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airless tires ???

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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 12:11 AM
  #1  
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Default airless tires ???

Have you seen these "tweels"?

http://paultan.org/archives/2005/07/...ichelin-tweel/

talk about run-flats..
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 12:22 AM
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I hate to say it, but I saw that in a Motor Trend about two years or so ago.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I seem to be the one who finds out last about everything.

That being said. The tweel is a very interesting concept. Seems like lateral stability would be an issue. The cooling effect of the open tire design would be very nice.
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 01:09 AM
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I've seen those. Interesting concept, but I'd insist that the manufacturer tack on on a "decorative" sidewall before I ever considered fitting something like those. I think they're hideous looking!
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 01:21 AM
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Totally weird.....I'm just thinking about all the stuff that could end up in the center webbing. Rocks and dirt, maybe a little mud......

Bizarre concept though.......
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 01:32 AM
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those pics are just showcasing the technology. the final consumer product would be closed for obvious reasons.
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 04:39 AM
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Their story has been floating around here for a while. But I'd bet if they make it into production, there will be a some sort of sidewall to them if nothing else for looks.
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 09:28 AM
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Those would look real nice on you performance car!
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 11:17 AM
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Three words: fugly, fugly, fugly!!!

Maybe some spinner covers to brighten things up?
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 11:47 AM
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I dunno, if you sprayed some tire shine all over them, they'd look pretty cool IMO. Not to mention when you're driving on them, it looks like your wheel is floating above the ground. They look sick while moving!

"The Tweek seems to use a small hub with large spokes."

Small hub w/ larger spokes means less room for brakes. Can we get tweels with a 35 sidewall & 18" wheel and still have the technology function correctly, or would the rubber spokes be too small?

I don't think the lateral stability will be too much of a problem. Because the rubber spokes run the width of the tire and wheel (inside edge to outside edge) when the car corners and the tire tries to pull in, the rubber spokes may stretch a little, but shouldn't be much... I'd wager you'd have less tire roll with these than a conventional tire.




Dan

Last edited by LF97C5Vette; Dec 13, 2006 at 11:54 AM. Reason: Adding pic
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 02:03 PM
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Ugly!!!!
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 02:11 PM
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I would need those in DR form lol.
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 04:28 PM
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I've been using "airelss tires" for years... I use Nitrogen...
but that's a whole 'nuther can or worms...
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 04:30 PM
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Lets hope they do better with this than they did with steel belted radials, when they were first introduced.
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by electronbluec5
I hate to say it, but I saw that in a Motor Trend about two years or so ago.

And on here about every two months...
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 05:03 PM
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by electronbluec5
The cooling effect of the open tire design would be very nice.
Originally Posted by JMc
I've seen those. Interesting concept, but I'd insist that the manufacturer tack on on a "decorative" sidewall before I ever considered fitting something like those. I think they're hideous looking!
Originally Posted by Dave1
Totally weird.....I'm just thinking about all the stuff that could end up in the center webbing. Rocks and dirt, maybe a little mud......
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 05:29 PM
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the one thing i've heard is there is some road noise
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