- cross-posted to:
- technology@lemmy.ml
- bicycles@lemmy.ca
- technology@lemmit.online
- cross-posted to:
- technology@lemmy.ml
- bicycles@lemmy.ca
- technology@lemmit.online
There is a discussion on Hacker News, but feel free to comment here as well.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
The Metl bicycle tire is the first consumer product we’re aware of to use nitinol, a NASA-developed shape-memory alloy made of nickel and titanium that can be trained with heat to remember its shape.
Just be careful: the tires are being sold via a crowdfunded campaign on Kickstarter and that brings along risk, which I’d rate as high for something as cutting edge as this from a small startup.
You’re also looking at a pledge of $500 for a pair of blue or clear Metl tires (weighing 450g with an equivalent size of 700x35c) that are “DIY easy install” onto most common road or gravel bike rims.
Here’s a Verge video that provides a deeper dive into nitinol and its NASA origins (and future):
Despite their memory-metal construction, the tires do provide grip thanks to an integrated all-weather tread that offers “medium low” rolling resistance, according to the campaign.
Stretch goals (if the campaign earns enough) include making wider Metl tires for e-bikes and mountain bikes, and more road/gravel sizes and tread patterns.
The original article contains 323 words, the summary contains 169 words. Saved 48%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!