Topic: Michelin rolls out Airless, Puncture proof Tire

[warp]

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27728995/michelin-airless-tire-uptis/

Michelin's new Unique Puncture-Proof Tire System (Uptis) does away with one of the defining aspects of tires as we've known them for more than 100 years: the air inside. Unlike past attempts at airless tires, Uptis functions the way other modern tires do and, Michelin claims, will provide a similar driving experience.

Unveiled at the company's sustainable-mobility-focused Movin'On Summit in Montreal today, Uptis is a tire without a traditional sidewall that carries its load by the top thanks to a new resin-embedded fiberglass material that Michelin was granted over 50 patents for........

[ktm525]

Michelin has been playing around with this for a long time. If it works it will be game set and match for Michelin.

FWIW I use the airless Bib Mouse inserts on my motorcycle. A very primitive airless system but rock solid in what it does.

[dirtyjeffer]

Michelin has been playing around with this for a long time. If it works it will be game set and match for Michelin.

agreed...and aside from punctures, it means that the tires are always "perfectly inflated", which maximizes fuel efficiency (and safety). 

[blur911]

https://tiresandparts.net/news/tires/goodyear-debut-airless-tyre-2018/

https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/tire-talk/airless-concept-tires

https://www.japanrubberweekly.com/2017/10/sumitomo-rubber-displays-airless-tires-tokyo-motor-show/

https://inhabitat.com/earth-friendly-airless-tires-by-hankook-should-be-on-the-market-very-very-soon/

Every company has been coming out with them for years, haven't seen any since the moon buggy though.

[Jaeger]

"Could be available as early as 2024...."  so, not nearly ready for prime time.

[Railton]

Michelin has been playing around with this for a long time. If it works it will be game set and match for Michelin.

FWIW I use the airless Bib Mouse inserts on my motorcycle. A very primitive airless system but rock solid in what it does.

Not for the snow and mud crowd though. Can you imagine the balance issues?
Railton

[ktm525]

Michelin has been playing around with this for a long time. If it works it will be game set and match for Michelin.

FWIW I use the airless Bib Mouse inserts on my motorcycle. A very primitive airless system but rock solid in what it does.

Not for the snow and mud crowd though. Can you imagine the balance issues?
Railton

Why? Oh the exposed "spokes" I always assumed those would be covered in production models. Yeah if not then it would be a problem.

[dkaz]

The bib mousse is not to be used on road in any circumstances it says. Too bad. I avoided getting a tube tire motorcycle for the inability to just plug a flat and go, this could’ve solved that.

[ktm525]

Bibs don't last all that long is the problem. Excessive constant high speed can make them heat up too . I have found I can get 20-30 hours of hard riding on one before they break down. If you relube them and take care you can double this figure. Not having to deal with a flat in searing heat in Baja? Priceless.

Most of the time Bridgestone UHD tubes work fine (although pricey at $30 USD). I have had bad experiences with the tubeless systems offered for spoked wheels. In theory they are great as you can fix a flat on the trail with a tire plug.

[redmont]

With this kind of tire, there's a way now to beat the police spike strips on the road.

[dirtyjeffer]

With this kind of tire, there's a way now to beat the police spike strips on the road.

there always has been...don't break the law.

[Brig]

With this kind of tire, there's a way now to beat the police spike strips on the road.

Thank god!  I was tired of having to buy new tires every time I tried to evade the police.  So annoying.

[HeliDriver]

Not quite the same thing, but looks like this is already on the market. Some neat video of it in action.

https://www.deere.ca/en/landscaping-grounds-care/tweel/

[tortoise]

With this kind of tire, there's a way now to beat the police spike strips on the road.

there always has been...don't break the law.

You must be a ton of fun at parties.

[Railton]

Like to see it with a Mud and Snow rating!
Railton

[dirtyjeffer]

With this kind of tire, there's a way now to beat the police spike strips on the road.

there always has been...don't break the law.

You must be a ton of fun at parties.

don't know, never get invited to them.     

[Brig]

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

With this kind of tire, there's a way now to beat the police spike strips on the road.

there always has been...don't break the law.

You must be a ton of fun at parties.

don't know, never get invited to them.