Page Turner Posted January 22, 2020 Share #1 Posted January 22, 2020 If you’re a consumer and you want to see what Bridgestone is up to, you can get a glimpse of the airless tire solution during the Tokyo Summer Olympics in a few months time. As the official tire company of the Olympic games, Bridgestone will be outfitting the entire area with publicly available bicycles with new airless tires. https://jalopnik.com/bridgestone-says-airless-tires-are-coming-soon-to-bicyc-1841140591 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted January 22, 2020 Share #2 Posted January 22, 2020 I would try those if they were not cost prohibitive 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted January 22, 2020 Share #3 Posted January 22, 2020 I'm in. It's sort of the LED argument. Buy once at an expensive price or buy multiple times at a lower price. I wonder how the wear and tear holds up? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted January 22, 2020 Share #4 Posted January 22, 2020 I wonder how the spring parts handle lateral deflection. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted January 22, 2020 Share #5 Posted January 22, 2020 1 hour ago, maddmaxx said: I wonder how the spring parts handle lateral deflection. Or mud or snow? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted January 22, 2020 Share #6 Posted January 22, 2020 2 hours ago, maddmaxx said: I wonder how the spring parts handle lateral deflection. 2 minutes ago, Kzoo said: Or mud or snow? I wonder about the tread. If I buy a tire that can never go flat, what good is it if it's worn and bald? It's only as good as the tread lasts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted January 22, 2020 Share #7 Posted January 22, 2020 I know some farmers who have been less than thrilled with these on farm equipment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parr8hed Posted January 22, 2020 Share #8 Posted January 22, 2020 36 minutes ago, Indy said: I know some farmers who have been less than thrilled with these on farm equipment. why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted January 22, 2020 Share #9 Posted January 22, 2020 1 minute ago, Parr8hed said: why? Ride quality (yes it matters on farm equipment) is less than satisfactory. They get torn up and are extremely expensive to replace. They do have issues with mud getting packed into them, that causes wear issues and ride issues. I think there is more than that too, but the ones I knew that got tractors with them, ended up paying for new rims and regular tires, which was also cheaper than replacing these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parr8hed Posted January 22, 2020 Share #10 Posted January 22, 2020 1 minute ago, Indy said: Ride quality (yes it matters on farm equipment) is less than satisfactory. They get torn up and are extremely expensive to replace. They do have issues with mud getting packed into them, that causes wear issues and ride issues. I think there is more than that too, but the ones I knew that got tractors with them, ended up paying for new rims and regular tires, which was also cheaper than replacing these. Gotcha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted January 22, 2020 Share #11 Posted January 22, 2020 There's been many attempts at airless tires over the years. Yet we are still pumping them up. I have my doubts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted January 22, 2020 Share #12 Posted January 22, 2020 This is the run flat protection by Vittoria. For mtb wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted January 22, 2020 Share #13 Posted January 22, 2020 6 minutes ago, JerrySTL said: There's been many attempts at airless tires over the years. Yet we are still pumping them up. I have my doubts. These have probably been the closest to getting it right, but still not there. They breaking down of the rubber spokes over time seems to be the issue and the open, exposed design just makes that worse as dirt and rocks get in the spokes. A lot of people really wanted these to be good. They are better than a solid rubber tire, but at the cost, solid rubber wins if puncture resistance is your primary concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizeye Posted January 22, 2020 Share #14 Posted January 22, 2020 Just fill your tires up with water instead of air. Far cheaper than solid/airless and far more fluid with a ride cushioning effect. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtyhip Posted January 22, 2020 Share #15 Posted January 22, 2020 Gross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 22, 2020 Share #16 Posted January 22, 2020 28 minutes ago, Tizeye said: Just fill your tires up with water instead of air. Far cheaper than solid/airless and far more fluid with a ride cushioning effect. Do you have to switch from summer water to winter water just like you do with air? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 22, 2020 Share #17 Posted January 22, 2020 3 minutes ago, Dirtyhip said: Gross. Yep. I've been seeing this sort of tire for years, and no one has pitched it effectively as alternative to the existing systems we've had for decades on cars and bikes. Good buzz, though. Compared to a mildly changed tread pattern or a tweaked rubber compound, what exciting stuff ever comes out of Bridgestone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Far ★ Posted January 22, 2020 Share #18 Posted January 22, 2020 480 × 360 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted January 22, 2020 Share #19 Posted January 22, 2020 32 minutes ago, Dirtyhip said: Gross. From a MTB standpoint, if they could make them cost effective, they are the ultimate in possibility as the tire/suspension possibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizeye Posted January 22, 2020 Share #20 Posted January 22, 2020 1 hour ago, jsharr said: Do you have to switch from summer water to winter water just like you do with air? Yes. Winter water has a solution of antifreeze in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted January 22, 2020 Share #21 Posted January 22, 2020 I'm strictly a roadie..., so not too worried about mud getting trapped. 4 hours ago, Dottles said: I wonder about the tread. If I buy a tire that can never go flat, what good is it if it's worn and bald? It's only as good as the tread lasts. That is a good point I never thought of, not a huge issue with road slicks, but still Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickinMD ★ Posted January 22, 2020 Share #22 Posted January 22, 2020 I saw the airless tires and thought about how much it would reduce the tools I carry. When I started cycling after decades away and never previously owning more than a 3-speed and was REALLY out of shape, I greatly feared getting locked inside a park that locked its gates at dusk due to walking out from the middle with a flat, braking a chain, or some other mishap. I spent lots of time on YouTube and the Beginner's Forum on that other site making sure I had all the tools and skills to fix my bike - buying a cheap bike stand and practicing adjusting derailleurs, disc brakes, etc. I keep a bicycle pump, a spare tube, and duct tape wrapped around a tool in case there's a slash in a tire I need to protect a new tube from being pinched in - not to mention a patch kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share #23 Posted January 22, 2020 2 hours ago, jsharr said: Do you have to switch from summer water to winter water just like you do with air? ...that's dumb. You just add glycol antifreeze and you're good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share #24 Posted January 22, 2020 2 hours ago, Razors Edge said: Yep. I've been seeing this sort of tire for years, and no one has pitched it effectively as alternative to the existing systems we've had for decades on cars and bikes. Good buzz, though. Compared to a mildly changed tread pattern or a tweaked rubber compound, what exciting stuff ever comes out of Bridgestone? ...the RB-1 road bicycle. For years they commanded high prices on the used bike market. The Cult of the Bridgestone RB-1 Can you say, "Grant Petersen" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted January 22, 2020 Share #25 Posted January 22, 2020 3 hours ago, Razors Edge said: Yep. I've been seeing this sort of tire for years, and no one has pitched it effectively as alternative to the existing systems we've had for decades on cars and bikes. Good buzz, though. Compared to a mildly changed tread pattern or a tweaked rubber compound, what exciting stuff ever comes out of Bridgestone? https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRIDGESTONE-POTENZA-RE-11S-225-45-17-HIGH-PERFORMANCE-RACE-TIRE-SET-OF-4-JAPAN/292485745624?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D171f3b1aaa09459eb2a13590eaa66058%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D8%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D292485708570%26itm%3D292485745624%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted January 22, 2020 Share #26 Posted January 22, 2020 I will have to check to be sure when I get home, but I think they are a little too wide for my bike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted January 22, 2020 Share #27 Posted January 22, 2020 File this thread under the category "There are no more original ideas. Everything that can be thought of has been thought of." It worked so well for them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 22, 2020 Share #28 Posted January 22, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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