Originally Posted by
prj71
That video was posted in August 2016 and indicated that the tire would be available on the 2017 Specialized Alibi bike; and according to the website they are now selling that bike with the tire pre-installed. So we will see if it catches on and gets extended to other Specialized bikes or the idea is copied by other bike brands. Obviously they are marketing it first to casual riders who don't want the inconvenience of flats and it remains to be seen if utility riders like commuters will buy in. I'm a bit more leaning towards it becoming "a thing" within 5 years, now that a major bike brand is trying it out. I couldn't find any information on how you replace it if it wears out or you don't like it, or if it is vulnerable to popping off under stress. That may not matter to the most casual riders but of course it would to any of us who are higher mileage types.
It's true that solid tires have not caught on in the past, but the same has happened with lots of innovations that didn't succeed until the technology was good enough or other conditions were right, an obvious example being the electric car, which has been lurking in the wings for over 100 years, with many false starts, and is now finally breaking through.