New Michelin "Tweel"

MadMonk · 08-07-2006, 01:55 PM

This is pretty cool. An airless tire - no more flats!
Video available here: http://www.freshcreation.nl/comments.php?id=277_0_1_0_C

**Yodachaos** · 08-09-2006, 01:18 AM

looks very nice

**Easy180** · 08-09-2006, 10:15 AM

I'll take the car as well

**metro** · 08-09-2006, 12:06 PM

That's pretty wicked looking. You can see right through the tire. I wonder how much they are selling for? Also, I wonder how they perform and how MPG is affected?

I bet they are a pain to clean with the potential of dirt, mud and debris getting in between all the spaces. Also, since the wheel or rim is part of the tire or should I say "TWEEL" (Tire & Wheel), do you have to replace both (could be costly) when the tread wears out?

**windowphobe** · 08-09-2006, 07:24 PM

They showed a promotional video some months back in which, to demonstrate its strength, they drove over a land mine.

It's a single unit, though Michelin says the tread will outlast two ordinary tires and that the wheel section can be, um, retreaded.

MadMonk · 08-09-2006, 11:49 PM

Yeah, it seems like it would put a damper on the custom wheel industry.

These are still in an R&D phase right now. They won't be available for high-speed applications (cars) for a few years yet.