Smart tire company

[HLaB]

Making use of my amazing IT skills I have found more info
https://www.smarttirecompany.com/


sounds like NASA have used it to make tyres for the Mars missions - but for some reason the Mars missions didn't think they would need a bike
or at least that is one way to read it

still no mention of a rubber coating - although a picture of a MTB type tyre does seem to have the normal rubber knobbles
But if it moves and flexes maybe it does grip - although I can;t see it


addendum
The METL tire can last the life of your vehicle/bicycle, but eventually the rubber-like tread will wear down and can be re-treaded within our recycle system. It’s a lot better and cost-effective than having to buy a brand new set of tires.

looks like they technique involves a small amount of rubber and has good grip - according to them

When the 'Invest' pop up appeared, I did a dragon, I'm out

 

[KnittyNorah]

We'll get the orders in.. price per tyre Knitty ?... lots ?

Well, I hate sewing up knitting, and so I would prefer to do them on a CSM (circular sock machine) but those - at least in working order - are like hens' teeth here in the UK.
Easier to get hold of in the US and Canada, and there's a co in NZ makes new ones in alloy and everything, rather than cast iron, but they COST, oh do they cost ... new or old, they cost.
Then I'd have to get a suitable extra-small cylinder for the CSM - unless people only wanted balloon tyres ...

There again, I could just knit long strips and felt them into the wheel rim itself so they shrink inwards and are held in place by their own shrinkage, and knit another long strip of the rubber yarn, lined with kevlar and steel; it can be held securely in position over the felted rim filling by crocheting it in place around the spokes ...

 

[classic33]

Well, I hate sewing up knitting, and so I would prefer to do them on a CSM (circular sock machine) but those - at least in working order - are like hens' teeth here in the UK.
Easier to get hold of in the US and Canada, and there's a co in NZ makes new ones in alloy and everything, rather than cast iron, but they COST, oh do they cost ... new or old, they cost.
Then I'd have to get a suitable extra-small cylinder for the CSM - unless people only wanted balloon tyres ...

There again, I could just knit long strips and felt them into the wheel rim itself so they shrink inwards and are held in place by their own shrinkage, and knit another long strip of the rubber yarn, lined with kevlar and steel; it can be held securely in position over the felted rim filling by crocheting it in place around the spokes ...

I know where there's over a dozen of them in a box, doing nothing bar sitting there.

 

[KnittyNorah]

I know where there's over a dozen of them in a box, doing nothing bar sitting there.

WHAT? WHERE? HOW MUCH? Direct message me ... please ...

 

[classic33]

WHAT? WHERE? HOW MUCH? Direct message me ... please ...

Local museum, sat in the box the manufacturer would have shipped them in.
Never been used and with a similar number on display.

 

[Jenkins]

Well, I hate sewing up knitting, and so I would prefer to do them on a CSM (circular sock machine) but those - at least in working order - are like hens' teeth here in the UK.
Easier to get hold of in the US and Canada, and there's a co in NZ makes new ones in alloy and everything, rather than cast iron, but they COST, oh do they cost ... new or old, they cost.
Then I'd have to get a suitable extra-small cylinder for the CSM - unless people only wanted balloon tyres ...

There again, I could just knit long strips and felt them into the wheel rim itself so they shrink inwards and are held in place by their own shrinkage, and knit another long strip of the rubber yarn, lined with kevlar and steel; it can be held securely in position over the felted rim filling by crocheting it in place around the spokes ...

Wouldn't a knitted tyre make the bike handling a bit 'woolly'

 

[gavroche]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4srZOGm0EY

Michelin are actually producing a Mars tyre now but nothing to do with Nasa but entirely developped and manufactured by Michelin, according to the video.

 

[KnittyNorah]

Local museum, sat in the box the manufacturer would have shipped them in.
Never been used and with a similar number on display.

Oh b#gger you got me all excited there; I thought you meant in an old factory storeroom or something!

 

[classic33]

Wouldn't a knitted tyre make the bike handling a bit 'woolly'

Would a knitted coat be useful?

 

[KnittyNorah]

Wouldn't a knitted tyre make the bike handling a bit 'woolly'

Depends - it might well if I used wool; but equally if I used silk it might be a silky-smooth ride ... Would mohair mean it was as nimble as a goat?