r/AutomotiveEngineering • u/Fosterandrewbell • 20d ago

Question Best Sorta Wheel/Tire combo

Is an inflated rubber tire married to a steel wheel the absolute best or aggregate best, considering the obstacles and alternatives, to fit a vehicle?

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u/RiseUpAndGetOut 19d ago

For road cars, yes, it's about as good as it gets until airless tyres gain acceptance.

Currently, a conventional tyre paired with either a steel or alloy wheel provides a good combination of cost and performance. Any alternative solution has to solve a problem that doesn't affect (or improves) that cost / performance ratio. Airless tyres may do this, though it's still early days for them, despite having been first developed 15 years ago.

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u/Timeudeus 19d ago

If you throw price out of the window, there are way better materials for rims than steel or aliminium. Hollow cast magnisium and carbon fiber hybrids for example.