These airless bike tires rely on a metal alloy designed for NASA rovers

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These airless bike tires rely on a metal alloy designed for NASA rovers
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The Smart Bike Company's METL tires rely on a NASA-developed alloy material to create an airless tire.

Inflatable rubber tires would not fare well on the surface of the Moon or Mars. The terrain is treacherous, and there’s no one there to throw on a spare if you get a flat. That’s why rovers typically use tires made of metal alloys that can endure the punishment that comes from puttering around on alien soil.

The Smart Tire Company intends for its METL tires to last years into the future, so don’t expect them to be cheap. There’s no official pricing yet, but fancy new alloys derived from NASA research rarely qualify as “affordable.” If the tech takes off, though, it could come down in price as it gains adoption. Until then, be sure to pack an extra tube in your bag because those springtime potholes can be every bit as punishing on a bike tire as brutal Martian terrain.

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