subject: What You Should Know About Wheelchair High-Pressure Tires [print this page] What You Should Know About Wheelchair High-Pressure Tires
What You Should Know About Wheelchair High-Pressure Tires
Wheelchair tires are made in three categories pneumatic tires and tubes, flat-free tires and tubes and solid tires. Additional equipment to be considered when contemplating the purchase of wheelchair tires are hand or push-rims, small or large button quick-release axles and type of front-wheel casters. (Quick-release axles are for interchanging different size wheels on the same axle.)
High-pressure tires are referred to as one of the following: "primos", "clinchers" and "court- tires". Theyare narrower than the everyday pneumatic tire. The tread pattern is minimal, not as deep as an everyday pneumatic tire while requiring a greater inflation pressure.
While the Shrader-type air valve is the most commonly used valve in the United States,a numberof these tires use the Presta valve that originated in Europe. A converter is required so that they can be filled from a conventional pump with a Shrader-type fitting. This type of tire
requires greater inflation pressures (90 - 110+, psi) as opposed to 65 psifor the everyday tire. Many of the manufacturers recommend these tires being used with increased wheel-camber and have designed the tread to be "off-center" to maintain surface contact.
PROS
The high-pressure tire is narrower than an everyday tire that decreases contact area with the floor (smaller footprint). The treads are fewer and shallower which decreases rolling- resistance. This results in the chair becoming easier to push and rolls further per push.
High-pressure tires are commonly lighter than the standard pneumatics.
Many users prefer to trade-off the softer ride of a conventional pneumatic for the improved push-ability of this type of tire.
Favored by athletes for performance reasons.
Have a "protection-belt" made from natural rubber.
Skid-Free.
Can handle a large amount of broken glass.
CONS
The small volume of air at higher pressure does not afford as much shock absorption, thus it makes for a harder ride than a conventional pneumatic tire.
The smaller "footprint" of the tire may also result in diminished traction on wet or slippery surfaces.
Smaller shallower treads tend to wear out quicker than a conventional pneumatic when used for street use.
May require a valve converter for inflation.
Notes
1. CST Super HP This wheelchair tire requires 90 psi.
2. Primo Racer C This wheelchair tirerequires 110 psi.
