Hi,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piwoslaw
First things that come to mind:
1) More rotational mass than air.
2) Less comfort.
3) Pain to change tires.
4) After time and many large temperature swings, foam may start to crumble.
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1) Yes, that's true, but I think it would be maybe a pound or less?
2) Again, true, but (eventually) the spring rates and dampening could be adjusted to compensate.
3) Yes, but if the rolling resistance could be cut to a fraction of what it is using air pressure, then you probably would save a lot of fuel, and it be worth it. Besides, I am thinking of this as an experiment.
4) Right -- that is why I was wondering about what kinds of foam that would be less likely to NOT break down. I know that foam used in stress skin structural panels on buildings are amazingly strong and rigid. A rigid tire would not heat up very much -- and it would roll very, very well, I think!
As for the TWEEL -- it is designed to replace standard tires and to have the same kind of flexing. Which is exactly what I'm trying to eliminate.