Wheelchair Tires

Selecting wheelchair tires plays a very important role in the safety and comfort of the wheelchair user. In fact, the type of tire you will decide to use can dramatically affect and influence the maneuverability, control, speed and smoothness of your ride. Of course, the aesthetic values should also be put into consideration since your wheelchair it is basically your primary mode of transportation, you naturally want it to be presentable wherever you go.

There are basically two types of wheelchair tires: pneumatic and airlines tires and are known to cost roughly around $ 15 – $ 50 per tire. To help you decide which type of wheelchair tires would be the best choice for your particular wheelchair, read on and find a few more helpful facts to help narrow down your selection.

Pneumatic Tires

Like all other tires found in bicycles and other vehicles, pneumatic tires are filled with air and are lightweight enough, which makes it supremely easy to maneuver around without too much bumps. It is made of a tire shell as well as the wheelchair tire tube that contains the air and ensure smoother ride even in rough surfaces. The gray rubber used in the tire shells is specifically chosen material to effectively avoid leaving scuffmarks on the surfaces.

However, as in most cases, the main drawback of choosing air filled tires is its vulnerability to punctures and the all too real possibility of flat tires. In situations when flat tires occur, patching is generally the standard practice but for repeated and severe punctures, you may need to purchase some replacement for the inner tube, which may cost around $ 3 - $ 6 apiece. While this might be easily considered a measly expense on your part, a person with limited mobility can be greatly hampered with a flat tire and would require some assistance.

Airless Tires

As the name suggests, this type of tire does not require air, and is instead filled with plastic, foam or rubber. Since airless wheelchair tires are not prone to punctures, it is more durable and lasts longer than pneumatic tires. However, when it comes to the quality of your ride, airless tires cannot quite compete with pneumatics. Still, it is one of today’s popular choices when it comes to tires for power wheelchairs, which are specifically designed for both indoor and outdoor use.

There are currently three types of airless tires available in the healthcare market today: solid tires, foam, and the semi-pneumatic ones. The most durable ones are the sold tires, which are made of rubber or plastic but also come with a considerably heavier weight. Foam tires are generally constructed suing the pneumatic tire tubes that are filled with some polyurethane foam instead of mainly using air. As for the semi-pneumatic ones, the casing is largely made with plastic or rubber but also features a ring of air that runs through the center, which provides a great compromise for a smoother ride.

If you are a highly active person who enjoys spending time outdoors, then solid tires may be the most practical choice for you. Pneumatic tires have also been known to wear down more easily and are not usually ideal to be used on uneven surfaces. With solid tires you need not worry about deflated tires and having to contend with constant replacements. However, the main trade off here is the fact that you may feel every bump in the unpaved surfaces. Still is a small price to pay in consideration with the amount to will save from the frequency of replacements the pneumatic tires would require, that can be as often as 2-3 times a month for heavy users.

So knowing the facts presented in the preceding paragraphs, you will hopefully make a significantly wiser and knowledgeable choice for your next wheelchair tire in view of your requirements, lifestyle and personal preference.