Are wheelchair wheels interchangeable?

The fear of every motorist is having to raise another money to buy new spare parts when things go wrong with the original ones. I know you would say not everybody though. Yeah, I know but don’t forget that everybody cannot be Bill Gate or Elon musk, or Li Xiting. This kind of feeling is mutual with wheelchair users too especially when they have to change the most valuable part of their wheelchair – the wheels.

Wheelchair wheels are usually very expensive so don’t be surprised if you see wheelchair users asking questions like, “are wheelchair wheels interchangeable?” instead of planning on getting a new one. I will be providing answers to this question in this article. keep reading for details!

Can you interchange wheelchair wheels?

No, you cannot interchange wheelchair wheels. This may come as sad news to many wheelchair users, but it is just a sad reality that they have to make peace with. However, when you are talking about the wheelchair spindle, (the metal that connects the main body to the chair) then you can be considering interchanging or replacing the part.

Can you replace the wheels on a wheelchair?

Yes, you can replace wheels on a wheelchair. It may not be possible for you to interchange the wheels of your wheelchair, but I can assure you that you can replace the wheels. The exciting part of the whole replacement process is that you do not need the help of an expert to replace the wheels as long as you have the right tools for the job. Although I may not take you through the process in this article, you will have all the information that can help you through the process. Read on!

What are wheelchairs wheel made of?

The wheel of a wheelchair consists of several components made with different materials. The materials of each component will be stated below.

• Tires

Most wheelchairs wheel are either pneumatic(air-filled) or made of solid rubber. Solid rubber wheels are commonly seen on standard wheelchairs and at times, they use them for lightweight chairs too. These kinds of wheels have a very low wear rate and are very easy to maintain.

The pneumatic tires on the other hand are commonly used for ultralight wheelchairs and you can also see them on lightweight wheelchairs too. These kinds of tires are known for such qualities as, low weight, low rolling resistance, and soft ride. However, unlike solid rubber, they are vulnerable to wear and tear.

• Rim

The rim of wheelchairs is made with lightweight materials like aluminum.

• Spokes

The spokes of wheelchairs are usually 24 to 36 in number and are made with metals.

How long do wheelchair wheels last?

Unfortunately, I cannot give you the exact lifespan of a wheelchair wheel, but in general, a wheelchair is expected to last for 4 to 5 years. Depending on how often they are used and how properly they are maintained. With this kind of information, you should be able to tell the likely lifespan of your wheels because the factors mentioned earlier are also applicable to them.

When the wheelchair is not moving

If you are using a manual wheelchair, your chances of having problems with mobility are very slim because all the parts are designed to be manually operated and therefore, there will be no complicated settings. Should in case your wheelchair refuses to move, check the pressure. If it is too low, you may find it difficult to propel it forward, and if it is too high, it may affect the tire — the can wear out or burst. To assist you with the gauging, check the recommended tire pressure printed on the tire by the manufacturer.

As for power wheelchairs, a lot could go wrong with them because they are automated which means they work with certain settings. If this setting is wrongly altered, it may affect their controllability. Check below for full details.

• Electrical faults

Powered or automated wheelchairs usually develop electrical issues. This may come in a variety of ways. It can come in the form of a loose connection, unpredictable responsiveness, and non-functioning parts. Therefore, after doing what is expected of you, that is, if this happens after you have the battery fully charged, and you have put the freewheel lever in the locked position, then the problem must have emanated from the electrical connections.

• Replacement part

No matter how careful you are with your wheelchair, at some point, you will have to change some parts when they are worn out or they get damaged. If you are finding it difficult to maneuver your wheelchair, it may be as a result of damage to one of its components. There are several ways damages can occur, but the most common is frequent ramming into bumps or collisions. In situations like this, the caster forks may become loose or the wheels may bend slightly which could warrant replacement.

• Battery issues

Automated or electric wheelchairs work on battery power. Without the battery, they will not work. Even though the battery is an indispensable part of a powered wheelchair, that does not mean that sometimes, they don’t develop problems. The problem may come in varying ways. The battery may need to be charged or the battery can no longer store power. If this happens, your wheelchair may not move. In the first case, all you have to do is charge the battery and in the second case, you may need to change the battery.

How wide are wheelchair wheels?

For a manual wheelchair, the standard wheel size is 61cm while that of a powered wheelchair is 45cm. The standard size for caster wheels on manual wheelchair range from 6 to 7cm.

Are all wheelchairs wheel the same?

No, wheelchairs do not come with the same wheel sizes. They come in various sizes but there’s a standard size for each type of wheelchair. Refer to the above section for more details about the standard sizes.

How to measure wheelchair wheels

To determine the right measurement of a wheelchair for you, stretch your hand to the rear of your wheelchair. If you can touch the axis with your fingertips, then that means there is enough overlap between the hoop and your body. According to the rule of thumb, this means there’s good power handling and sufficient hoop range.

You may be wondering if this analysis is really necessary. Well, there’s a theory that if your body is compatible with your wheel size, then you will only need a few strokes to maneuver the wheel and fewer strokes translate to less burden on your shoulder, wrist, and arms.

Different types of wheelchair wheels

Wheelchair wheels (tires) are of different types, when having pneumatic tires, anti-puncture tires, spoke, and high-performance wheels.

How to tighten wheelchairs wheel

1. Carry out a general check on the wheels to determine which of them needs to be tightened.
2. Once you figured out the loose bolt, tighten the outer end with a socket wrench.
3. Go to the back of the chair and close the nut with a 19mm wrench.