Anyone who’s gotten a flat tire on their bike before knows how painful it can be to change it out. However, if you’re running runflat tires, this won’t be a problem, since your tire won’t have any innertube or air chamber at all.
This airless bicycle tire concept is by Colorado-based designer Brian Russell. The tire would eliminate the need for air, preventing punctures, tube replacement, and pressure checks. The Energy Return Wheel (or ERW) uses rubber that’s stretched over a series of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite rods to provide cushioning. These rods can be adjusted to change the tension in the tire to suit different terrain.
While it won’t be suited to all terrains, it should work pretty well in most situations.
For now it’s just a prototype, but I have no doubt that this, or something very similar will be made someday.