Getting a puncture is a frustrating experience for any bike rider, but it could soon become a thing of the past. A new set of plastic tires could consign bike pumps and repair kits to the history books. The unique design does away with the air-filled inner tube of conventional tires, in favor of rigid plastic spokes* that support the weight of the bike and its rider. The futuristic looking wheels use thermo-plastic* resin* spokes — a synthetic* material that is flexible when heated and hardens when cooled — which means it can be moulded into a variety of shapes. The spokes stretch between an inner hub and the outer rubber tire, and have been designed to be shock-absorbent* to provide a smooth ride. And because they contain no air, broken glass, sharp metal and other road debris pose no threat of a puncture. They also promise to reduce the amount of effort required to cycle, by lowering the friction between the tire and road surface. Tokyo-based manufacturer Bridgestone says the wheels were created from completely recycled materials. The firm is also working on making the wheels themselves recyclable, to create an eco-friendly and sustainable cycle of production. The wheels are currently a concept design, but the firm is hoping they will be available to buy in 2019. The technology promises to reduce carbon dioxide* emissions in vehicles that adopted them.(SD-Agencies) |