tubby_mcgee 683 Posted June 14, 2019 1.) couldn't use in mud or snow, so very limited sales area. I'm surprised they can't close that open area on the tire. 2.) it seems like those "support beams" inside would become floppy and lose support quickly. Obviously Michelin has tested them, but it just seems like it, visualizing it. 3.) obviously manufacturers won't make them last "too long" -- they still need sales. As with a lot of products, manufacturers make sure their product needs replacing at normal intervals.(Cell phones?) https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2019/06/05/michelin-airless-tire-orig.cnn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fandandy 3,311 Posted June 14, 2019 Damnit. I knew I shouldn't have put all my investment eggs in the fix-a-flat basket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MTSkiBum 1,587 Posted June 14, 2019 15 minutes ago, tubby_mcgee said: 1.) couldn't use in mud or snow, so very limited sales area. I'm surprised they can't close that open area on the tire. 2.) it seems like those "support beams" inside would become floppy and lose support quickly. Obviously Michelin has tested them, but it just seems like it, visualizing it. 3.) obviously manufacturers won't make them last "too long" -- they still need sales. As with a lot of products, manufacturers make sure their product needs replacing at normal intervals.(Cell phones?) https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2019/06/05/michelin-airless-tire-orig.cnn 1. They probably cannot close the tire due to heat buildup. 2. Maybe, but the treads will probably wear out first 3. I do not think this stops the manufacturer. They have the patent, if they could build a tire that lasts a much longer time they would steal the market share. Look at tires today compared to even tires 20-30 years ago. I think my tires are rated for 80,000 miles, a tire back then was rated for 20-30k and you were lucky to see that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mookz 1,286 Posted June 14, 2019 A big blow to jilted girlfriends everywhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorepatrol 1,727 Posted June 15, 2019 Those have been around for YEARS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frank 2,140 Posted June 15, 2019 48 minutes ago, shorepatrol said: Those have been around for YEARS. Those have been good years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EternalShinyAndChrome 2,428 Posted June 15, 2019 46 minutes ago, shorepatrol said: Those have been around for YEARS. Yeah. We had those in the Marines back in 91/92. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sderk 1,040 Posted June 15, 2019 Back in the mid 19th century we had airless tires on our covered wagons. Constantly fighting off the injuns. Never had a flat. Sometimes they broke but, well, never once had to stop at the local gas station to get air. Saved a lot of time. Necessary with a bunch of Sioux on your ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tubby_mcgee 683 Posted June 15, 2019 11 hours ago, MTSkiBum said: 1. They probably cannot close the tire due to heat buildup. 2. Maybe, but the treads will probably wear out first 3. I do not think this stops the manufacturer. They have the patent, if they could build a tire that lasts a much longer time they would steal the market share. Look at tires today compared to even tires 20-30 years ago. I think my tires are rated for 80,000 miles, a tire back then was rated for 20-30k and you were lucky to see that. 1.) Good point 2.) Good point 3.) It seems like patents hardly work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites