Ray Pantling, owner of Tyres Direct in Bletchley, talks through three exciting new developments in the world of tyres and wheels…

Bridgestone tyre company, based in Tokyo, have designed an air-free, puncture-proof bicycle wheel and tyre.

It uses a structure of spokes that stretch along the inner sides of tyres to support the user’s weight.

The tyres are made from thermoplastic rubber, which is fully recyclable.

Another amazing new design is a set of all terrain wheels to help farmers in the rural areas in Africa to carry heavier loads to market, to replace the traditional method of ‘head carrying’, which sees women and children carry heavy loads to market on their heads and backs.

The wheel tyre uses stainless steel components to form a flexible cage wheel, which is able to expand using a level to crank a central shaft with a mechanism similar to a scissor jack – a device used to
raise cars for minor work.

The last design is inspired by the Apollo lunar tyres. NASA initially developed it for future missions to Mars, but now it is also seen as an alternative to our ordinary air-filled tyres.

Developed jointly by Goodyear and NASA, the super-lastic tyre is composed of shape memory alloys that can withstand high strain and excessive deformation without permanent damage.

You can find Ray at Tyres Direct, Unit 51, Barton Road, Water Eaton Industrial Estate, Bletchley, MK2 3BN. For more information follow @TyresDirectBletch on Facebook or visit the website http://www.bletchleytyres.co.uk

This feature was published in the September 2020 issue of Celebrate:MK lifestyle magazine. Read the full magazine above or by clicking on this link.