Weird new Michelin tire design...

[Super Blue 72]

Have you guys seen these before? 

http://www.shadetreemechanic.com/michelin_new_tire_design.htm

['Cuda Hunter]

Never get a flat. I watched a special on tv out them.
My only problem with them would be the mud and rocks from 4x4 driving.
Or the rain that might get in them while driving in the rain.
Are they actually for sale.  If so, I would try a set on a street car to see what they are about.
Seems like a pretty slick set up. 

[Super Blue 72]

Never thought about the mud and rocks!    I would imagine that in snow country if snow gets in them you're looking at big off balance issues.

Can't hide drugs in the spare anymore either!!!     

[brads70]

 Yes I have seen them on the net ! I agree with the above post, I see huge issues with snow , ice , and slush. That will never balance!!  It's got to be heavyer than a regular tire too! Bad for performance and economy! Inovative idea though?

[farmertan]

every gang banger wants these the cops stop sticks wont do anything to these.

[IMNCARN82]

How will debris get in the tire past the bead?       

[Justins72]

Is it possible that the picture is a cut away of the side wall to show you the inner airless design? Just a thought

[Chryco Psycho]

the pics I have seen do not have a sidewall , they would be awesome here , get water in them , freeze overnight & the car would be stuck in 6" of ice until spring thaw

[brads70]

the pics I have seen do not have a sidewall , they would be awesome here , get water in them , freeze overnight & the car would be stuck in 6" of ice until spring thaw

  Hey you could use "the club" instead of a car alarm!!!

[Oldschool]

That is Michellins future tire and wheel combo design.  They call it the "Twheel".  It is not slated for production for 5-10 years. It is a one piece design.  When the tread wears out, you replace the entire twheel.   

[71chally416]

the pics I have seen do not have a sidewall , they would be awesome here , get water in them , freeze overnight & the car would be stuck in 6" of ice until spring thaw

Just a minor issue they haven't worked out yet 

[ViperMan]

Pretty sure this is a "prototype" design to show the functionality.  What surprises me is they haven't hit market yet - they've been talking about these for 5 years or so - we learned about these at WyoTech in '04.

The gov't is going NUTS over tire pressures - all these tire-pressure monitoring systems which are mandatory on ALL U.S. cars as-of this year.  A tire like this would eliminate the need for those systems, and would save tons of money, reduce accidents, rollovers, all that stuff.

(I do agree the lack of being able to use spike-strips might be what's holding these up...)

Jeff

['Cuda Hunter]

I would think that a simple fix for the rocks, mud, ice, and water issue would be to just put a fake sidewall in place.  That would take away the look that I am sure people like but it would eliminate all said problems.  I would love to have those on my 4x4.  I have popped so many tires in the mountains.  Then popped my two spares on the way out.  Sucks to run down a mountain on just a rim.  Done that at least 6 times. 
  Anyway, this is really quite a good design in my opinion. 

[Chryco Psycho]

the problem with this design & off raod is the lack of ability to air the tire down to get more bite

['Cuda Hunter]

Good point.  I bet that if they materialize that we will be able to buy tires with different ridgidity in the plastic strips.   This won't make it so that you can air up and air down out on the trail but at least you might be able to take the appropriate tires out for the trip.