Airless Tires Are Made Of Urethane
Airless tires today can be either bicycle, wheelchair, wheelbarrow or many other tires that are made from what is called a "Spin Cast" process. This method allows the tires to be balanced and the spinning compresses the urethane making it denser the faster it spins. Tires made this way are used for low speed and low weight situations. Airless tires are usually fitted to a rim by "snapping" into place or being "sandwiched" by hub halves.
Tires made from injection molding are called "solid tires" and are used on Forklifts or skate wheels and everything in between so they will be discussed in another article.
Airless tires are made by a number of manufacturers throughout out the world. All spin cast urethane tires have a degree of bounce to them with some manufacturers tires being more springy than others. While there is air trapped in the urethane, the material used plays a larger role in how the tire will behave under the load of a rider.
Today's' airless tires are safe when properly installed and will give years of reliable service in almost all situations. The best ones have "cords" inside them that keep the tires on the rims.
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