Originally Posted by
RubeRad
Are there any bicycle tires/rims that try to do the 'low profile' thing that performance cars do? With wider rims and low profile tires? Seems that would mitigate low-pressure side-rolling tire issues.
The "tire profile" that relates to cars and trucks (double-track vehicles) specifically relates to tires having a pretty well separated tread area and sidewall area. The tires are more or less flat across the tread area. Because the tires on double-track vehicles don't lean over when turning, more lateral force goes into the tire sidewalls, which is where a shorter, stiffer sidewall can increase cornering traction and performance.
You may notice that single-track vehicles that lean into corners, both bicycles and motorcycles, have tires with a much more rounded cross section. There's really no separate tread and sidewall surface. But because the air volume and contact patch size or so small compared to cars, a "shorter" tire would be much more likely to allow the rim to contact the ground, causing a pinch flat.
*edit* the rounded tire cross section is also why bicycles are not susceptible to hydroplaning, and thus do not require any real "tread" on the tire to work just fine in wet conditions.