Two years ago, we heard how the Ohio-based Smart Tire Company was developing shape memory airless bicycle tires. Well, the resulting Metl tires can now be purchased via – you guessed it – a Kickstarter campaign.

NASA-inspired airless bicycle tires are now available for purchase::undefined

  • smort@lemmy.worldEnglish
    641·
    1 year ago

    I’m hoping they actually make it to production and they’re a fantastic replacement to pneumatic tires.

    BUT, it’s a Kickstarter, with estimated delivery almost a year from now. I’m withholding my excitement until they’re actually in use by regular people in the real world

      • silent_clash@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
        3·
        1 year ago

        Cycling kickstarters have an awful track record. Make sure it’s make by an actual cycling company and even then it’s better to do a late pledge after some fulfillment and reviews.

    • psud@aussie.zoneEnglish
      4·
      1 year ago

      It also looks like a Kickstarter where one is paying well above the future price to get to be one of the first

      I don’t think I want to be an early adopter here. I know how my current tyres handle a fast corner, I would like to see theses on bikes ridden fast before considering them.

    • June@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Yea I really think that an established brand would pick this up if it were really viable. They have the r&d capacity to make this work where I’m not convinced a startup does.