Your wheelchair is as good as its wheels hence the need to know the best options for your vehicle. Ideally, the choice of wheels you make depends upon several factors, including the terrain you are bound to use, your environs, and of course, your activities, indoors and outdoors.
As you buy your wheels, it is also important to know that if you suffer from spinal injuries or neuron disorders, you should avoid situations where your spine is exposed to unwarranted vibrations. This article will come in handy to offer you critical tips that can help you make an informed decision when buying your wheels.
Your riding experience, to some extent, often depends on your wheels. How smooth your ride is, or even your speed, depends on your wheels. As such, making the right choice is important, and it is not as easy as it might appear. It is always advisable to engage an expert before you make a choice. This way, you make an informed decision.
Some of the factors you have to consider when buying wheelchair wheels include the following:
The Components of Wheelchair Wheels
If you are looking for wheels for a manual chair, these come in two pairs:
- Front steering wheels
- Drive wheels at the rear
Electric wheelchairs, on the other hand, have three pairs depending on the innovative technology involved.
- A pair of drive wheels
- One or two caster pairs
The rear wheels comprise a hub, a rim, spokes, and tyres. The hub is placed at the centre and is connected to the rim with spokes, and the tyre is mounted on the rim.
Spoke wheels resemble bicycle wheels and are either radial or crossed. They come with 24 to 36 spokes, while mag wheels, on the other hand, have less than ten spokes and comprise synthetic materials.
Standard wheelchairs come with a pair of back wheels and an extra pair of caster wheels. The back wheels have quick-release axles that make it easy to handle this chair.
Another important factor you have to consider when selecting your wheels is their weight and, of course, the area you intend to use them. Ideally, mag wheels are heavier than spoke wheels but spoke wheels are relatively more expensive to maintain. Mag wheels require little maintenance and can do well in the harshest conditions.
Wheel Size In Relation To Wheelchair Size
Wheelchairs come in the following sizes:
- 24 inches which is the standard adult size for manual wheelchairs.
- 18 inches for a standard electric wheelchair
- Standard caster wheels start from 3-6 inches.
The diameter and the wheel of the tyre determine how smooth and comfortable your ride is. It also affects how you move the wheel hence the need to get the option that offers you the best output in this regard.
For electric wheelchairs, the wheels are smaller but made of a thicker and more durable material. Even better, these chairs come with an extra set of wheels.
Aligning and Truing
Wheelchair alignment is very important to not the health of your wheelchair but also your riding experience. It contributes to the chair’s stability, navigation, and how long the tyres run. When aligning your chair’s wheels, it is imperative to consider the following:
- Camber- this occurs when rear wheels tilt inwards or outwards from the vertical plane. This allows you to easily propel the chair while protecting your fingers when passing through doors.
- Toe-in and toe-out – this means the rear wheel can no longer run parallel. This should be avoided since it limits effective wheel rolling, which eventually wears out the tyres.
- Truing – this prevents wobbly spinning of the wheels, which can limit effective movement. It is common with spoke wheels when spokes are distorted.
Type of Tyres
Wheelchair tyres are of different types which come in different sizes. These include the following:
- Solid tyres – they are made of solid rubber, and although they are easy to maintain, they do not offer the smoothest rides.
- Flat-free – these are filled with foam or rubber and do not become flat. They are softer than solid wheels meaning softer rides.
- Pneumatic tyres – These wheels are filled with air and become flat when punctured. However, they offer the softest solids of the three.