Michelin Tweel

[dkmech]

http://www.michelinman.com/differenc...01102005a.html

Interesting. Check out the gallery too. Not sure they will leave the production models open though - for reasons of them looking silly and damage to the membranes/strings.

[iMc]

They are truely odd...

[Rave]

Interesting. Check out the gallery too. Not sure they will leave the production models open though - for reasons of them looking silly and damage to the membranes/strings.

Poor aerodynamics if you leave them open too, I reckon.

[BroadbandPlacey]

very odd indeed, do we really need air-less tires?

[Howard]

LOL.... Oo er. Reminds me of when I used to ride a bike without a tyre and just the metal wheel

[iMc]

Howard you crazy git. Why?!

[Howard]

Boredom. And to see how it handled corners.

[Tumble]

think it looks rather innovative and interesting personally.. and i don't think aerodynamics would be that big an issue actually... look at some of the more open alloy designs that are kicking about at the moment..

[schmunk]

to see how it handled corners.

Badly, I presume...

[roacheford]

not too good on cornering i would think, don't look like they have the lateral strength

[dkmech]

If they keep the normal tyre wall for the retail models it probably will have the ;ateral strength too. I think the way it is at the moment is just a showcase.

[Tumble]

not too good on cornering i would think, don't look like they have the lateral strength

have you read the article? it clearly states that the Tweel is up to five times stiffer laterally than a standard pnuematic tyre, although that can be adjusted, as can the vertical stiffness....

Michelin has also found that it can tune Tweel performances independently of each other, which is a significant change from conventional tires. This means that vertical stiffness (which primarily affects ride comfort) and lateral stiffness (which affects handling and cornering) can both be optimized, pushing the performance envelope in these applications and enabling new performances not possible for current inflated tires. The Tweel prototype, demonstrated on the Audi A4, is within five percent of the rolling resistance and mass levels of current pneumatic tires. That translates to within one percent of the fuel economy of the OE fitment. Additionally, Michelin has increased the lateral stiffness by a factor of five, making the prototype unusually responsive in its handling.

[roacheford]

have you read the article? it clearly states that the Tweel is up to five times stiffer laterally than a standard pnuematic tyre, although that can be adjusted, as can the vertical stiffness....

appologies, no i hadn't read the article!!!