On 15 Mar, 04:15, wrote:
Mike Schwab wrote:

*http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tec...tweel.tech.cnn

Not solid rubber, rubber support ribs radiating from the hub.

All cushioning on a pneumatic tire is offered by an air spring with no
measurable losses while clincher losses are from bending tread, casing
and inner tube, all small amounts that are hard to measure accurately
without careful instrumentation. *In contrast the "rubber support" has
large hysteretic losses that can be sampled by stretching a broad flat
rubber band and sensing its temperature against the upper lip.

I don't know what the main goal of this airless tire is, but it better
not be low RR, one of the main interests for bicyclists.

It seems to me to be a development of the military pneumatic tyres
that can be used after the side wall has been blown out. They've just
made an announcement for general publicity purposes. It's unlikely
ever to have a general consumer use, although run-flat sales are
increasing.

TJ


T