What if the wheel and the tire were one singular piece? You may think it's an unnecessarily expensive change, having to get a new wheel every time your tire went flat. You'd be right to think that. Though that hasn't stopped manufacturers like Michelin to develop such products, Ideally without air.

The airless tire has been a sought-after idea for years. Often referred to as the Tweel (tire + wheel), I choose to call it an airless tire because I'm an adult that doesn't say silly words like "tweel." Now the French tire company is bringing their first airless tire to the market today.



Don't get too excited, the Michelin Tweel Technologies-developed product is intended only for UTVs. The 26-inch radial tire uses many rubber (or perhaps plastic) spokes to maintain the needed rigidity, instead of pressurized air.

The wheel can reliably conform to the terrain below it, and should a small segment break or cut, the tire doesn't lose its full integrity. The major downside is the max speed limit, which is a measly 37 mph. These features make it an ideal choice for UTVs, which handle difficult terrain regularly.

Currently, there is a 4x137 and a 4x156 bolt pattern option. This is compatible with vehicles like the Can-Am Defender, Kawasaki Mule, and the Polaris Ranger. As things progress, Michelin will be developing additional configurations as to extend to other brands. The company expects to launch these options later this year, possibly early 2019.

Not having to worry about getting a flat tire as you tread over rocky terrain may seem priceless, but there is a very real price tag on these tires. The cost of a single airless Michelin tire is around $750. Once the brand manages such a tire for recreational road vehicles, I can imagine the price will be even higher.