I was at a friends house the other day, and she showed me a racing bike in her basement. (I did not know she ever raced or even rode). I can't remember the brand of the bike, but she told me that the tires are actually glued to the wheels somehow? Is this still done?

She would love to replace those wheels with more usual tires for riding, but every few years she takes it to a bike store to talk with them about it and they tell her that those are the only wheels that will fit in the fork. That bike cost her almost $3k years ago - it is truly a pity she can't re-fit it like she would like because she refuses to buy another bike.

I am curious about this whole "glue the tire to the wheel" thing - what would be the purpose of this? Are they airless tires perhaps?