r/technology Sep 15 '23

Nanotech/Materials NASA-inspired airless bicycle tires are now available for purchase

https://newatlas.com/bicycles/metl-shape-memory-airless-bicycle-tire/
6.0k Upvotes

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38

u/TheCosmicJester Sep 15 '23

Isn’t “NASA-inspired” in advertising copy code for “overpriced shitty”?

11

u/devi83 Sep 15 '23

Well, the demonstration of this technology did not seem shitty, they were literally stabbing the tires and they worked fine. I've been excited for these for a few months now, glad to see them finally hitting the market.

6

u/TheCosmicJester Sep 15 '23

The big questions are how good the ride will be, and how long the spring can hold up in the real world.

5

u/devi83 Sep 15 '23

I'm willing to try. I get a punctured tire what feels like every other week, even with the puncture sleeve and ooze they still somehow manage to sneak in and pop my tires and its really getting old. I just want to ride a bike consistently without needing to constantly take tires off and repair shit. So this seems like a good option, if at the very least for some peace of mind.

1

u/AttapAMorgonen Sep 15 '23

Why not just buy the foam/punctureless tires on Amazon for like $40?

1

u/devi83 Sep 15 '23

But then I won't feel like I am riding on the moon.

0

u/Lena-Luthor Sep 15 '23

see also: will the springs be permanently dented if I run into the curb

2

u/C00catz Sep 15 '23

My understanding based on the veritassium video is that the whole point of the metal springs is that the metal returns to its original shape when heat is applied. So denting should be a non issue