News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Smart METL airless metal bike tires use a “shape memory alloy” for deformation. Parent comment

Re:Smart METL airless metal bike tires use a “shape memory a... by tzs on Thursday March 18, 2021 @11:40AM (#26503792)
> While they weigh more than regular tires, they weigh less than the combined weight of regular tires + pump + patch kit, so it's a net win on weight.

Larger moment of inertia, though, so not a complete win. I wonder how the trade off works--where is the breakeven point between trading tire mass for mass being carried in a fixed position on the frame?

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Smart METL airless metal bike tires use a “shape memory a... by gameswithgo on Thursday March 18, 2021 @11:45AM (#26503855)
I have done the math, and the inertia issue is basically a non issue. Humans don’t accelerate hard enough to have any significant impact.

the issue with airless tires though is bot weight, but rolling resistance and handling. Both are much worse. It is going to feel horrible.

[ Parent | on HN ]