reTyre Urban Winter is launching this winter and is first product in our coming reTyre product range. It is a detachable spiked winter surface that can easily be mounted on any summer tyre. It makes winter biking easier and more affordable for the user, and uses zipper for quick and intuitive attachment. The SME-1-project has successfully verified the patented technology, and the entrepreneurial opportunity of reTyre.
The problem:
Changing a tyre is so labor intensive that most cyclists use the same tyre for every purpose, and under any road and weather condition, resulting in a significantly reduced cycling experience. Understanding that only the tread pattern and rubber composition is significant in defining the tyre characteristics, we have developed a tyre system which can change its tread in seconds while still mounted on the bicycle. Thus completely eliminating the need for changing the tyre, and making the process as easy as changing shoes.
Our patented technology solves the following;
Environmental problem: It is mainly the tread surface that define the tyre characteristic and it is unnecessary, both economically and environmentally, to dispose of an entire tyre when only the tread surface needs to be changed. Our invention allows for the tread surface to be easily replaced when it is worn out, drastically reducing the rubber waste and improving the product life cycle.
Industrial problem: The use of carcass, support material, and puncture resistant materials in tyres result in a highly manual and labor intensive manufacturing process. The fact that every single bicycle tyre is manually made result in a high cost for the end customer and low scaling opportunities for the manufacturer. Our tread surfaces do not use such materials since they are only part of the base tyre. Because of this we can have automated production with lower cost and higher efficient, resulting in a lower cost for the end costumer.
Social problem: Bicycle tyres are inherently difficult to change, and most cyclists will therefor avoid this. Reduced grip, increased rolling resistance, and reduced user experience are three common results from using a wrong type of tyre. This results in a higher barrier towards cycling, having an adverse effect on both the environment and public health. The reTyre system will allow easy and fast customization of the tyre, giving improved user experience and adaptability towards changing weather conditions, road conditions and area of use.
Our overall objectives:
Verify technology
reTyre use state of the art materials and mechanisms to achieve a bicycle tyre with a separate, and fully detachable, thread surface. The technology is tested in both lab and field, and with pilot customers. It is proven to be durable and functional, as well as achieve the expected goals.
Prepare for commercialization
During the project period, the commercial opportunity of the reTyre product range has been evaluated and tested in Norway and for the European market. Multiple large, multinational, sports retail chains have ordered our Urban Winter model and expressed a strong interest for our coming product line.
Finalize customer agreements
During the project period, we have achieved pre-orders of almost 6000 units.
Prepare for production
During the project period a trial production of 10 000 units has begun.
