Wheelchair wheels come in all shapes and sizes to fit the appropriate setting and use desired for the chair
Main Drive Wheels Front Casters
Differences within manual wheelchair wheels include:
Measurements:
The measurements of the wheelbase and the track width are two important aspects for the wheelchair user to take into consideration when deciding what chair and wheel combination works best.
The wheelbase is defined as the distance from the casters to the drive wheels of the chair. The track width is defined as the distance between the two drive wheels or the two casters of the chair at their contact points with the ground (Cooper, 1998, p. 37-38).
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The distance of the wheelbase will determine the stability and maneuverability of a wheelchair. These two components, stability and maneuverability, are conversely related and the ideal distance will have to be found based on the needs of the person who uses the wheelchair. A larger wheelbase indicates a chair that is more stable, but with less maneuverability. Conversely a chair that maneuvers really easily has a smaller wheelbase, but the risk of instability rises (Cooper, 1998, p. 38).
The track width of the wheels of the wheelchair determines the stability of the chair. The wider or larger the track width, the more stable the chair. This is most important for manual wheelchairs (Cooper, 1998, p. 37).
Manual wheelchairs have large drive wheels with steel rims and grips, but differences in those wheels can be a major component in improving the individuals functional ability.
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