Wheelchair Wheels

Wheelchair wheels are a vital component to wheelchairs. After all, without the wheels you would not be going from one location to the next. Many people assume that all wheelchair wheels are the same. Did you know that the type of wheelchair and the use of the wheelchair will determine what types of wheels are best? There are several factors to keep in mind when purchasing wheelchair wheels.

If you view a wheelchair you will see that the two back wheels are larger than the two front wheels for the majority of models. However, if the wheelchair is being pushed by an assistant, it is best to get wheels that are the same size if the model of the chair will accommodate them. Equal size chairs make it easier for someone to push the wheelchair. However, if you are going to be propelling the wheelchair smaller front tires will make it easier to maneuver and control.

Will the wheelchair be primarily used indoors or outdoors? Indoor tires should have a smooth tread on them and are typically thinner than outdoor tires. Outdoor tires withstand more ruggedness such as rough parking lots and ramps. These tires should have some knobby tread and be wider in width than the indoor use wheelchair tires.

There are two basic types of wheelchair tires which are pneumatic and puncture proof. The pneumatic tires are traditionally more light weight and have an easier tube to change out in case of a flat tire. Additionally, they are more shock absorbent and ride better on outdoor terrains. The disadvantage is to maintain the PSI for the tires and replace tubes and the tires as often as every six months. The puncture proof tires have a solid insert which will keep them from going flat and are ideal for wheelchairs because the same inserts can typically be used repeatedly. The biggest disadvantage is having to replace the whole tire instead of the inserts which are difficult and costly to exchange out. For more on wheelchairs check out www.WheelChairMotion.com.