reTyre - Development of enhanced components for the Modular Tyre System

The underlying idea of the project is to further develop the technologies of removable and interchangeable bicycle tyre surfaces with a more robust joining mechanism to increase the product lifetime, reliability, user satisfaction and ultimately product uptake. Furthermore develop customized tools for mass production with increased scalability in terms of dimensions and variations in the products. Improvements in product components, QC and testing methods, and ease-of-use will enhance the modular deck system's capability for new vehicles and market segments. reTyre is a tyre system that incorporates detachable tread surfaces for bicycles, wheelchairs, E-scooters and strollers which allow the user to quickly and easily change their tyre surface without removing the tyre itself. The method and technology are patented, and reTyre is the first to achieve a fully viable and scalable modular tyre system. The technology can also be utilized for scooters and motorcycles. The modular tyre system provides benefits for the whole value chain: from more sustainable tyre manufacturing, better differentiation and function for the bicycle manufacturer, increased aftermarket opportunities for the retailer and a better biking experience for the user. The project started in Q1 2019 and involves a number of innovation processes within material use, component design, product design / product technology and production technologies. The project has already achieved positive results in several of these processes, many of which have already been implemented. Among the implemented results, the use of stainless steel in the zipper can be mentioned, which means a significant industrial innovation. Alternative attachment means for detachable tyre treads for public e-bikes and e-scooters has also been developed and was implemented to the market during Q1 2022.You can see it here https://www.alt.no/na-har-tier-endelig-piggene-ute-reduserer-skader/s/5-128-261885 Another crucial result from this project is the contribution it has had on the development of the "Substantial Flat Moulding" (SFM)-technology which allows to mould tyres in a linear geometry in injection moulding machines that further enables manufacturing of tyres in an much more automatic way and with recycleable materials.This technology started with the desire to improve skin production quality and efficiency. Retyre AS is now a company with ambitions to have fully automated production of tyres in Norway

The project has been crucial to enable Retyre AS to establish products, production processes and operational production lines. Retyre has been able to successfully launch base tyres and 5 sets of skins for each 26", 27.5", 28" and 29" size bicycle tyres (reTyre ONE, Gravel Chaser, Trail Rider, Winter Traveler, Ice Racer and Nordic Commuter), reTyre Traction for Wheelchair sizes 24", 25" and 26", Retyre Grippy for Strollers and Retyre Stinger for E-Scooters. Modular systems for bicycles, wheelchairs, strollers and E-scooter all have different mounting mechanism and among them 2 unique patents. It can be mentioned that the reTyre skin Winter Traveler was awarded best Winter Tyre for Bicycles by German ADAC, beating famous brands like Schwalbe. This achievement would be impossible without the improvements in product and processes from this project Furthermore, the SFM technology that has partly been enabled by this project har propelled Retyre AS into much more lucrative business case, where we have totally 3 patents on a brand new production technology for normal tyres that can be fully automated, have local production and produce with recycleable materials, like TPE's.

The underlying idea of the project is to further develop the technologies of removable and interchangeable bicycle tyre surfaces with a more robust joining mechanism to increase the product lifetime, reliability, user satisfaction and ultimately product uptake. Furthermore develop customized tools for mass production with increased scalability in terms of dimensions and variations in the products. reTyre is a tyre system that incorporates detachable tread surfaces for bicycles and wheelchairs which allow the user to quickly and easily change their tyre surface without removing the tyre itself. The method and technology are patented, and reTyre is the first to achieve a fully viable and scalable modular tyre system. The technology can also be utilized for scooters, motorcycles and strollers. The modular tyre system provides benefits for the whole value chain: from more sustainable tyre manufacturing, better differentiation and function for the bicycle manufacturer, increased aftermarket opportunities for the retailer and a better biking experience for the user. To realise the full potential of the modular tyre innovation, it is necessary that system is functioning perfectly and does not stand back to competing products. The customer must never experience that a zipper fails them and the fit between the inner tyre and skin must be perfect every time.