense of style wouldn't be caught dead with them on their rides!

Dude - you didnt just put Boyd and Chip in the same sentence! I will give you five days before you get contacted.

On another note....dayuuuummmm those tires are fugly.

[johnnymk]

Dude - you didnt just put Boyd and Chip in the same sentence! I will give you five days before you get contacted.

Maybe this should be started in another thread, but what is the problem between those two?

[Markel]

I wonder how it will handle snow and ice in the winter? I mean it would get all caught up in the spaces and can you imagine all the crunching?
The crunching would be the least of the problems - think about the balance!

[ShawnLee]

Dude, I've been looking forward to the Tweel since I first heard of it. If, when I buy a new car, it's an option, I'll totally go for it. Ugly? Some might think so, but I tend to believe that beauty is found in effective function.

[Napoleon54]

I think the public will jump on these as long as they're innovative and more expensive than the current conventional offerings.

[MikeD]

If, when I buy a new car, it's an option, I'll totally go for it.

:stupid:

Beauty is in the eye...you know the deal. I think they look great. I'd definitely have them on my car, though I think they would only look good on some cars...not all.

Like 2Pac said...picture me rollin'! :hihi:

[gaemul]

You must wear through them really quickly. So I guess you can never get a flat with these?

[Thesifer]

You must wear through them really quickly. So I guess you can never get a flat with these?


Wear through them? You could theoretically have the same amount of tread on these as you would a regular tire.

[MrGreg]

From the pictures I can't figure out how the tire mounts to the wheel.

[redcolours]

I think the public will jump on these as long as they're innovative and more expensive than the current conventional offerings.


steve jobs will have a hand in it then.

[MikeD]

steve jobs will have a hand in it then.

:heh:

[ray]

What if someone finds a way to cut the spokes?

[Airencracken]

What if someone finds a way to cut the spokes?

What if someone found a way to let the air out of your ti... oh wait...

[mcs328]

What if someone found a way to let the air out of your ti... oh wait...

Exactly why I would go for the new tires. It's easy to stab the tire then take the time and saw through just one of the spokes. If I were a vandal or wanted to give someone a hard time, I just put a bicycle chain and look it through the spokes.

[Houdini]

I kinda like the idea, but yeah, people would have to be much more careful in checking their tread. And the tires would have to be perfectly matched to the weight of the car, etc., as well as being lighweight (unsprung) to maintain fuel economy.

[Maarchk]

hmm i'd rock them... maybe if they were all red or something oooh. :)

but i just bought a set at COSTCO cause they had a big sale this weekend and i got a set for my rsx. and all it cost me was a night of hard gambling to pay for it. most excellent.

But hopefully in 2-3 years when i need new tires, they'll be out and i'll give them a spin...

[Chgoman]

The concept and design of the tires was mostly put together by the creator of BOSE speakers. I read an article on him and some of his other inventions (including these) a few years ago.

[Houdini]

The concept and design of the tires was mostly put together by the creator of BOSE speakers. I read an article on him and some of his other inventions (including these) a few years ago.

So the road noise will lack good treble and bass? ;)

I can see it now...you don't carry a spare tire, you carry a spare automass module.