Different Types of Wheelchair Wheels | Helpful Guide |

People see a wheelchair as a mobility device but it’s more than that. It is a very complex device with different variations of seats, armrests, footrests, backrests, headrests, and different types of wheelchair wheels.

Every wheelchair is made for its special purpose and wheels play an important role in that. Just as we have different types of wheelchairs just like that, we also have different types of wheelchairs wheels, and tires. Those wheels are made for a specific reason and have their own reason to have.

For example, some wheelchair wheels are lightweight while others are made to support weight, some can go faster than others while some can have flat-free tires that can provide you support to every type of terrain.

We define everything that will help to understand every and each type of wheelchair wheel. So, without wasting any time let’s let to it.

types of wheelchair wheels

Types of Wheelchair Wheels:

Before getting into wheelchair wheels, we need to understand the types of wheelchairs. the types of wheelchairs play an important role in wheelchairs wheels types in an electric wheelchair some wheelchair is designed to have small wheels while other has big wheels.

So, to understand wheelchairs wheels and their types we need to know their types so let’s get to it.

Types of Wheelchairs:

There are two main types of wheelchairs on the market right now. The first one is a manual wheelchair while the other is an electric wheelchair. The manual wheelchair has different subparts which are used for different purposes.

All those different types of wheelchairs have two wheels, the wheelchair’s rear wheels are big and the front wheels are small. Electric wheelchair then has three sub-parts.

The first one is front-wheel drive. Why this is called a front wheel because it has all the setup and mechanics in its front wheels. It is suitable for indoor use. You can also use it outdoors as well.

The second one is Mid wheel. In this wheelchair, most of the configuration is found in the middle wheelchair. The turning radius is very tight and you can use it in narrow doorways. It is suitable for the outdoors.

The third one is the rear wheel. In this wheelchair, all the systems and motors are fitted in the bad of the wheelchair. This type of wheelchair is suitable for rough terrain and bumpy roads.

Wheels of Wheelchair:

The most wheelchair has four wheels of which two are in the front while two are in the rear. The rear wheels are also called drive wheels because they use them to drive the wheelchair.

Most wheelchair wheels are made of carbon steel which makes them reliable and suitable for heavy use. Some of them are made from aluminum which is lightweight but not as strong as carbon steel.

The wheelchair wheels are related to its tires and know by which type of tires are on the wheels. Actually, wheelchair wheels are also known for their tires.

There are different types of wheelchair tires are available in the wheelchair wheels so we also discuss those too. There are basically three types of wheels in the wheelchair and those are defined in the given article below.

Also Read: What is a Wheelchair Basically Used For?

Pneumatic Wheelchair Wheels:

This is one of the most common types of wheelchair wheels tire. This is normally found in a manual wheelchair and it’s also called mag wheelchair wheels.

It tires have an inner tube that is inflatable, so you can inflate it whenever it is out of the air. These wheels are very light and suitable for both indoors and outdoors.

The air-filled tubes are good and can give you some shock absorber. They are also easy to carry around and you can also change them whenever you needed them and also can be found in wheelchair rear wheels and front wheels.

It also makes the wheelchair lightweight as compared to other wheels, so you can carry it around easily.

It also has some cons like you need to check the air pressure from time to time and there is also the risk of a flat tire which can leave you standing in the middle of nowhere.

You can also fix the puncture with a patch but it will lose only a couple of months.

Anti-Puncture Wheels:

Some of the tires of the wheelchair wheels are made from polyurethane or urethane. These type of tires are very solid and flat-free, which means it doesn’t get punctured and are puncture-proof.

So you don’t have to check the power air in the tires constantly.

These wheels are very strong and sturdy as compared to other wheelchair wheels and tyres and are also good for supporting a heavy-weight person with ease. The support capacity in this wheelchair is way more than the other wheelchair.

It also has some cons like the weight of these wheels’ tires being heavier than as compared to pneumatic tires. They usually have a 2 to 4lbs difference.

It also makes it harder to maneuver in tight spaces. They are expensive when you compare them to pneumatic tires.

Spoked Wheels:

Spoke is types of wheels for wheelchairs that have one of the highest-performance wheels available in wheelchairs. This wheel is usually used in sports wheelchairs.

It increases the speed of wheelchairs and also provides better performance and maneuvering while you are speeding.

The reason this wheelchair is faster than other wheelchairs is that these spoked wheels produced bursts of energy when you propelled it.

These high-performance wheels are made especially for sports athletes which help them to move faster but safer. The material used in these wheels is strong and sturdy yet lightweight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which are the Types of Wheels in Wheelchairs?

There are basically three types of wheelchair wheels. The first one is pneumatic wheels, the second is solid tires and the third one is rubber tires.

Are all Wheelchair Wheels the Same?

Wheelchair has different types and sizes of wheelchairs wheels. A normal and Stand wheelchair has 24 inches of wheels but a power wheelchair has 18 inches of wheels.

What Wheels are Best for Wheelchairs?

Wheels depend upon your usage. If the patient is lightweight then you should consider lightweight wheels because of their easy push. If you use the wheelchair outdoors most of the time then you should get solid tires that give you proper support.

Conclusion:

Just like wheelchairs we also have different types of wheelchair wheels. Those wheels are made to differ from one another to provide different abilities. The wheelchair wheels have features from which you can choose it.

Some of the features make it fast and lightweight while others make it strong and sturdy. So read properly and make a selection on what you like to have in your wheelchair.

If you have any queries related to wheelchair wheels or wheelchair tries then ask them in the comment section and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

In the end, I just want to say please protect nature from destruction.

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