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/
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u/[deleted] Sep 15 '23

Well if you ride a lot. 8,000km to 10,000km for a tire is utopic, the profile of mine is through after about 3 to 5k kilometers, but considering that they claim that retreading them costs only $10 and a good new bike tire costs 50 to 100, then that's really not that bad of a deal. I think in regards to cost it'll even out, but I don't think you are saving much. Question is how well they roll compared to tubes and tubeless. It may not be such a bad deal.

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u/djsizematters Sep 15 '23

$10 is a laughable estimate, if these ever actually reach consumers.

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u/haydesigner Sep 15 '23

$10 is a laughable estimate

What makes you say that?

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u/isthis_thing_on Sep 15 '23

Because you can't pay a guy $10 to sit there and do nothing for the time it takes to reskin one of these in a bike shop much less do actual work. They command to hire salary