This airless tire promises up to 20,000 km of maintenance-free riding. — Supreme Dutch
Dutch manufacturer Supreme Dutch specialises in airless bicycle tires made entirely from foam. After more than 10 years of research and development, and an exclusive, multi-year partnership with German manufacturer Schwalbe, it now offers its products directly to professionals.
Today, its tires are aimed primarily at bike-sharing fleets, delivery companies and cargo bike operators, for whom reliability and reduced maintenance costs are essential. In addition to Europe, Supreme Dutch is now aiming to expand into the South and North American markets.
The idea behind these Airless System tires is the promise of never going flat and zero maintenance. According to the manufacturer, these tires guarantee a comfortable riding experience, equivalent to that of a conventional tire inflated to 3.5 bar, and can be ridden for up to 20,000 km, even in the face of shocks and in extreme conditions (temperatures as low as -20°C). Compatible with both conventional and electric bicycles, on wheels from 20 to 28 inches, these tires are also fully recyclable at the end of their life.
By offering innovative, reliable and environmentally-friendly solutions, Supreme Dutch aims to become a key player in the ecological transition in the urban transport sector. And it is not alone in offering sustainable solutions in this sector.
The European Union regulation on deforestation-free products could have a positive impact on bicycle tires, by considerably reducing the use of rubber in their manufacture and promoting the use of recycled materials. This is already the case for products developed by the German giant Schwalbe and Norway's reTyre.
As for alternatives, there are already several synthetic rubbers offering good wear resistance, as well as alternative materials such as graphene or others based on natural fibers like flax and hemp. In the US, a tire has even been designed from a novel alloy that's stretchy like rubber and as strong as titanium. – AFP Relaxnews
