New Airless Michelin Tire Design

[Randall53]

I did a search and didn't get a hit on this soooo:

 

http://www.shadetreemechanic.com/michelin_new_tire_design.htm

 

I think it's about FREAK'N time!!!!!!  LOL

[Spots]

They've been showing and discussing that design for years. It was orginally developed for military apllications

[Randall53]

I'm way behind....I guess.  An article I read said they should be available sometime this summer.  Made in USA.....the Carolina's I believe.

[Murgatroy]

Do something about that sidewall, and I might be in.

 

To me it looks too much like a set of 26" wheels that belong on a $300 `76 Impala with Cookie Monster painted on it.

 

I like the technology and the idea though.

[TrickyNicky]

I do seem to remember swing these a few years back in regards to possible military applications. Glad to see them on the civilian market, depending on what kind of mileage they get I'd consider some next time I need new tires.

[hipower]

I'd be more concerned about the ride.  Solid rubber(?) on oversize rims?

 

Far from being a tire engineer, but that doesn't sound like a soft ride to me. Yeah, Yeah, I know. Shocks should cushion it.

 

Still skeptical.

 

 Need to know more about it before getting real excited. 

[TrickyNicky]

I think they actually have quite a bit of give. The show I saw I remember them driving up curbs, over parking lot concrete block things(what the heck are those even called?) and through ditches and potholes. Edited February 16, 2013 by TrickyNicky

[Sam1]

They've been showing and discussing that design for years. It was orginally developed for military apllications

 

This specific one has been around since about 2004 

 

They were called tweels if i recall correctly

Edited February 16, 2013 by Sam1

[bowtieguy]

If you look at the pictures, you can see that all of the supporting ribs deform in the same way. Makes me thing that the ribs would have a memory over time and fatigue in their compressed state leading to an out of round situation. Maybe a solution to a problem that doesnt exist. Most modern tires are amazingly good at resisting puncture and maintaining traction. Speaking of traction, with a stiffer structure (needed to support the weight) I would think traction would be compromised. I'm no tire engineer and the guy at michelin get payed alot to do things like this, but I don't see much coming of it.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Yeh, dream on if you can afford those critters. I refuse to use those runflat pieces of junk, as it is. I'll

bet you those airless miracles cost over a grand each. My last set of 18 inch Michelins were 255 each.

I'll stay with them, for a while longer.

[Mike.357]

i bet they would work great on a golf cart.  You might be surprised at the number of flat tires golf carts encounter.

[Randall53]

I think ya'll are right....I'll keep running the old timey Michelins.....They seem to do fine as long as I run the 80% Nitrogen in them.....

[Mike.357]

I think ya'll are right....I'll keep running the old timey Michelins.....They seem to do fine as long as I run the 80% Nitrogen in them.....

 

Nitrogen is good stuff in tires. Especially if you can't keep up with checking and inflating the fleet.  I fire up the compressor once a month.

[Lumber_Jack]

It's a great idea if ride comfort and cost could be made affordable. As someone who drives off road a lot, flat tires are always my biggest enemy. Most people don't get enough flats in the life of a tire to justify a new design.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I've not tried nitrogen, Mike. I have been lucky enough to not have to put any air in my current rides, though. I

hear good things about nitrogen just never had the experience.

 

I do remember changing golf cart tires at the country club, when I was a teenager. :D

[Dustbuster]

When AM General punched out the first hummers they had tires that would work w no air/aka run flat.It was a rough ass ride, w poor handling.the rims couldnt handle prolonged driving but it would work on a fast exfil from a bad area......very expensive option that never flew well....