Smart Tires: Tyres From Space Coming Your Way Soon?

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At an unassuming looking booth at Sea Otter there was some mega science going down. You’ll have to take my word for it, but the hollow rod of this Nitinol could be bent – and it would instantly get warm on the bend – and then it would return to straight again, whereupon it would instantly cool. Bonkers. Like seeing a magic trick. But there’s more to it than novelty heat generation – Smart Tires…

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Author Profile Picture
Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Smart Tires: Tyres From Space Coming Your Way Soon?
  • garou84
    Full Member

    This is very interesting!

    Posted 3 months ago
    3
    LAT
    Full Member

    this is interesting. Was there any word on rim protection?

    I’ve enjoyed your coverage of sea otter. Thanks for bringing us your own take.

    Posted 3 months ago
    stwhannah
    Full Member

    @LAT nothing about rim protection, but I guess if you get your base psi right it shouldn’t be an issue? TBH I can’t see it making the MTB race circuit where small psi adjustments are needed, but perhaps for hire fleets or cargo bikes where it’s just important to not have a flat it could be really useful?

    Glad you enjoyed my ramblings!

    Posted 2 months ago
    2
    sirromj
    Full Member

    Doubt this well ever be a common thing. Massively complex manufacturing process for how much gain?

    Posted 2 months ago
    1
    tthew
    Full Member

    Soon? Really? I’ve been seeing articles about these for years. Here you go, 2021 without trying. I’m not holding my breath.

    https://www.bicycling.com/news/a35980528/smart-tire-company-airless-alloy-tires/

    Posted 2 months ago
    pmurden
    Full Member

    Mind blown. I hope this develops enough to see to see if tyres a really feasible.

    Posted 2 months ago
    andydt82
    Full Member

    Here’s a video on the space version! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSNtifE0Z2Q

    Posted 2 months ago
    oily76
    Full Member

    So it’s hollow but with no air pressure inside. Would it be at risk of getting punctured and slowly filling up with water?

    Posted 2 months ago
    ossify
    Full Member

    Just seen this now, love this kind of tech & innovation, looks great but a few questions:

     

    Firstly: How much? They might last forever but I’ll put up with tubes/sealant if they’re £500 each. All bicycles, scooters, cars, eh… hope the price of titanium comes down soon.

     

    They heat and cool when bent – will that deteriorate the tyre material? It’ll happen a lot and fast while a bike tyre’s rotating (much faster than on a Mars/moon rover, which go slowly in cold temperatures).

     

    Can the heating effect be harnessed for other applications? I assume not, but it would be interesting to look at.

     

    He never really answered how they shape it. If you bend it, the molecules rearrange and it stays that way… or because they rearrange instead of stretching, it returns to its original shape? *confused*

     

     

     

    Posted 2 months ago
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