If you don't like the way runflats work and feel, just imagine trying to adapt to these things. Bridgestone Airless Tire: Puncture-Proof Tech On The Way (allcartech.com)
Michelin calls it Tweel [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcdmH_hVWBY]Michelin's Revolutionary Airless Tires - YouTube[/ame]
Would be cool if they could be "stiffened" for autocrossing applications. Not sure how that will work...
Yes, Michelin developed this idea many years ago and thought it was going to be the future of car tyres. Didn't happen, so this Bridgestone version may be, ahem, marketing material.
Tweel, that's it. It's been so long since I saw anything about Michelin's version I forgot what they called it. That name points out an aspect many miss, the tire and wheel are a unit.
Can you imagine the balance issues if those were used in the snow on a car? Seems like a decent tire for a bobcat, but not for my MINI.
Yup, I'm thinking low-speed applications are best unless they can figure out a way to keep out snow, gravel, etc.
Yeah but..... then you could get one of these JCW upgrade kits...... [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDafMzo4HO8&feature=related]Turbospoke - The Bicycle Exhaust System - YouTube[/ame]
That is sooo cool. I want 2 for my MINI. JCW FTW!!! Simply craptastic!!! We could mod the sound cards & get an Aston V12 roarrrrrr... Let's do a group buy. Can we have a turbospoke garage day at the shop Chuck? Please!
It has been my experience with things made of rubber & plastic that they get harder or maybe more brittle as time goes by. That is an interesting thought. Once those ribs start breaking those tweel things may become useless.
Just picture this...hit a pothole... rather than a blowout, and stopping on the side on a metal rim, you end up shattering the plastic wheel/rim combo...and skid to a stop on the rotor/hub.... i guess by then we will have all regenitive braking, and electroic or fuel cell powered cars...but when this concept becomes ma)instreem, cars as a hobby will be truely dead...no different rims (ok styled sidewalls)....cars will truely be like a basic appliance...like a toaster(prius on stroids).