The next gen. tire. The Tweel(Pics inside)

[Goku]

My brother, a mech. engineering student at U. of Idaho sent me some pictures he got from a tire engineer.
My brother is doing a project where they get to build a mini race car, design the whole thing.
He is designing suspension. Lucky bugger

Interesting stuff.

EDIT: Also they said these are going to retail "soon"

[livewirevoodoo]

i saw a write up on those tires a few months back. very iteresting stuff

[auh]

they look cool, but idk...flexible spokes i dont think it would be good for handling

[seaboltman]

Only thing im scared of is trying to corner in that. Dosent look sturdy

[auh]

I wonder how it would affect gas milage, i mean no need to change tire pressure

[Goku]

Actually if you look at the physics of it, they will probably as sturdy or more sturdy in a corner. Who knows, I bet the engineers know what they are doing. It's not like it's firestone ;-)

[livewirevoodoo]

makes rims kinda pointless

[Zero10]

That's pretty cool. I as well am curious about cornering stability, and how those spokes hold up when twisted, like in corners, or dry steering, etc.

Either way, that is really really neat!
My next issue would be, if used as winter tires, or if you go through some mud, you're going to get crap in them, which is going to throw off your wheel balance something fierce.

[Rmills944]

Every tire would have to be adjusted different for different weight vehicles so the tread would wear differently. And, if you're going to do this, why not just make a tire that only the tread needs replaced? They also look like they'd suck in the rain.

[auh]

Here's another pic on there website I thought was cool

[ernestedward]

I'm assuming these are open for demostration/photography purposes... The actual production ones will no doubt look like a regular tire. Also, in terms of handling and stability, I bet the flexible part will be designed with different thinkness and configuration, possibily even different alloys to get optimum handling/comfort (or whatever you need).


Really cool stuff.

[Tidybuoy]

On the 6th picture down, I notice that the Audi's inside wheels are barely footed on the ground. I wonder how these would do hard cornering in the rain.

Looks like there's about as much tread on the ground as a 10 speed bike.

[Gary Peters]

I would guess they will be a significant leap forward in less sacrifice in the comfort to handling ratio. The Audi looks like all the flex results in more contact patch on the ground as opposed to sidewall flex in a normal tire resulting in less contact. The rear inside tire lifting looks like they hold very well indeed.

I can't see them fitting over any big brake packages though.

And the big question is how will it fit over a Fuchs?

[auh]

I would have to agree with ernestedward on the stability based on the one pic I provided. How much do you think one of those vehicles weigh? and its traveling over rocks while maintianing its shape.

[Va914]

Nice design Looks like things will be going back to the 13" rims soon..SO much for Bling Bling and running 20's

Just don't use them in SNOW and you'll be just fine

[Z-man]

Moving to OT, where this 'tweel' has already been covered, BTW.

-Z-man.