Date:         Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:19 -0500
Reply-To:     craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Michelin's new tire designs
Comments: To: John Rodgers <inua@charter.net>
In-Reply-To:  <493F479C.5060707@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I saw this idea a while back and predict the cost of production will just be
ridiculous. If they do produce them, people and car companies will buy them,
but they won't put the regular tire out of business for a while....
It is worth noting, that this very concept would undermine the very very
large aftermarket rim industry, not to mention the variety of internal hubs
that would need to be made, a large undertaking for a tire company. I know
some of you are thinking "well, the market will adapt. The manufacturers
will sell this just as a tire, and the internal hub/"deformation spoke
wheel" can still be produced by aftermarket companies". The biggest flaw i
see in this is how they attach the "tire" to the "rim".... without
airpressure holding it in place, they must have some FANTASTIC glue in
mind...
Not to mention the material that composes the spokes and choice of what
seems to be aluminum for what's supposed to be a "deformation spoke wheel".
I see work-hardening as a serious problem in longevity unless they also have
a miracle composite in mind.


It's a cool prototype, an ingenious concept, but in today's economy i cannot
see this happening anytime soon.
Unless they have the amazing glue, spectacular composite, and absurdly cheep
means of production....


-Craig
'85GL turned WESTY


On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 11:37 PM, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote:

> This staggers the imagination.
>
> http://www.shadetreemechanic.com/michelin_new_tire_design.htm
>
> Would anyone want these on a Vanagon??
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
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