Bicycle tires may have seen little technological development over the past decades, especially in terms of design, but a recent innovation could change this trajectory and confirm the adage of “reinventing the wheel.”
American company Smart Tire, in collaboration with NASA, announced a new model of airless tires that innovatively uses the ability to remember their original shape when exposed to pressure!
What’s new?
Unlike many traditional runflat tires, which often come for rider comfort and are criticized for their stiffness, rolling resistance and high effort required when pedaling, inside the new tire is a coiled cord called a “medl”. In rubber tire design..
This wire is NiTinol, a combination of nickel and titanium, which is unique in its combination of strength (due to the nickel) and rubber-like elasticity.
The tire’s exposure to pressure causes deformation of its shape, but it returns to its original state due to the materials it is made of. This feature allows Metl tires to provide the same compression and rebound dynamics as conventional pneumatic tires.
Other benefits
Coating the Nitinol spring with a polyrubber material creates transparent sidewalls and makes the tire tread (the rubber on the tire in contact with the road) flexible.
It is also worth noting that a metal tire requires half the amount of rubber as a regular tire. Although its tread needs to be replaced after 8,000 to 12,000 km, the basic tire is designed to last the life of the bike.
Technology inspired by NASA
This innovative approach is called “SMART” (Shape Memory Alloy Radial Technology) and aims not only to redefine the quality of bicycles, but also to extend it to a wide range of off-road vehicles.
Although this technology was originally designed by NASA to address the challenges faced by extraterrestrial exploration, particularly missions to Mars, it has found a transformative application on Earth.
Experts say these futuristic designs could offer flexibility in tightness by allowing controlled air inflation, making them act like compressed air.
Such advances in tire technology, eliminating flat tires, regular monitoring of air pressure and reduced maintenance requirements, represent a major advance in the world of cycling.
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