[Edchris]

Just came across this article. Doesn’t sound like they will be available for a couple of years, but they were testing them on a Bolt.
Puncture proof tires, a different take than self sealing. Maybe it’s all a pipe dream.
http://www.ottawalife.com/article/puncture-proof-tire-rolled-out-at-sustainability-summit

 

[RichCapeCod]

They are a really great idea. Seems that their eventual use as conventional street tires is a very complex matter to unwind. I hope they succeed, as not worrying about flat tires would be a really good thing!


Rich

 

[PhilBo]

Here's a video of the puncture proof airless tire.

 

[Dimitrij]

I remember seeing a similar picture decades ago; I hope this time the "war against tire punctures" will yield a decisive victory.

All 3 times kEVin lost the tire it was a breach in the wall, not a puncture - the stock tires have zero pothole tolerance.

As any mechanical device, this "airless tire" will suffer a non-puncture damage one day or another. For those people who need to drive outside of (sub)urban areas and can't afford to spend days to get their tires fixed there is no substitute for a spare tire.

 

[Edchris]

They will probably be very expensive,as it seems they contain their own rim. We might get tires that last longer, but buying rims at every tire change will turn off many buyers.

 

[MDBolt]

They will probably be very expensive,as it seems they contain their own rim. We might get tires that last longer, but buying rims at every tire change will turn off many buyers.

If the rim truly is a requirement with purchase (the photos seem to support this theory), I agree that it might turn off some buyers. But depending on how big the price delta is compared to regular tires, it should still be worthy of consideration especially since the tradeoffs mentioned (no need for TPMS, no need for re-inflating every now and then, "protection" from traditional road hazards that would have resulted in dangerous blowouts) might far outweigh this cost difference.

 

[hatchy]

These have been available for years and years in non-car applications.. they haven't exactly taken over those markets. I too am hopeful, but skeptical.

 

[GregBrew]

These have been available for years and years in non-car applications.. they haven't exactly taken over those markets. I too am hopeful, but skeptical.

Not to mention, covered in a different thread a couple of months ago...

 

[NY-Rob]

Pretty cool... when can I start printing them on my $200 Monoprice 3-D printer? >

 

[GregBrew]

Pretty cool... when can I start printing them on my $200 Monoprice 3-D printer? >

Right now, if you have zero cares about what you put on your roof.

 

[MikeyBolt]

Sorry, I can only imagine the amount of pebbles, debris, and dirt that will get built up between those rubber ribs, throwing off the balance. Not to mention they look scuffed. I think I'll wait until they cover the sides and at least make them look a little more like a normal tire.

Mike

 

[redpoint5]

Doubtful to ever be a thing. Deforming plastic creates more rolling resistance than deforming air. Everything has a trade-off, and efficiency isn't one that most are willing to accept.

 

[MDBolt]

Sorry, I can only imagine the amount of pebbles, debris, and dirt that will get built up between those rubber ribs, throwing off the balance. Not to mention they look scuffed. I think I'll wait until they cover the sides and at least make them look a little more like a normal tire.

Mike

Great points. I wonder if the intention for production includes a sidewall as you’re calling for to protect against the issues you’ve cited, and the current prototype exists as it does purely for testing and “showing off” purposes.

 

[MikeyBolt]

Great points. I wonder if the intention for production includes a sidewall as you’re calling for to protect against the issues you’ve cited, and the current prototype exists as it does purely for testing and “showing off” purposes.

Yeah, I was thinking it might be a cutaway just so you can see the innards. You'd think they would show it with sidewalls first though and then go to the cutaway? I would think they'd have to have sidewalls else one trip through a muddy intersection and you're in trouble!

Mike

 

[MDBolt]

Not to mention all the snow for Northern folk.

 

[rlhammon]

Just came across this article. Doesn’t sound like they will be available for a couple of years, but they were testing them on a Bolt.
Puncture proof tires, a different take than self sealing. Maybe it’s all a pipe dream.
http://www.ottawalife.com/article/puncture-proof-tire-rolled-out-at-sustainability-summit

This has been posted several times, but still... thanks.

I guess I'm lost as to this spare tire "issue". I haven't had a spare tire in a new car since 2007 at least. Most people never check their spare tire and if/when they need it it's usually underinflated anyway.

For those that feel they need to haul around a tire, I guess this becomes a good solution. For people like me who drive in snow this won't work in its current form, and besides I have no need / desire to haul around a spare.

 

[hatchy]

Doubtful to ever be a thing. Deforming plastic creates more rolling resistance than deforming air. Everything has a trade-off, and efficiency isn't one that most are willing to accept.

And not just the mpg, also the stuff inefficiency turns into, heat. Whats a Bolt with five people weigh.. then put them on a 80mph commute. That aint no 900lbs UTV going 35mph, its some serious heat.

 

[Edchris]

This has been posted several times, but still... thanks.

I guess I'm lost as to this spare tire "issue". I haven't had a spare tire in a new car since 2007 at least. Most people never check their spare tire and if/when they need it it's usually underinflated anyway.

For those that feel they need to haul around a tire, I guess this becomes a good solution. For people like me who drive in snow this won't work in its current form, and besides I have no need / desire to haul around a spare.

Sorry, I haven’t been on the forum much lately, I just drive our Bolt like an ICE now. The novelty has worn off & it is now just one of the fleet, turning 40K after 11 months.
I had not ever heard of this new airless tire, my experience is with wheel barrow tires!
I have had very good experiences with the spare tires supplied with our Japanese cars. In fact, I just junked a 2000 Corolla, (370,000km) & the spare had never been used, but was still at service pressure. My Sienna spare has also never really lost pressure, despite being exposed under the rear of the van for over a decade.