Discussion thread for: Michelin "Tweel" - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

NeilBlanchard · 03-05-2009, 02:12 PM

Hi,

I think that a composite tire/rim would be fine if it could have vanishingly low rolling resistance, good aerodynamics, and if the suspension was tuned to work with it.

As it stands now, the aero drag would be a deal killer, and the amount of sand/ice/snow that would build up on the inside would also be a deal breaker.

wyatt · 03-05-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almightybmw

From what I remember reading in a post last summer they are using this on heavy equipment where the short comings aren't noticed as much. There is a company that has taken the tweel design and modified it to a honeycomb pattern. It evens out the pressure and smooths the ride slightly. I can't remember where I read about it though; it was last semester sometime, fall '08. Was either jalopnik, treehugger, or autoblog I read it on.

I think you mean Resilient Technologies out of Wausau, Wisconsin. As far as I can tell, they are for military Humvees at this point. Not sure about the downsides, but I would imagine that if your tire got shot in Iraq and these allowed you to make it back to base, they would be worth their weight in gold to you.

almightybmw · 03-05-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyatt

I think you mean Resilient Technologies out of Wausau, Wisconsin. As far as I can tell, they are for military Humvees at this point. Not sure about the downsides, but I would imagine that if your tire got shot in Iraq and these allowed you to make it back to base, they would be worth their weight in gold to you.

Yeap, that's the one. Seems like a better design, although with mud and snow pack I doubt the military cares as much; just drive the piss out of it anyways. Sand and loose dirt are about all I'd want in there. I'd bet the way the tire deflects under pressure it would loosen out anything stuck in there.

shovel · 03-05-2009, 04:00 PM

the biggest concern I see with any consumable, safety-related automotive product is consumer ignorance.

As was pointed out, there are entire cities worth of adult humans unable to wrap their brain around the concept of keeping their tires inflated. Every single day I'm behind at least one car with a tire so low it's making the car pitch to the side... and worn well enough to indicate it's been like that for weeks. Generally when I pass this moving hazard I look over and see the driver's vacuous glazed eyes... well, they have drivers' licenses too.

At least when the tire finally pops they do have to confront the fact that it needs to be replaced.

What of the tweel? Does it have a consistent/predictable/"safe"? failure point when it has outlived its usefulness or been damaged as a result of collision, abuse, or chance encounter with debris?

vtec-e · 03-05-2009, 10:28 PM

Yup. I had a mate call in one day with the tread gone on a front tire. I checked pressure and there was none! It was a run flat! He didn't know it was and neither did i as there was nothing written on the sidewall to that effect.
So here is a tire designed to get you home in an emergency and still people push it beyond the limits.
I think there is merit in the tweel but all the above problems need to be addressed for it to work. And i sure hope we get the option of choosing a tire with a "higher pressure" if you know what i mean. It'll be no use to us with a simulated 32 psi will it?

ollie

Frank Lee · 03-05-2009, 11:04 PM

Depends on the R.R.

NeilBlanchard · 03-06-2009, 08:43 AM

Hello,

Quote:

Originally Posted by almightybmw

Yeap, that's the one. Seems like a better design, although with mud and snow pack I doubt the military cares as much; just drive the piss out of it anyways. Sand and loose dirt are about all I'd want in there. I'd bet the way the tire deflects under pressure it would loosen out anything stuck in there.

I think you are underestimating the power of centrifugal force!

Frank Lee · 03-06-2009, 09:38 AM

I don't think a faux sidewall for the purpose of keeping gook out is a big technical hurdle.

They wouldn't want to show such a thing in their early publicity shots because that wouldn't be at all eyecatching.

almightybmw · 03-07-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hello,

I think you are underestimating the power of centrifugal force!

Nope, certainly ain't! I've driven from Fairbanks to Anchorage, (AK) with snow packed in my steel rims. It did not come out.

Somewhere I have a picture of snow/ice/dirty water buildup on my GP from a recent road trip. The centrifugal force created an amazing design on the rims spreading out from the lug nuts. It was like watching icicles form at 90* arcs. I'm sure you can imagine what it looked like. Anyways, it didn't fly off, it held on for about 350 miles, Denver to Northern WY. I'm sure it re-accumulated along the way, but I was watching it with my mirrors since Fort Collins, CO.

I'll see if I can find the pictures....

almightybmw · 03-07-2009, 02:03 PM

Okay, the thumbnail is a picture from going to Seattle, stopped at Cour De 'Alene for fuel. You can see the mild beginnings.

Here we go for the stop at Sheridan, WY:

Granted this is ice buildup, not snowpack. But nevertheless I still feel the buildup would create problems. A cover would solve that easily, AFTER the awesome PR pictures have been taken.