The Car on 22's
#63
You know, I think the tire manufacturers are preparing us for the day when they mass produce those airless tires. Basically a wide, flat black rubber band maybe an inch or so thick, mounted on a plastic wheel (25's or 26's?) with cuts all around it for flex which is why they don't need air any more. So the wheels are getting bigger and bigger and when that day comes it'll look natural.
But then another thought goes through my head too, that the tire makers DON'T want this new tire. They'd never sell extra tires from gigantic-nail flats or blowouts, etc., and only sell us replacements when the rubber was worn down.
Plus the blink would/could still be there since the plastic or resin or whatever could be chromed, or they could used colored plastics with designs painted on'em, etc. Wish I could find some of the pictures I saw of this new tire concept. Just think of it - no air needed, no SPARE needed.
BTW the wheels look great - in fact probably a little too SMALL if we already had those airless tires now...
But then another thought goes through my head too, that the tire makers DON'T want this new tire. They'd never sell extra tires from gigantic-nail flats or blowouts, etc., and only sell us replacements when the rubber was worn down.
Plus the blink would/could still be there since the plastic or resin or whatever could be chromed, or they could used colored plastics with designs painted on'em, etc. Wish I could find some of the pictures I saw of this new tire concept. Just think of it - no air needed, no SPARE needed.
BTW the wheels look great - in fact probably a little too SMALL if we already had those airless tires now...
#65
Okay last post on the subject - video:http://reviews.cnet.com/Airless_tire...7-6214285.html
And a quote from an article about this new Michelin tire:
"Michelin has also found that it can tune Tweel performances independently of each other, which is a significant change from conventional tires. This means that vertical stiffness (which primarily affects ride comfort) and lateral stiffness (which affects handling and cornering) can both be optimized, pushing the performance envelope in these applications and enabling new performances not possible for current inflated tires. The Tweel prototype, demonstrated on the Audi A4, is within five percent of the rolling resistance and mass levels of current pneumatic tires. That translates to within one percent of the fuel economy of the OE fitment. Additionally, Michelin has increased the lateral stiffness by a factor of five, making the prototype unusually responsive in its handling."
Wow, wonder if that means five times the road holding?
Other companies developing airless tires:
http://www.compositesworld.com/ct/is.../December/1096
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,240737,00.html
Apparently these are being manufactured Right Now for less stringent applications (golf carts, etc.) as well as Segway's new iBot and Concept Centaur.
Okay back on topic - man those 22's look great!
And a quote from an article about this new Michelin tire:
"Michelin has also found that it can tune Tweel performances independently of each other, which is a significant change from conventional tires. This means that vertical stiffness (which primarily affects ride comfort) and lateral stiffness (which affects handling and cornering) can both be optimized, pushing the performance envelope in these applications and enabling new performances not possible for current inflated tires. The Tweel prototype, demonstrated on the Audi A4, is within five percent of the rolling resistance and mass levels of current pneumatic tires. That translates to within one percent of the fuel economy of the OE fitment. Additionally, Michelin has increased the lateral stiffness by a factor of five, making the prototype unusually responsive in its handling."
Wow, wonder if that means five times the road holding?
Other companies developing airless tires:
http://www.compositesworld.com/ct/is.../December/1096
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,240737,00.html
Apparently these are being manufactured Right Now for less stringent applications (golf carts, etc.) as well as Segway's new iBot and Concept Centaur.
Okay back on topic - man those 22's look great!
Last edited by MR Bulk; 07-08-2007 at 04:46 AM.
#66
#68
It doesn't look bad. I think it makes the car look kinda tallish, obviously cannot be dropped any more. Maybe a conservative body kit / front lip would help it out. I wouldn't do it to my car, I feel like the driving habits require that I keep some rubber on my tires, but if your just going for the 'mine are bigger' thing. Its cool. But if thats what your into, then I think you made a good choice, those are nice looking wheels.
And personally- I think my 19s look just fine, my car might not make a rap video, but it will still perform and carve up backroads while looking good.
And personally- I think my 19s look just fine, my car might not make a rap video, but it will still perform and carve up backroads while looking good.
![Biggthumpup](https://g35driver.com/forums/images/smilies/biggthumpup.gif)