First bicycle tyre with NASA technology to be launched on the market soon
Bicycle tyres that never go flat and last forever: The Smart Tire Company promises no less. Their product allegedly incorporates NASA technology. The company from Ohio is selling the tyres via a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.
The so-called airless metal tyres are made of Nitinol, which stretches like rubber but is as strong as titanium. Nitinol is an alloy of nickel and titanium that creates a kind of shape memory through heat treatment. The material was developed by NASA. This is reported by the technology portal The Verge.
The new "wonder tyres" are marketed by The Smart Tire Company, former participants in the TV show "Shark Tank". The start-up is based in Akron, Ohio, which is also the home of Goodyear tyres. Metl tyres, with a weight of 450 grams and a corresponding size of 700 x 35c, should be able to be mounted on most common road or gravel bike rims, according to The Verge.
Nitinol and its NASA origins
The Metl bicycle tyres are expected to be launched in June 2024. The crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter currently has 128 supporters and has already exceeded its target threefold around a month before the end. The extended goals (if the campaign generates sufficient revenue) include the production of wider Metl tyres for e-bikes and mountain bikes as well as more road/gravel sizes.
Cover photo: The Smart Tire Company
From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.