This metal tyre is airless and has been developed in collaboration with NASA

The SMART Tire Company has unveiled details of a new one-of-a-kind bicycle tyre. An airless tyre with a carcass made of nickel-titanium alloy. It was developed in collaboration with NASA and is based on the tyres used on the robot Rovers sent to Mars and the Moon.

Metl, a tyre that changes the rules

The tyre is called Metl and can be used in any discipline, from road to MTB. The material from which it is made is a nickel-titanium alloy with highly elastic properties and the ability to deform and return to its original shape instantly. Just like traditional rubber and air tyres do.

This polyurethane coated structure offers similar properties to rubber but its grip and durability appears to be far superior in all weather conditions.

As we have already mentioned, this type of tyre was developed by NASA for the Rover missions to the Moon and Mars because of its great capacity for deformation and recovery. They also claim that this material is environmentally friendly due to its great durability and the fact that it does not use rubber.

At the moment we can only see the images that the brand itself has passed on showing us road tyres, but Felt Bicycles is collaborating with SMART Tire Company and soon we could see Melt mountain bike tyres. In addition, the brand intends to have its tyres on scooters and to enter into the automotive industry.

Although at first glance it looks like a very light tyre, there is no declared weight and the brand merely states that it will be very competitive with most conventional alternatives.

There is no further information on availability or pricing at this time, but SMART Tire Company is expected to announce more in a few months' time.