>>>Are they actually solid?<<<<<
They're 100% dense, solid rubber. Years back, I had a bicycle recycling program for teenagers and the regional distributors used to give me all the prototype products they received and didn't want to hold on to. This set is brand new and I can't seem to give it away because the ride is so (to use your word) miserable. They fit the "bullet proof" description pretty well, so I've been trying to force them onto one of my bikes, but I just cannnnnn't ssssssttttttaaaannnnndddddddd ththththe bbbbbbbbbbbbuuuuummmppppppinesssssss!