# Re-Invented Wheel--good idea or cheap gimmick?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-invented-wheel-good-idea-or-cheap-gimmick/285197>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [January 17, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-invented-wheel-good-idea-or-cheap-gimmick/285197 "2005-01-17T15:16:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-invented-wheel-good-idea-or-cheap-gimmick/285197/1 "2005-01-17T15:16:24Z")

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[CLICK HERE FOR NEWS LINK](http://www.smh.com.au/news/News/The-wheel-gets-reinvented/2005/01/13/1105582681778.html?oneclick=true)

Supposedly, this new technology combines tires & wheels, to the betterment of both.

I’m skeptical. Braking might be a problem, & what about wear & tear? :dubious:

Your thoughts?

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**Author:** ![badmana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@badmana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badmana)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-invented-wheel-good-idea-or-cheap-gimmick/285197/2 "2005-01-17T15:21:37Z")

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Needs registration but I know what you’re talking about.

I think it could be turned into a very excellent wheel-replacement. If they can stiffen lateral movement while keeping it soft enough, it would improve handling while maintaining ride comfort (something I pay dearly for with low profile racing tires).

Also, not having to worry about air pressure is probably it’s biggest selling point for regular drivers. Many vehicles today are under inflated increasing gas usage and reducing tire safety.

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**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-invented-wheel-good-idea-or-cheap-gimmick/285197/3 "2005-01-17T15:43:37Z")

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DAMMIT!

That wasn’t there earlier!

Link that works–  
[http://www.ljworld.com/section/toplikar/story/193016](http://www.ljworld.com/section/toplikar/story/193016)

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**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-invented-wheel-good-idea-or-cheap-gimmick/285197/4 "2005-01-17T16:01:56Z")

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The Michelin Tweel looks nifty, but I don’t think we’ll see it in production for another decade. Tire companies take a loooong time to work on stuff. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it on bicycles first.

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**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-invented-wheel-good-idea-or-cheap-gimmick/285197/5 "2005-01-17T17:27:01Z")

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I’d pay for a Tweel retrofit on my Trek Classic Cruiser.