Although the new X Tweel Utility Terrain Vehicle airless radial tire and wheel assembly will be offered initially to military customers, they tell me it will be offered for commercial sales by next year.
The X Tweel is a single unit, replacing current tire/wheel/valve assemblies. It performs like a pnuematic tire, except that it doesn’t go flat like a traditional tire. The secret is in the poly-resin spokes which carry the load as well as absorb impacts and reducing bounce. Yet, they aren’t so rigid that they won’t collapse enough to allow the tread to fully grip the surface below the tire.
Tags: Michelin
I feel like the exposed spokes might allow mud to get packed in and throw off the balance. It happens to me with a normal rim on my jeep.
These types of tires are already in use.
It’d be relatively easy to clean though, even on the trail. And even if it does happen it might make the ride a bit less cushiony but they’d still function great as insanely durable tires. With the weight it takes to flex the tire though I’d imagine most clumped mud would squeeze out due to the pressure.
A Jeep has a large diameter and to attain similar speeds has a lower rotation/minute. Quad tires would spit mud out above 12 mph with Tweels. The real question is …. After this much R&D, when can I put them on my Grizzly?
Tipping point, turn radius, traction, degraded vehicle cape
Imagine what the noise would be coming from those at highway speeds.