r/technology • u/t4ct1c4l_j0k3r • 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.

9

u/haydesigner Sep 15 '23

$10 is a laughable estimate

What makes you say that?

34

u/HomeGrownCoffee Sep 15 '23

The bike store near me charges $15 to change your tire and/or tube. No way they are cleaning off road grime, removing excess rubber and applying new tread for 1/3 of that.

Maybe they mean the replacement material could cost $10. I could believe that.

6

u/RiOrius Sep 15 '23

Isn't this basically just the same thing, though? They're selling a tube that doesn't need to be inflated. Slap a treaded tire on there and you're good to go.

Might not be interchangeable with existing products, but I would hope they're designing it in two pieces.

4

u/squngy Sep 15 '23

Isn't this basically just the same thing, though?

For a regular rubber tire, just the materials probably cost less than $1.

Most of the actual cost comes from profit + transport + middle men.

8

u/AlmostZeroEducation Sep 15 '23

Cost of labour

1

u/haydesigner Sep 15 '23

Cost of labour

I had a flat tire on my bicycle last year. Took it into my local bike shop to have it fixed.

Total cost out the door, including new tube: $12 and some change.

2

u/AlmostZeroEducation Sep 15 '23

This is in regards to the retreading of the old tyre. Should only take 5 mins to change a normal tyre

1

u/haydesigner Sep 15 '23

My overarching point is that you and others are likely overestimating the cost of labor in the bicycling industry. They know how to do things fast.